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Jill Soyka, LCSW

Co-founder and Certified EFT Therapist & Supervisor

 

How I work

I love working with individuals! Having the perspective of a trained relationship therapist in your individual therapy is a huge bonus to you. I’m always on your side, but I won’t just take your side (that’s your BFF’s job!). I won’t “diagnose” the people in your life. That would be wrong- I’ve never met them. I simply focus on the person in front of me, and that’s you.

Humans find their best solutions in collaboration with another caring human. I know a lot about relationships, patterns, mental health, and emotional processes, but I also know that YOU are the expert on YOU. 

Finding the best treatment plan to meet your needs is my first pressing goal, even if that plan does not ultimately include me or my services. I’m honest about the benefits and limitations of the services I provide. 

I’m pretty verbal in session. I ask questions, interrupt, redirect…my job is to keep us on track and focused. You have goals and hopes for change, and you don’t just want a quiet listener. I’m fun to chat with, but that’s not what you’re paying me for!  

A typical session starts with me asking if you have something on your agenda, or if we can go back to a relevant topic from our last session. I do my best to link our sessions as we progress, all in service of your goals. Session wrap up usually includes a summary of what we did and how it relates to the big picture. 

I am always happy to answer any questions about myself or the process of therapy, or the therapy models I use: Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). 

About me

I collect psychology-focused books like my Grandma collected refrigerator magnets! Melissa and I spend hours nerding out about this stuff together.

I’m a Mom to 3 kids- post college, college and high school ages. My greatest challenge as a parent in this stage is when to lean in and when to leave it alone.

I’ve been married since 1998. A relative recently asked my husband and me if my training as a couples therapist has helped our marriage. Me: “Huh…I think so?” My husband: “YES!”

My parents divorced when I was 10. Both are remarried, so I know a thing or two about the complexities of family life. I’m my sister’s favorite sister! (also her only sibling, so she’s kinda stuck with me)

I love dogs! We currently have 3. Murphy the “old man” standard poodle is usually by my side. His tail sometimes makes an appearance on zoom calls. 

Professional training and experience BA in psychology, UVA, 1992

  • Masters in Social Work, Child and Family Specialization, VCU, 1994

  • License to practice as a Clinical Social Worker in VA (LCSW), 1997

  • Clinical Supervisor since 1997

  • Certification as an Emotionally Focused Therapist (EFT), 2016

  • Certification as an EFT Supervisor, 2017

  • EMDR trained, 2022

  • Countless hours of training in substance abuse/addiction, couples and family therapy, adolescent therapy, ethics, providing supervision, and emotional regulation.

  • Years of experience (prior to private practice) working with families in inpatient/residential, home-based, and community mental health outpatient services.