Jane Skoyen, Ph.D.

My initial goal in therapy is to create a safe and trusting environment, in which self-exploration and change is possible. With a strong collaborative relationship in place, I use techniques from Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Mindfulness, Family Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing to create therapeutic momentum allowing my clients to make progress.

I truly cherish diversity and welcome and affirm clients from all backgrounds and walks of life. Because of this, my approach to therapy is highly customized. I strive to help clients identify their needs and help them get to their goals, by introducing and adjusting coping strategies that would fit well with their sense of identity, values, and life circumstances. With some clients, I conduct a few light-hearted problem-focused coaching sessions; with others, I engage in long-term intensive psychotherapy.

Seeing my clients succeed in reaching their goals is a very rewarding experience. I truly value the opportunity to build collaborative relationships and facilitate the gains that people make in treatment.

I find that most people benefit from increasing self-efficacy in managing their problems. To help my clients do so, I foster self-discovery, help people clarify their values and goals, and introduce them to tools that can help them get there. I want my clients to become more familiar with their internal process and boundaries, their relationship patterns, and their surroundings, so that together we can recalibrate their behavior and internal process to allow for more calm and joy in their lives.

I specialize in stress management, anxiety disorders, and behavioral medicine (treatment of concerns involving both physical and mental wellbeing). I use empirically validated psychotherapy techniques to address psychological concerns, and biofeedback to help clients manage physical symptoms, whether they are related to mental health directly or indirectly. By complementing psychotherapy with brief biofeedback sessions, I help people recognize the impact of stress on their body, and learn to regulate body functioning more directly. Biofeedback can be particularly useful for people dealing with anxiety and panic attacks, as well as chronic pain, tension, and many other health conditions. My research focuses on the mind-body connection and health habits as well. I have conducted studies on emotion-eating, smoking cessation, and pain management, and published on the links between physical health, emotions, and personal relationships.

Outside of work, I enjoy travel and exploration, trying new foods, hands-on experiences, and otherwise stretching the boundaries of my comfort zone.

Society of Behavioral Medicine
Association for Psychological Science