Jody Bremer is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. She received her Masters of Arts in Clinical Psychology with Emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Pepperdine University, Summa Cum Laude in 2004. She received her Bachelor of Arts from Tulane University, Magna Cum Laude. Since embarking on her career, Jody has worked with the Irvine School District as a school therapist, concentrating on working with children and families who are suffering from life changes (divorce, death, etc.) and those with Asperger's Syndrome or other socially challenging needs or skills training. She received her certification at this time as a Skills Facilitator and Coach for Active Parenting of Children ages 5-12, and Active Parenting of Teens ages 13-18. In addition, she has focused for a number of years on working with court-sanctioned substance abusers, ranging from first-time offenders in the PC 1000 group to repeat offenders in the Prop 36 program, offering both individual and group therapy as needed. Jody also worked with domestic violence, offering therapy in crisis capacity to the women and children who sought help at Laura's House, an immediate and short-term shelter and crisis center for domestic violence victims. Jody worked at the Drake Institute, a facility specializing in neurofeedback for the treatment of attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder in children and adults, as well as Asperger's and autism. She has worked as a case manager/program coordinator and supportive care therapist for families involved in the treatment at this facility. In addition, Jody continues to work in private practice, providing long-term and short-term therapy for individuals, children, couples and families with conflicts ranging from major depression, anxiety/panic, OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder), and PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), in addition to marital/familial relationship conflicts. Sex therapy and couples communication counseling remain a strong focus in her practice.

In My Own Words

I consider myself very lucky to be doing what I love. Especially to find it at this middle stage of life. I have experienced a vast array of life's challenges, including a life-threatening childhood illness, a stint as a Marine Corps wife, mother to two fabulous children who, thankfully, are well into and almost past their teen years, and completing my Master's Degree a full 20 years after graduating from high school. During that time, I served as everything from a karate and self-defense instructor (yes, I have a black belt and 2 brown belts!), a personal trainer, a couples/honeymoon/family cruise and vacation travel company owner. Throughout all of my life, one thing has tied everything together-- my love of working with people, and doing what I could to help them achieve their goals. Karate, self-defense, personal training, even travel... all of those career paths prepared me for my eventual road in marriage and family therapy. Helping others. Making people happier than they were, more secure, more confident, more capable.

I have received many academic awards, but my greatest reward is seeing my children grow into responsible, happy and caring, secure and successful adults. Parenting is a challenge, and I can assist you through this most difficult and rewarding of challenges.

I have reached many goals, such as sky-diving before I turned 40, and writing a humorous novel about dating. But my greatest goal would be to see more human beings reach their potential and achieve their own happiness and success, however they measure it. Humans like yourself.

I have experienced great loss. I understand grief and all the stages of denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. I have lived through them all, many times over, and I helped others understand their losses and move forward. I want to help you.

I have experienced great love and the pain that can associated with it. I know that love has many sides, and that love is capable of crippling us as well as lifting us higher than imaginable. You don't need me when you're high, but I will be there for you when love hurts.

Some things in our lives may seem too difficult or private to speak of. Things such as sexual dysfunction or sexual problems. Sex is a crucial part of life. Without it, our species would not propagate. We are also one of the very few species who can actually enjoy our sexuality. If you are not enjoying one of life's greatest sources of pleasures, perhaps you will talk with me and allow me to help you (with or without your partner) understand and demystify the sexual act and provide resources to allow yourself to freely and unihibitedly communicate about and experience sex in possibly a whole new way.

Jody