The professional therapists at Interior Design Firm: A Psychotherapy Practice possess an extraordinary ability to create an atmosphere of comfort and trust. Unlike a typical conversation with a family member, founder Jennifer Flores says that her team handles obstacles like depression, anxiety and relationship issues “with extreme care, respect and a type of listening that you don’t get from friends or loved ones — we listen to what patients say and what they don’t say.”
By listening to and carefully observing their clients, Interior Design Firm therapists are able to track micro-expressions and look for patterns. “We attune to our own thoughts, feelings and reactions to patients and ascertain whether they might be clinically important, or a sign we’re not being as present with the patient as we could be, and why that might be,” Flores says.
Since opening its doors on Riverside Drive in 2019, the practice has worked to uncover and heal the psychological roots of people’s suffering, focusing on what is happening underneath their symptoms and how the symptoms function.
“We encourage self-reflection and self-examination in the relationship between the therapist and the patient,” Flores says. “As the therapeutic relationship develops, it usually works as a window into larger patterns in the patient’s life.”
Throughout the years, Flores has had the opportunity to impact the lives of countless people throughout the community. But one of her most memorable moments came from the work she did with a young couple who came to her asking if they should break up or stay together.
“Their arguments were so frequent and intense, they were both fearful they may become physically violent with each other someday,” Flores shares. “My beginner-therapist mind thought, ‘You guys are young and should probably break up and cut your losses,’ but I worked with them anyway. I saw them a couple times a week for a long time. They eventually got married and had their first child. I received a message from them saying being home together during COVID brought them even closer, and they’ve realized how much they truly enjoy each other’s company.
“We develop our therapeutic selves well to provide the best possible care and treatment we can,” she continues. “This couple was committed and worked incredibly hard to develop themselves as individuals and as a couple.”
The road to becoming a private practice therapist and business owner can have its share of challenges, but Flores has worked hard to create not only a positive, welcoming space for patients, but also a tight-knit community for therapists to learn their craft.
“I wanted to create an environment where younger therapists in the field felt supported, challenged, well trained and fairly compensated,” she explains. “I wanted to create the same environment for more experienced licensed therapists while also providing a sense of community and ongoing opportunities for advancements in the field.”
For those wondering what signs to look for when considering reaching out for help, Flores offers this advice: “While occasional depression and anxiety are normal and a byproduct of being human, if feelings such as depression, anxiety, stress, uncomfortable thoughts and actions, lack of motivation or loneliness have become too much or too frequent, professional help is recommended. If anything is getting in the way of someone’s ability to work, love and play, we recommend reaching out.”
For more information, visit interiordesignfirm.com, email hello@interiordesignfirm.com or call (818) 748-8818.