About Michelle Jurkiewicz
I am a licensed clinical psychologist (CA PSY 29048) providing therapy and consultation for children, teens, adults, and couples of all types, from infancy through the older adult years. Over the past 20 years, first as a Marriage Family Therapist and then as a psychologist, I have trained and provided mental health services within a variety of settings. I enjoy working with all types of people.
In full-time private practice I focus on what I enjoy most, which is depth-oriented psychotherapy and supporting people in deepening their understanding of themselves, their relationships, and the world around them. I love that my work requires me to never stop learning and growing. I approach therapy collaboratively, and people find my style to be warm and empathetic. My work is influenced by psychodynamic, relational, and attachment theories.
Because of my commitment to social justice and my desire to give back to the field of psychotherapy, I always provide some type of pro-bono work, including direct service, teaching, or supervising newer clinicians. As a founding member of Mind the Gap (MTG), I serve on their Advisory Group. MTG is in community partnership with UCSF’s Child and Adolescent Gender Center, which is committed to providing gender affirmative services to transgender, nonbinary, and gender expansive children, youth, and their families.
Gender Specialist
I am a child and adolescent gender specialist, which means that I have specialized training, experience, and knowledge in working with issues related to gender identity and gender expression. I provide support around all aspects of gender identity and expression, such as: building gender resilience, managing gender dysphoria, social transitions, and medical interventions.
I also provide parenting support and consultation in raising and supporting a child in their gender identity and expression. There is no one formula because every child, every family, and every community is unique. Our work will include both psychoeducation and support, such as around: talking with your child about gender, child development and building resilience, thinking about/making difficult decisions, and all the range of feelings and concerns that arise in supporting your child while also navigating extended family, schools, and the larger community.
publications
Gender Explained:
A New Understanding of Identity in a Gender Creative World
Gender is everywhere. Politicians argue over it, educational systems struggle to define it, and our friends, neighbors, and children explore it. More than ever before, young people are questioning their gender identities and redefining the role of gender in their lives. How should our society—and we as individuals (parents, teachers, friends)—respond?
This book helps to separate medical fact from fear-mongering falsehoods and answer these questions: What should parents do when their child starts experiencing gender dysphoria? Which sports teams should transgender youth play on? How should schools teach young people about gender? And most important: What is gender-affirming care, and when should an individual have access to it?
With clear, expert guidance, this book is a safeguard against political vitriol, and it offers urgent protection for those among us who are transgender and gender diverse. Far more than an introduction to gender creativity,
it is an invitation to develop compassion for everyone
along the gender continuum.
Officially on bookshelves August 6, 2024 and currently available for preorder anywhere you buy books.
Gender Explained:
A New Understanding of Identity in a Gender Creative World
Gender is everywhere. Politicians argue over it, educational systems struggle to define it, and our friends, neighbors, and children explore it. More than ever before, young people are questioning their gender identities and redefining the role of gender in their lives. How should our society—and we as individuals (parents, teachers, friends)—respond?
This book helps to separate medical fact from fear-mongering falsehoods and answer these questions: What should parents do when their child starts experiencing gender dysphoria? Which sports teams should transgender youth play on? How should schools teach young people about gender? And most important: What is gender-affirming care, and when should an individual have access to it?
With clear, expert guidance, this book is a safeguard against political vitriol, and it offers urgent protection for those among us who are transgender and gender diverse. Far more than an introduction to gender creativity,
it is an invitation to develop compassion for everyone
along the gender continuum.
Officially on bookshelves August 6, 2024 and currently available for preorder anywhere you buy books.