Me & Abner ♥︎
Jackie Allen, MA, LMFT
Hi! I’m Jackie, a licensed therapist and creativity coach based in Los Angeles. I help sensitive, creative teens cultivate emotional wellbeing through expressive arts therapy, talk therapy, and the development of practical coping tools — all in a warm, playful, and supportive environment.
I discovered my love for working with teens while teaching and mentoring at a high school, where I gained firsthand insight into the pressures, challenges, and unique strengths of adolescents. Teens have big feelings, big ideas, and big dreams, and I love co-creating with them a positive, grounding, and nurturing space to hold all of that.
I especially enjoy working with teens drawn to the arts, as my training in expressive arts therapy and my own creative background help these teens process emotions, make sense of the world around them, and build confidence and self-love.
Outside of therapy, I co-host an interactive podcast and community called Secret Superstar Society, whch explores the joys and struggles of creativity. I also love singing and playing guitar, painting and printmaking, cooking and baking, and I’m an avid journaler.
Credentials & Training
In college, I studied the psychology of creativity through the lenses of poetry and printmaking at New York University’s Gallatin School, and minored in child and adolescent mental health studies. Later, I earned a master’s degree in clinical psychology from Antioch University Los Angeles. After grad school, I completed specialized trainings in creativity coaching and expressive arts therapy.
I am a licensed marriage and family therapist in the state of California (LMFT#144227) and have over six years of experience supporting clients across the lifespan — from toddlers to teens to adults — using client-centered depth therapy, play therapy, expressive arts therapy, and creativity coaching.
In addition to my online work with teens, I also maintain a small practice facilitating play and creative arts therapy with children.
My Approach
For many teens, creativity is not only a powerful coping tool, but also a bridge between what they feel and what they can express. My approach blends expressive arts therapy with client-centered psychodynamic therapy and practical coping strategies, creating a space where teens can:
Explore emotions safely
Build self-trust and resilience
Shift behavior and narratives over time
Develop coping skills for school, social life, and personal challenges
Grow emotionally and creatively at their own pace
No artistic experience is required — the focus is on expression and self-discovery, not performance.
Who I Work With
I specialize in supporting teens who are:
Sensitive, creative, or highly perceptive
Experiencing anxiety, stress, or low self-confidence
Struggling to express emotions or navigate social challenges
Facing identity questions or major life transitions
I work best with teens who are struggling but emotionally stable, curious about themselves, and open to gentle growth. My practice is not designed for teens in active crisis or needing intensive or emergency-level support. I’m always happy to help families find appropriate referrals if that level of care is needed.
Practical Details
I work with clients ages 15-19.
Sessions are 50-minutes in length and usually take place weekly.
At the moment, I am offering video sessions only and do not have in-person availability.
I am based in Los Angeles, but serving clients throughout California online.
I do not currently take insurance, but I can provide a superbill for you to send to your insurance for possible out-of-network reimbursement.
My regular session fee is $175/session, with sliding scale options available.
Getting Started
If you’re interested in exploring whether this approach might be a good fit for your teen, I offer a free 15 minute consultation call for parents or caregivers.
