Meet Jaclyn Allman – Founder of Open Minds Psychotherapy

I’m Jaclyn, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and the founder of Open Minds Psychotherapy. I provide thoughtful, evidence-based therapy for individuals navigating anxiety, high-functioning perfectionism, major life transitions, identity development, and the lasting impacts of trauma. I work with clients who appear to have it all together on the outside, but inside feel overwhelmed, disconnected, or unsure of how to move forward.

My path to becoming a therapist was shaped by a strong foundation in advocacy and a deep curiosity about human resilience. Before becoming a therapist, I earned a law degree from UCLA and practiced as a family law attorney, supporting clients through some of the most emotionally charged experiences of their lives—child custody disputes, domestic violence proceedings, and complex divorces. Sitting beside people in their most vulnerable moments taught me the importance of being fully present, nonjudgmental, and attuned to both spoken and unspoken pain.

Eventually, I followed a long-standing pull toward mental health work and completed my master’s degree in Clinical Psychology at Pepperdine University. My clinical training and early-career experience took place in community-based mental health clinics in Los Angeles and San Diego, where I provided culturally responsive therapy to children, teens, adults, and families facing challenges like anxiety, depression, OCD, disordered eating, trauma, grief, and identity development. There I completed training in immediate intervention and couples counseling and volunteered at a crisis line to counsel youth and adults in need of immediate support.

I bring a trauma-informed, psychodynamic lens to the work, while incorporating elements of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and person-centered care. I also draw on my legal background to help clients who are moving through difficult family transitions or legal stressors—such as co-parenting after separation or healing after domestic abuse—with clarity and self-compassion.

At the core of my practice is the belief that people grow when they feel safe enough to explore their inner world with honesty and curiosity. My role is to walk with you through that exploration, helping you make sense of your story, deepen your self-awareness, and build a life that feels aligned with your values.