Meet Jaclyn Zeal, LMFT
Jaclyn Zeal is a licensed marriage & family therapist located in the Phoenixville area of Chester County, PA
Friend, despite trying really hard at my relationships — I struggled for a long time. I was prone to conflict-avoidance, self-abandonment, and codependency. In fact, I didn’t even realize all this was happening until I landed on the other side of divorce.
Many of us were not taught vital relationship skills growing up (I know I wasn’t!). Qualities such as interdependence, freedom, acceptance, and boundaries are foundational to healthy relationships. I have made it my life’s work to heal the relationship with myself, and to foster healthy relationships around me.
My core values as a therapist
Maintain presence & curiosity
Integrity — anchored in what is honest & authentic, even when it’s uncomfortable
Courage to dig deeper & challenge with kindness
Radical consent — clients stay empowered in the relationship
Committed to my own growth & learning
My training & credentials
-
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist | Pennsylvania | License number: MF001627
Prior to opening my own solo practice in Royersford, PA, I worked at the group practice Sacred & Free in Collegeville, PA.
-
Therapy Modalities:
In the therapy field, there are countless theories that act as guideposts for working with clients.
I take an eclectic approach, and am guided by Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Narrative Therapy, Attachment Theory, Bowen Family Systems Theory, Gottman Couples Therapy, Structural Family Therapy, Parts Work (IFS), Person-Centered Therapy … and a sprinkling of some others.
-
Master of Family Therapy | Thomas Jefferson University | Philadelphia, PA
While earning my degree, I received specialized training in sex therapy, aimed at helping couples navigate a variety of sexual challenges to create deeper intimacy.
Awarded Honors for Master’s Project on the application of Emotionally Focused Therapy for treating mismatched libidos
Received a 4.0 gpa in every semester of the program
My story, continued
Before my divorce — my life looked amazing from the outside. I had a high-paying corporate job, I lived in a cool west-coast city, I was married, and had lots of sparkly travel photos on my Instagram.
But on the inside — I had been struggling with anxiety, self-doubt, perfectionism, over-thinking, and my marriage wasn’t working. I was isolated, and terrified of what it would mean to have such a public “failure.” I had been the quintessential “perfect child” since I was little, I role I played well. But one that required me to mask my vulnerability at all costs, and that price was becoming too steep.
Turns out that divorce was actually a huge gift in my life. While it was painful, scary, and expensive, it was the catalyst I needed to finally face the relationship with myself.
Here’s what I learned:
Building a secure attachment starts from within; I needed to develop trust and safety with myself in order to find a healthy reciprocity in relationships
The way I navigate the relationship with myself matters — this means being mindful of how I talk to myself (especially when I mess up), practicing self-forgiveness, treating myself with kindness and respect
A healthy relationship requires that I communicate my wants and needs, understanding that sometimes I will disappoint others, and sometimes others will disappoint me
Vulnerability is freeing. I don’t need to be perfect, what feels a lot more authentic is just being present
When a perfectionistic mindset melts away, I have much more space for playfulness, creativity, and experimentation
I will always be humbled by the work of maintaining relationships with others — that’s just what it means to be human
I share all of this because I feel it’s important for my clients to know that I am on this journey, too. While it can be tempting to think therapists somehow have it all figured out — we don’t! But a good therapist can not only admit that they struggle, they also are committed to their continued growth.
Friend, on the other side of all this work — I have found myself in a much more grounded and joyful place. I am happy married, I am a new mama to a goofy little boy, and I practice the skills I teach every day to keep my relationships balanced. It’s far from perfect, but it’s a labor of love.
“Authenticity is the daily practice of letting go of who we think we’re supposed to be and embracing who we are.” — Brené Brown
Ready to get started?
I am too! I am ready to hear where you’ve been and where you’d like to go — with tenderness and open-heartedness.