Welcome to Minding My Own Therapy

Minding My Own Therapy is a counseling and therapy practice serving California through Telehealth and in-person sessions. Services may encompass various difficulties, with a specific focus on Perinatal & Postpartum Support, Identity Counseling, Couples Support Counseling, Adulting Therapy, and Counseling for Anxiety & Depression.

Connecting with a therapist is an excellent way to begin healing and working towards your mental health goals. Thus, you being here right now shows that you have begun developing the most important part of your journey, a willingness to invest in yourself. I encourage you to explore more about me and my practice, and consider if we might be a good fit. If so, together, let's create a new foundation, so you can begin feeling more grounded, supported, and ready to seek out your own joy.

About Me

My name is Taj-Zsa Hower, and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, as well as the owner of Minding My Own Therapy. I have more than 9 years of experience providing mental health services to a multitude of diverse individuals and couples.

I deeply enjoy and greatly value being a psychotherapist, as my clients gift me the special opportunity to be a guiding influence in the midst of their life’s journeys. A role that I accept seriously and wholeheartedly.

My interest into counseling started when I accepted a position as a Youth Correctional Counselor for the state of California. Even though I wasn't a licensed clinician at the time, I found a deep passion for assisting others in coping with tough emotions related to challenging life experiences. During this period, I focused on supporting teens and young adults navigating through difficult transitions, trauma, neglect, and instances of physical and sexual abuse.

This initial exposure fueled my aspiration to deepen my understanding of mental health, prompting me to pursue a Master’s Degree in Social Work at California State University Northridge, which I successfully completed in 2016. Subsequently, I have cultivated my expertise through diverse roles within several non-profit organizations, such as an Intensive Foster Family Services Clinician, Youth Field-Based Therapist, Veteran Center Counselor, community clinic Therapist, and a Clinician within the Counseling and Psychological Services of CSUCI Mental Health clinic. My professional journey reflects a commitment to continuous growth and an unwavering dedication to providing impactful therapeutic interventions.

Beyond my responsibilities as a therapist, I am a woman of color, a spouse, mother, Airforce Veteran, self-professed poet, coffee enthusiast, self-care aficionado, and much more.

Thank you for reading about me, and I look forward to hearing more about you!

My name is Taj-Zsa Hower, and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, as well as the owner of Minding My Own Therapy. I have more than 9 years of experience providing mental health services to a multitude of diverse individuals and couples.

Online counseling and therapy practice serving California.

Services Adulting Therapy We use the term 'adulting' to describe the emotional and mental journey that young adults undergo when confronted with the varied responsibilities commonly linked to significant transitions into adulthood, such as college adjustment, interpersonal relationships, dating, career worries, financial concerns, and stress management. Just because we have entered adulthood, doesn’t mean we know all the answers or that we’ve conquered every challenge; however, what it can mean, is that we have more challenges, increased anxieties, and a higher need for support. Adulting Therapy can be that support. Adulting Therapy will offer a place to openly address any and everything you are feeling, experiencing, and going through, so you don’t have to face them alone. Counseling for Anxiety & Depression This service is for those experiencing intense sadness, and/or uncontrollable worrying that is affecting their functioning, relationships, daily lives, responsibilities, or se

Services

Adulting Therapy

We use the term 'adulting' to describe the emotional and mental journey that young adults undergo when confronted with the varied responsibilities commonly linked to significant transitions into adulthood, such as college adjustment, interpersonal relationships, dating, career worries, financial concerns, and stress management. Just because we have entered adulthood, doesn’t mean we know all the answers or that we’ve conquered every challenge; however, what it can mean, is that we have more challenges, increased anxieties, and a higher need for support. Adulting Therapy can be that support.

Adulting Therapy will offer a place to openly address any and everything you are feeling, experiencing, and going through, so you don’t have to face them alone.

Counseling for Anxiety & Depression

This service is for those experiencing intense sadness, and/or uncontrollable worrying that is affecting their functioning, relationships, daily lives, responsibilities, or self-care. This type of counseling starts with setting an environment that feels safe and free from judgment, and will include thoughtful discussions, incorporation of positive interventions, and focus on helping you understand and manage your challenges.

Couples Support Counseling

Couples Support Counseling focuses on teaching skills that will help minimize aggressive conflict, avoid toxic communication, and finally resolve reoccurring issues; through positive intent, understanding, and compromise. Additionally, couples will receive support in strengthening their friendships, realigning their future dreams, and reawakening adoration, will ultimately help create a safe environment of love and mutual respect, capable of withstanding the everyday challenges of loving and coexisting with one another.

Perinatal & Postpartum Support

Perinatal and postpartum support aims to help you through all the complicated and often confusing emotional struggles pregnant and new moms face, as they transition into their roles of motherhood. This service will offer a safe and non-judgmental place to discuss challenges such as: discomforts of motherhood, overwhelm of new responsibilities, feelings of sadness or loss of self, struggles recruiting support, difficulties bonding, intense experiences of “mom-guilt”, and importantly how to rediscover your personal care and individual joy.

Identity Counseling

Identity Counseling services address and affirm the unique needs and experiences of individuals from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. The goal of these services are to provide culturally competent and sensitive care, acknowledging and respecting the influence of culture, race, and ethnicity on an individual's mental health and well-being. Services may include or involve identity exploration, intersectionality, historical and intergenerational trauma, colorism, racism, micro-aggressions, and struggles navigating the minority experiences within your community.

Mission & Training

"My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style."

MAYA ANGELOU

My Mission

Embarking on the journey of establishing my own practice aligns closely with the sentiments expressed by Maya Angelou. However, my distinct approach involves guiding my clients towards embracing a similar mission for themselves. In my role as a mental health provider, my objective is to motivate clients to progress towards their goals, all the while appreciating the joy inherent in the journey. As your clinician, I am committed to attentive listening, ensuring you feel understood, offering robust emotional support, and aiding in the enrichment of your mindfulness experiences. I genuinely hold the belief that by enhancing our mental well-being, we can elevate our overall quality of life.

My Training

I individualize treatment based on each client’s needs and goals, pulling from my professional training and experience of the skills-based approach of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, the mindful techniques of Acceptance Commitment Therapy, and the research-based interventions of Gottman Couples Therapy.

Insurance carriers accepted:

To book an appointment, check your eligibility, or make inquiries please select your insurance above to schedule a free 15 minute consultation. (If your insurance carrier is Tri-care or Medicare, please email or text to schedule your consultation).