Today we’d like to introduce you to Jamie Weiss, PhD, LMFT.
Hi Jamie, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I spent over two decades working in the entertainment industry in Chicago and Los Angeles as a makeup department head on tv series, feature films and commercials including: ER, Ferris Buhler’s Day Off, Sears and Farmer’s Insurance.
At 50 years old I went to graduate school and earned a Master’s Degree in Psychology with a focus on Marriage and Family Therapy in 2011. In 2018 I earned a PhD in Clinical Sexology with a focus on gender. I am also a Board-Certified Sex Therapist and Board-Certified Sex Therapist and Board-Certified Oncology Psychology Therapist and trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).
I am currently a licensed psychotherapist in private practice in Deerfield Beach with specialties in couples therapy, sex therapy, transgender care therapy, oncology psychology, childhood trauma and PTSD.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Working in the entertainment industry was initially exciting and satisfying to be a part of a creative process and working directly with actors, celebrities and other crew members. As a freelancer, I was always worried about what my next job was or whether I would miss an opportunity while planning vacations or other life experiences. Like any career I paid my dues and earned the designation of Department Head and membership into labor unions in Chicago and LA. During that career I was exposed to many spoiled, entitled and challenging personalities while working 12-14 hours plus on stage, on location and in hot and cold extreme weather. However. I feel it honed my interpersonal skills and my ability to create a safe space so the actors could be vulnerable in front of the cameras.
Going back to school at 50 was challenging as it had been over 35 years since I earned my bachelor’s degree. Finding an academic rhythm with empirical writing, reading while working and balancing my life took a lot of headspace and time management. It was worth the challenge as I was able to reinvent and leave the entertainment industry behind and dive head first into psychotherapy.
It took a bit over two years to earn my internship hours toward licensure as an out patient therapist for mostly children in low socioeconomic areas of Broward and Palm Beach counties. After I earned my hours I worked at a homeless shelter and tried– often in vain– to help those navigating their unfortunate circumstances. Many exhibited severe mental illness, substance abuse and alcoholism. It was very challenging but I wanted to make a difference.
I started my private practice in 2015 and it took a couple of years to get my footing and create a lucrative business. Today I feel very confident as a psychotherapist, always researching new ways to help and continue to be challenged by my clients- in a good way– and feel I make a difference in peoples’ lives. I have always felt the entertainment industry turned a blind eye or enabled negative behaviors and challenging psychopathologies for the greater good of the film or tv show and I often regret contributing to it. Now I get to call people on their “shit” and help them resolve trauma, learn healthier coping mechanisms and live happier more fulfilling lives. On to new challenges…Perhaps teaching at a university level…
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I think I explained my specialties and practice in a prior question, but will elaborate more here:
I have worked with the transgender community for about 10 years. I am a cisgender woman but have certifications and abundant experience working with gender incongruency and gender dysphoria. I am often tasked to write letters for transgender clients seeking cross hormone therapy (HRT) or gender-affirming surgeries. Prior to the pandemic, I cohosted biweekly support groups in Boca Raton and Wilton Manors. I have presented at transgender conferences, a diversity program at FAU and have coauthored and presented focus groups on sexuality and aging with women who partner with women and transgender women.
As a certified sex therapist, I work with couples with sexual intimacy issues, history of sexual abuse and sexuality post treatment for hormone related cancers like prostate, uterine and breast cancer. I am a breast cancer survivor myself, so my personal experience is helpful with clients navigating their sexuality.
I am a specialist in childhood trauma and PTSD and many clients seek me out to help them reprocess trauma and let go of their past so they can be unburdened and live happier lives.
Any big plans?
I am considering teaching classes at a university level. Right now I am preparing to submit my application for the Spring 2026 term. I feel it would be a good fit for my background and would like a new challenge in my career.
Pricing:
- I am on most insurance panels and Medicare so I accept insurance for my sessions.
- My self pay session fee is $200
Contact Info:
