About Jenny

I am a licensed psychologist with 18 years of experience. As has been the case for many things in my life, my journey to psychology was nonlinear. My bachelor's degree is in mathematics, which gave me skills in problem solving, critical and analytical thinking, and logic. I have a masters in theology, which contributed to a passion for finding meaning, pondering what it means to be human, and appreciating the many different ways folks search to find answers to life’s existential questions. I ultimately decided to become a therapist because, at a time in my life when I experienced great suffering, therapy saved me. It helped me make sense of what I was experiencing, make my way through the suffering, and emerge a changed person. Therapy can be incredibly rewarding, and I am deeply honored to be able to provide that experience to others. My work is about fostering connection, healing, and transformation.

I trained in college mental health at the Counseling and Psychological Services at UC Riverside, and in child and adolescent psychology at the Reiss-Davis Child Study Center, Vista Del Mar. I worked at an inpatient eating disorder treatment center post-grad, where I developed expertise in the treatment of eating disorders, body image, and personality disorders. 

I then spent 12 years in college mental health at Emmons Wellness Center, Occidental College, as the Assistant Director and Training Coordinator for 9 years and the Director of Counseling Services for 3 years. As Training Coordinator I created the training curriculum, clinically supervised and taught predoctoral interns and postdoctoral fellows. In addition to my administrative role, I provided clinical services to students, and developed a specialty in trauma and sexual violence.

EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND LICENSURE

  • B.A. in Mathematics Taylor University Upland, IN 1997

  • M.A. in Theology, Fuller Theological Seminary Pasadena, CA 2003

  • PsyD in Marriage and Family Therapy, Alliant International University Irvine, CA 2008

  • Psychologist license: CA 22924 2009-Current

  • EMDR Training: 2018

  • Perintal Mental Health Training: 2023

Headshot of Jenny Heetderks, PsyD dressed in a blue top
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