“The world is full of interesting and complex lives. Regardless of what people may think of themselves, I often find beauty and wonder in almost everyone I work with.”
Jota Weeks, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) strives to understand people as thoroughly as possible by gathering insight into their personal, physical, familial, and social lives.
He seeks to understand people with compassion and open-mindedness by creating space for clients to engage in honest introspection.
As a Family Systems Therapist, Jota believes that we are all part of a larger system, such as a family, community, or organization, and the best way to support an individual is to understand their relationship to all parts of the system.
Rather than looking at individuals as separate entities, Jota is always attuned to the systems within which we live: including those of our physical bodies, families and relationships, institutions, and society.
Jota believes that through reflection and understanding we can adjust our perception of the world, and as a result, change or evolve our ways of thinking, feeling, and behaving with ourselves and each other.
Jota may help clients identify the roots of old patterns that may be unintentionally blocking themselves against healing and growth.
We sat down with Jota to learn more about his background in the field and approach to working with clients online:
What led you to become a therapist?
My journey to becoming a therapist began with a deep appreciation for psychological systems thinking—a holistic approach that views individuals as part of a larger whole rather than separate components. My initial interest in personality psychology naturally evolved into exploring topics like sexuality, relationships, and familial dynamics.
I studied psychology and sociology at a small private college with an open and collaborative learning environment. While it had a rigorous and highly focused curriculum, there was a lot of permeability between the different departments. Again, this affirmed the concept of interconnectedness and interdependence between all things. I went on to earn my Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy from Antioch University of New England in New Hampshire.
Instead of viewing people in isolation, I’ve always been fascinated by how they interact with and are shaped by the systems they inhabit—be it their physical bodies, relationships, or society. My early work in an in-home family therapy organization in Massachusetts was transformative. I was part of a team of therapists and clinical supervisors who supported families facing acute challenges like communication issues, conflict within school performance, unresolved trauma, or mental, physical, or developmental health challenges. I saw firsthand how an individual’s behavior impacts the entire family system and how changes within one person can ripple through the entire unit.
Currently, I’m working toward completing my specialized Sex Therapy Certification, which will allow me to offer more nuanced support in helping clients navigate the complexities of their intimate lives and relationships. Additionally, I’m trained in Accelerated Resolution Therapy (A.R.T.), a non-disclosure eye-movement-based therapy that facilitates healing from trauma and anxiety in a gentle and effective way.
How would you describe your therapeutic style and approach?
My therapeutic style is deeply collaborative, whether I’m working with individuals, couples, groups, or families. I strive to understand each person as fully as possible, often asking a wide range of questions, even about topics that may seem unrelated to the initial focus. I do this because everything in our lives is interconnected, and sometimes the roots of our challenges—and their solutions—lie in unexpected places.
Our worldview shapes the choices we make, the relationships we form, and how we navigate daily life. These perceptions, influenced by the systems we live within—familial, relational, and social—impact how we think, feel, and act. A key part of therapy is bringing awareness to these dynamics and helping clients understand their role within them. Through this conscious understanding, people can begin to reshape their reality, altering how they show up in relationships and in the world. This style of therapy I practice is meant to provide a contemplative and protected space for clients to explore and reformulate their beliefs about themselves and the world around them.
How do you form connections with clients?
Building a genuine connection with my clients is at the heart of my practice. Whether our journey together spans a few sessions or several years, my priority is to create a space where clients feel safe, valued, and heard. I see myself as a compassionate guide, walking alongside each person in a collaborative journey toward greater understanding, connection, and personal growth.
In my work, which often draws from Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), I believe in the power of shared ideas and open dialogue. My role isn’t to impose solutions or direct someone’s path but to offer new perspectives, tools, and strategies that empower clients to see or engage with their lives differently. Together, we work toward meaningful transformation, mutually helping to shape their lives in ways that feel true and authentic to who they are.
What mental health conditions and life challenges can you help people work through?
I work well with people facing a variety of mental health and life challenges, but I often find myself working the most with:
- Polyamory/ENM/relationship configuration
- Conflict resolution
- Relational trauma
- Life transitions
- Gender Identity
- Relationships & Intimacy
- LGBTQIA+
- Emotional Reactivity
- Complex parental relationships
- Schizophrenia Spectrum and Psychotic Disorders
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Personality Disorders
- Infidelity
- Ethnic/Cultural Issues
- Adjustment Disorders
- Anxiety/Panic/Phobias
- Attachment Disorders
- Depression
- Parenting Support
- PTSD/Acute Stress
- Academic/Occupational/Work Issues/Career
- Sexual Offenders
- Self-Injurious Behaviors/Self-harm
- Attention-deficit Hyperactivity Disorders (ADHD/ADD)
What’s your favorite part of being a therapist?
My favorite part of being a therapist is the process of getting to know the unique and wonderful stories of each person I work with. There is so much beauty in our complexities and strengths that people often don’t see in themselves. Therapy is a journey of learning and growth, not just for my clients, but for me as well.
One of the most fulfilling moments in my work is when a client shares a breakthrough they’ve had outside of our sessions—an “a-ha” or a “lightbulb moment” that brings clarity, or when they’ve successfully applied something we discussed to nurture a relationship or resolve a conflict on their own or take agency of themselves in a difficult situation. These moments remind me of the incredible resilience and capacity for change that we all hold within us.
Start working with Jota today:
Jota is here to meet you and your partner or family where you are with compassion and a sense of belonging.
No matter where you are on your journey, he is strongly committed to cultivating a space where clients feel safe and supported throughout.
To start working with Jota online, contact us today at (413) 343-4357.