Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jillian Cruzet. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Jillian, thanks for joining us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

Picture this: A young therapist stepping into the world of private practice, leaving behind the hustle of non-profit and school-based work. The pace is slower, the relationships are deeper, and yet, uncertainty lingers. Who is she as a therapist? How does she bring her authentic self to the room, all while trying to build a caseload and make a living? It’s a journey filled with anxiety, self-doubt, and the ongoing search for clarity.

A year and a half into this journey, she found herself gaining clients—but not nearly enough to live comfortably. The excitement of pursuing her passion was tempered by a tough realization: running a private practice wasn’t just about helping others grow into their best selves—it was also a business. Marketing, networking, and self-promotion, things she had once avoided, became skills she needed to embrace.

So, she was faced with two options: stay comfortable in waiting for clients to come through her door, or leap into the unknown of marketing herself to a larger audience.

Spoiler alert: THE LEAP WAS LEPT!

Another spoiler: this young therapist is me!

I felt ill-prepared for the business side of being a therapist—after all, that’s not part of the graduate school curriculum. We were taught how to support clients, not how to market a practice or handle the logistics of running a business. But I leaned on unexpected skills, like being a social media user (hello, algorithms!), vlogging for my “close friends” on Instagram, and dabbling in graphic design for side projects. These experiences have helped me craft content that resonate with potential clients and create an inviting space for them to connect with my work as a therapist.

Marketing myself on social media was also a risk because staying consistent has always been a challenge for me. Yet, my research made one thing clear: consistency was key for growth. It felt daunting at first, but I knew that showing up regularly was the only way to truly create a community and build trust in my work.

Seven months into the social media marketing world and I have grown in ways I never imagined! It’s satisfied my creative itch and serves as a constant reminder that taking risks is essential to building the future I envision. I’m excited to keep learning, growing, and seeing where this journey takes me next!

Jillian, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Hi, world! I’m Jillian, a Filipina, first-generation immigrant therapist who believes in the power of vulnerability, relationships, self-discovery, and the occasional thrift haul. Becoming a therapist wasn’t always my dream. I started college as a nursing major, partly inspired by my mom, who helped people as a nurse. It was also influenced by a cultural expectation to pursue a career in the medical field, which many Asian immigrant parents see as a path to prestige and financial security for their kids.

Shortly after learning about metabolism in the digestive tract in Anatomy II (this may or may not be accurate), I realized that studying the science of the body wasn’t my passion, so I decided to shift to a psychology major. This wasn’t an easy change to explain to my parents, who just wanted me to have a life free from the struggles they faced building a life in America. But the more I explored the possibilities within mental health, the clearer it became that this was the path I needed to take, even if it was unfamiliar to them. Making the jump required resilience and grit, because I didn’t want to disappoint my parents, yet I also felt the need to step into a world that, while unfamiliar even to me, felt more aligned with who I truly was.

Fast forward two years later and I am loving that being intentional and present with people is part of my job description. Now, I am a relational and psychodynamic therapist, which means that I view the therapeutic relationship as a powerful tool for healing. I believe that the way a client and I connect can mirror and illuminate the patterns you experience in other relationships—whether it’s with family, friends, or even yourself. Untangling your past while staying present in the here and now is my speciality!

I feel the most connected with clients who are trying to navigate trauma (e.g. generational trauma, sexual trauma), feelings of shame and guilt, life transitions, and the Asian-American experience. My social media is also an extension of the care I provide in my therapy room. I talk about the topics above, share common and relatable experiences, and digestible tips to take with you in your day to day.

What sets me apart? Well, I’m a Filipina, first-gen immigrant gal who’s passionate about diving into the real stuff as a therapist—trauma, shame, guilt, and purpose. I bring a mix of cultural understanding, personal experience, and a deep love for connecting with clients in an authentic way. At the end of the day, I just want to be a little sarcastic with you and help you grow.

If you could go back would you choose the same profession?

Absolutely yes, 1000 times over! Being a therapist fills so many parts of me: the part that thrives on creating a sense of “withness” and connection with others, the part that’s passionate about helping people discover their own unique ways to express themselves—whether that’s through words, art, music, or movement—and the part of me that craves growth and challenge. Seeing my clients grow over time and show resilience is deeply inspiring.

Fun fact: I think life is too short to live out only one passion as a career. Some professions I would love to jump into in the (far) future are a chef, something in leadership development, and/or an art teacher.

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

Beyond training and knowledge, the key to thriving in my career is truly knowing myself—embracing both the parts I love and the parts I’m still learning to love. Therapy is all about connection, and authenticity is what makes that connection real. When I show up as my true self—complete with the “umms,” the sarcasm, and the laughs—I create a space where others feel safe to do the same. After all, we don’t get along with our close friends or partners if there’s not a sense of trust and safety!

It’s a beautiful thing when my own life experiences allow me to understand my clients on a deeper level, reminding me that we’re all just humans trying to figure it out. Being a therapist has challenged me to confront feelings I wanted to bury and face experiences I’d rather keep hidden, to connect more authentically with my clients–and my trusted people who fill my cup. Knowing myself doesn’t just deepen the work—it makes it fulfilling and profoundly human.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.aletheiatherapy.com/about-us/the-team/jillian-cruzet
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therapywithjillian_/profilecard/?igsh=ZHBrNjZ1dG8xbjF3
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/user/317pzba4ormpyta54z5766ivkbjy?si=9tnE2wBxTzi7uuOU6K5tZw

Image Credits

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