Jaclyn Bex, PhD, LMFT

I am a marriage and family therapist who uses a systemic approach focusing on the relationships that have shaped a person including family and societal influences and experiences. I became a therapist to help people change painful relationship dynamics and, over the course of my career, transitioned to helping people process the events in their lives which created and reinforce those relationship dynamics.

I focus on building a safe and collaborative relationship with clients using humor and sometimes a little sarcasm while also being direct and compassionate. This creates a supportive environment for clients to face and meet the challenge of processing emotional, mental, and physical wounds from the worst events in a person’s life.

I joined the Trauma Institute & Child Trauma Institute Team in 2021. Prior to this, I spent 14 years working for a non-profit community mental health agency. My experiences range from working in a therapeutic foster care program, community outpatient mental health, and private practice. I have provided individual, couples, family, and group therapy to children, adolescents, and adults.

As an approved consultant for progressive counting and an EMDRIA approved consultant for EMDR, I provide individual and group consultation to therapists learning both models. I also assist in trainings at the Trauma Institute.

My work as a therapist began in 1997 with at risk youth in residential settings and with vulnerable families and adults in the community. These early experiences shaped my lifelong commitment to understanding and applying effective treatments for complex trauma and attachment insecurity. My training and expertise include EMDR Therapy (Certified Therapist, Consultant, and Trainer), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Sensorimotor Psychotherapy (SP), Progressive Counting (PC), Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR), hypnosis, attachment focused therapy, art therapy, mindfulness, and play therapy.

I have conducted dozens of workshops, presentations, and talks, including at the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA) Conference (2019) and the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD- 2018, 2021, 2025, and 2026). I am the author and editor of Creative Arts Therapies and EMDR (2022), a contributing author to The Handbook of Complex Trauma and Dissociation in Children (Hosey & Gomez, 2025), and a chapter author in EMDR with Children in the Play Therapy Room: An Integrated Approach (Monaco & Forest, 2020). I also serve on the Board of Directors for ISSTD.

Currently, I work at TICTI’s Westport, CT location and serve as the Clinical Director of Intake for the Trauma Institute.

I was drawn to work as a therapist because I believe that each person is capable of learning, healing, and growing across their lifespan and that meaningful change becomes possible when people feel supported, understood, and empowered in their healing process.

I view the working relationship between myself and my clients as a collaboration in which I walk alongside them, providing skilled support and encouragement toward their goals. In my clinical work, I use an integrative, trauma-informed approach that is tailored to each client’s needs and goals. I incorporate evidence-based methods such as EMDR, Flash Technique, Progress Counting, mindfulness-based interventions, parts work and attachment-focused approaches. I also draw from cognitive and relational frameworks to help clients understand patterns, regulate emotions, and build practical skills for daily life.

When I am away from work, I enjoy walking in the woods, reading, and music. I have a regular mindfulness practice that helps me stay grounded.