An Interview With Jayne Miller

Dr. Jayne Miller, Psy.D. is a highly esteemed licensed clinical psychologist dedicated to fostering mental health and well-being. With a wealth of experience and expertise, Dr. Miller has become a trusted figure in the field, known for her compassionate approach and commitment to individualized care.

What inspired you to become a psychologist and why have you chosen to approach your work from a psychodynamic perspective?

I have always loved stories. And I’ve always been curious. Every patient that I meet and work with has a story to tell, and I believe that if they can share and listen in the presence of someone open and curious, they can begin to reflect on and associate to their life’s story differently. Practicing from a psychodynamic perspective allows me to help my patients think critically about how their early life and caregivers have impacted their patterns of behavior and how they move through the world currently.

How are you incorporating group therapy into your practice, and how have you found the outcomes to compare relative to individual therapy?

I run two interpersonal process groups in addition to seeing individuals and couples. While I enjoy working with folks individually, group is a completely different ballgame. In group, you have the opportunity to notice some of your unhelpful tendencies, thoughts, or emotional reactions in real time and unpack them with multiple individuals providing the opportunity for rupture and repair. Often times group therapy activates dynamics that have come up in friendships and familial relationships. Individual therapy can do that too, but I find that it can take longer and isn’t quite the same as sitting in a group of 8 of your peers who sometimes resemble siblings, parents, colleagues, or friends.

What advice do you give patients who may be experiencing anxiety around their health?

My answer here is two fold: ask yourself when and where this anxiety started. What is it that you are actually afraid of as it relates to your health? Loss of control? Mortality? Feeling helpless? Second, and I’m of course biased, start talking to a therapist.Getting your anxious thoughts out of your head and into a shared space with someone is the first step. Having that person help you hear yourself clearly, make sense of your feelings and challenge the unhelpful aspects of it, you are well on your way to feeling less anxious.

What advancements or research within the field of psychology are you currently most excited about?

This is less an advancement in the field and more something I’m noticing… more people are talking (and writing) about therapy! People seem to be taking their mental health more seriously, whether it’s by creating more community and space for sharing feelings or doing so in therapy, I love to see it.

At The Lanby, we value hospitality as a key factor in optimizing health outcomes. In what way do you apply the tenets of hospitality to your approach to care?

I believe therapy is successful because there’s a good fit between therapist and patient. I am warm, unafraid to laugh and do not shy away from helping patients face and express feelings of anger and sadness. I prioritize building trust, communicating clearly, and creating a safe environment for risk-taking, reflection, and challenge. Therapy is not about being comfortable, but about feeling safe enough to be uncomfortable and begin to learn how to tolerate all of life’s nuance and difficulty.

For a consultation with Dr. Miller please email drjaynemiller@gmail.com or visit her website at www.drjaynemiller.com.