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Jewish therapist in Calabasas

Hello, I'm Dr. Jené Verchick, a Jewish, female psychologist in Calabasas with over 26 years of clinical experience. I work with adults, teens, and couples who want a therapist who understands their cultural background, their values, and the specific pressures of their world.

 

Finding a therapist who already understands your world makes therapy work differently. The cultural background, the pull between family and everything else, the weight of expectations: you don't have to spend the first three sessions explaining yourself. I already understand.

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How I Work

I'm not a sit-back-and-listen therapist. I take an active role in session, especially with couples. When I see the pattern happening between you, I step in and help you respond to each other differently in real time. With individuals, I'm direct and honest. I won't let you stay stuck in patterns that aren't serving you. I don't waste time with endless circular conversations. We get to the heart of the issues quickly and work on them directly.

 

Whether you're sorting through anxiety, relationship struggles, identity questions, parenting stress, or navigating a caregiving crisis, my goal is to help you actually move, not just talk about moving.

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Who I Work With

• Couples rebuilding connection — communication breakdowns, distance, betrayal, interfaith tension

• Parents navigating the chaos of young kids, teens, or an empty nest

• Individuals dealing with anxiety, depression, grief, or life transitions

• Families managing caregiving for aging parents

• High-achieving professionals balancing demanding careers with personal life

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Westlake Village Couples

I also work with couples in nearby Westlake Village. If that's closer to where you are, learn more about marriage counseling in Westlake Village.

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What Clients Say​

“We were brand-new parents, sleep-deprived and snippy. In our first session, Dr. Verchick asked one question that cracked us open: ‘When did you last feel like teammates?’ We both cried. She gave us tiny repair rituals and a way to say ‘I’m overwhelmed’ without starting a war. We hold hands again on walks, and the house feels safe.” — D. & S., Encino
 

“Two doctors, one toddler, endless balagan. Between OR calls and night float, we were passing like ghosts. Jené taught us a 10-minute post-call debrief and one small act of chesed for each other every day. We still argue, but it lands softer—and we laugh mid-argument now. That’s new.” — A. (ER) & R. (hospitalist), Calabasas
 

“We’d become roommates with rings. She didn’t pick sides; she slowed us down until we could actually hear what hurt. The scripts weren’t cheesy—they were humane. I see my husband again, not a checklist of undone tasks.” — K., Sherman Oaks
 

“I’m the spreadsheet parent; he’s the playground parent. Our fights about screens and bedtime felt endless. Dr. Verchick helped us choose three non-negotiables and let the rest breathe. The kids notice the calm, and so do we.” — T.J., Woodland Hills
 

“We’re a mixed home—Shabbos candles matter to me, travel soccer matters to him. With Jené we found a minhag that’s ours: candles, hamotzi, phones away for dinner, and no fighting at kiddush. Shalom bayit isn’t a slogan here; it’s what the house feels like.” — H. & E., Tarzana
 

“Caring for Bubbe while raising teens had me drowning in guilt. Siblings were kvetching, I was schvitzing, and nothing changed. She mapped the roles, named the feelings, and kept kavod at the center. We finally sleep because everyone knows who’s driving, who’s paying, who’s schlepping—and Bubbe is cared for with dignity.” — R.K., Encino
 

“My dad refused help and we were burning out. Dr. Verchick gave me the words to honor his pride and still keep him safe. The first time he said, ‘Okay, I’ll try it,’ I sobbed in my car.” — M.S., Beverly Hills
 

“Anxiety used to slam me on the 405. I’d bail on meetings and hate myself for it. With Jené I practiced tiny exposures, box breathing, and ‘check the facts’ instead of doom. Last week I drove to Santa Monica with the windows down and sang to the radio. It felt like getting my life back.” — D.A., Sherman Oaks
 

“Sunday dread owned me. I’d spiral about work and then snap at my kids. She gave me a plan I can do in five minutes—breathe, reframe, one doable action. My calendar didn’t change, but my chest did. I can be present for bedtime again.” — J.P. (startup founder), Calabasas
 

“Freshman year hit our daughter like a truck—and I turned into a nudnik with 27 texts a day. Dr. Verchick taught us ‘listen first, ask two questions, then trust.’ Our calls are calmer, and our kid solved her roommate drama without us barging in. Less tsuris, more nachas.” — J. & A., Westwood
 

“Empty nest wrecked me in ways I didn’t expect. I cried after dropping our son at LAX and then tried to fix it with Venmo. Jené helped me turn love into boundaries and rituals: weekly check-ins, care packages, and faith that he’ll figure it out. We’re closer now, and I sleep.” — K.D., Agoura Hills
 

“Different hashkafas under one roof had us stuck. She reframed our fights as a machloket l’shem shamayim—disagreements for the sake of something bigger. We picked what’s sacred, what’s flexible, and how to disagree with kavod. We leave sessions smiling, which felt impossible a month ago.” — D. & L., Calabasas
 

“Clinic days vs. NICU nights made us brittle. Jené’s ‘micro-repairs between cases’ (a text, a joke, a 30-second thank-you) changed the whole vibe. We’re still busy, but not lonely inside our marriage.” — M.K. (surgeon) & L.K. (peds), Encino
 

“I catastrophized every school email. One late assignment and I’d see disaster. Dr. Verchick taught me to pause, check facts, and take one kind step toward my kid instead of a lecture. The house is quieter. So is my head.” — S.L., Woodland Hills
 

“We came in scared we were beyond help. She looked at us like we were worth fighting for and showed us how to fight fair. It wasn’t magic; it was practice. And we’re doing it.” — P. & N., Studio City
 

“I didn’t want therapy; I wanted a time machine. Since that’s not a thing, she gave me tools that work in real life. I feel less alone in my own story—and that changed everything.” — C.R., Westlake Village​​​

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Frequently asked questions

Do I need to be Jewish to work with you?

No. Many of my clients are Jewish, but not all. What matters is that you feel understood. If cultural or religious identity is part of your experience, I can meet you there. If it's not, that's fine too.

 

Do you work with interfaith couples?

Yes. Navigating different traditions, holidays, and family expectations under one roof is one of the most common challenges interfaith couples face. I help you find what's sacred, what's flexible, and how to disagree with respect.

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What ages do you work with?

Adults, teens, and couples. I also work with parents who are struggling with their teen's transition to college or adulthood.

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How do sessions work?

Sessions are held via secure, confidential video. You don't need to be in Calabasas. I work with clients across Los Angeles, the Bay Area, San Diego, and Santa Barbara.

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What if my partner doesn't want to come?

Common. I'm happy to start with one partner. Once the dynamic starts shifting, the other person often becomes willing to join.