Jack Brennan is a licensed marriage and family therapist with a private practice in Los Angeles, CA. Jack’s background was in sociology and community mental health before entering the clinical field. Jack trained in a psychoanalytically oriented practicum site in the Bay Area, modeled after Freud’s free clinics, followed by work in many grassroots and community-based projects. Jack was a recipient of the Mental Health Services Act award by the MFT Consortium of California for commitment to working in marginalized communities in 2016, and recipient of the Elyn Saks Award from New Center for Psychoanalysis for advancing psychoanalytic theory and practice in work with psychosis in 2023 and 2025. Jack is a member of California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, American Psychoanalytic Association, New Center for Psychoanalysis, and Society for Interdisciplinary Interventions in Psychoanalysis After Lacan (SPIIRAL).
In addition to being a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a masters degree in counseling psychology, I am involved in psychoanalytic formation in the tradition of Freud/Lacan, as well as more broadly in the field of psychodynamic theory, and have a masters degree in sociology. Marriage and family therapists are trained to work with an emphasis on relationships, and my inter-disciplinary background broadens and deepens this orientation.
To view an individual within the context of their environment means recognizing and working across areas of intersectionality and difference, and holding in mind an understanding of complex trauma, social & political oppression, and environmental/climate crisis. For that, I am involved in ongoing advanced training and study in psychoanalysis, which attunes one’s ear toward hearing the deeply personal humanistic and existential concerns at the very heart of these matters.
License
LMFT, IMF 116210
Education
SPIIRAL/GIFRIC 5-Year Training in Lacanian Psychoanalysis, 2024 – ongoing
New Center for Psychoanalysis, Adult Psychoanalytic Training Program, 2020 – ongoing
SF Bay Area Lacanian School for Psychoanalysis seminar: Lacanian Thought in the Non-profit & Public Clinic, 2018 – ongoing
MA Counseling Psychology, California Institute of Integral Studies, 2016
MA Sociology, Humboldt State University, 2010
BA Anthropology & Sociology, Northern Vermont University, 2005
Community Projects
Diversities Committee member, New Center for Psychoanalysis, Los Angeles, CA 2024 — ongoing
Clinical Associates Organization President, New Center for Psychoanalysis, Los Angeles, CA 2004 – 2005
Children and family therapist. Survivors of Torture, International, San Diego, CA 2019 – 2021
School-based therapist. Stars Community Services, San Leandro, CA 2017 – 2019
Clinical intern. Pacific Center for Human Growth, Berkeley, CA 2016 – 2017
Therapist trainee. Clinic Without Walls, San Francisco, CA 2015 – 2016
Street outreach program coordinator. The RAVEN Project/Redwood Community Action Agency, Eureka, CA 2011 – 2014
Harm reduction youth educator. Youth Service Bureau/Redwood Community Action Agency, Eureka, CA 2007 – 2010
Guest lectures and trainings
Study Group Co-facilitator, Psychoanalysis & The Social at New Center for Psychoanalysis, Los Angeles, CA — 2005, ongoing
Study Group Facilitator & Case Presenter at New Center for Psychoanalysis, Candidates’ Talk with Dr. Patricia Gherovici, Los Angeles, CA — 2025
“The Fear of Psychosis.” New Center for Psychoanalysis, Case Presenter at Candidates’ Talk with Dr. Marty Cooper Diversities Weekend Presentation, Los Angeles, CA — 2024
“Trans Psychoanalysis.” Psychodynamic Theory, Integral Counseling Psychology Program, California Institute of Integral Studies; San Francisco, CA — 2021
“Situational Deviance and Youth Homelessness.” Juvenile Delinquency, Humboldt State University; Arcata, CA — 2013
“Activism and Non-profit Affiliation.” Community Organizing, Humboldt State University; Arcata, CA — 2013
“Community Based Research.” Social Work Policy, Humboldt State University; Arcata, CA — 2013
“Creating Safe Spaces with LGBTQIA Youth.” Runaway Homeless Youth Technical Training & Assistance Corporation/FYSB Grantee Conference; Indianapolis, IN —2012
“Participatory Action Research with Homeless Rural Youth.” Paradigms and Perspective on Homelessness, Pacific Sociological Association Annual Meeting; Seattle, WA — 2011
Jack Brennan, LMFT 