Jean Malpas

I was born in French-speaking Belgium in 1976. My dad worked as a radio and TV news editor; my mom as a social worker, often involved in advocacy for sex workers and lesbian women surviving intimate-partner violence. I am the oldest of 3 siblings;both my brother and sister were born with major developmental disabilities, creating painful challenges for our family. Divorce, chronic illness and difference of identities and opinions gave me my earliest and most valuable training in family dynamics and problem-solving.

I knew early on that I was I was gay and, after experiencing gender expression-based bullying in middle and high school, I moved to Brussels to attend college and open my horizons. I discovered a vibrant academic and professional life, the thrill and beauty of queer communities and, by 2000, completed a college degree and two master’s degrees in clinical psychology and psychotherapy. With the support of the Belgian American Education Foundation (BAEF) scholarship, I moved to New York City for a postgraduate year of research and study at NYU. What was supposed to be a year abroad turned out to be the beginning of my career and life in the big city. Twenty years later, I am proud to call NYC my home.

Philosophy

I practice psychotherapy with an integrative and humanistic approach, always striving to identify strengths and connectivity. Whether at a community clinic or in private practice, I meet people, families and groups where they are and with empathy.

I have been trained in a wide array of approaches to mental and relational wellness, including psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral and systemic techniques. Working in inpatient clinics, outpatient addiction programs and oncology hospital settings taught me how to support individuals and their families with serious medical, behavioral and emotional challenges.

Using a combination of motivational interviewing (MI) and interpersonal tools, I seek to build resources and energy for change while identifying obstacles and strategies to overcome them. This approach has revealed successful when applied to adjustment to career or geographic changes, as well as greater challenges with depression, anxiety, addiction and relationships.

As a graduate and former faculty of the Ackerman Institute for the Family, I strongly believe that we are stronger when our life relationships are healthy and supportive. I work with couples and families in a non-pathologizing way, clarifying relationships and helping individuals build deeper connections.

Training

Post-Graduate:

• Group Psychotherapy, Systems-Centered Therapy Research Institute, NYC, 2001 - 2011.
• Humanitarian Assistance, Fordham University International Diploma , UNSSC, Goa, India, November 2010.
• Family Therapy, Ackerman Institute for the Family, NYC, 2000-2005.

Undergraduate and Graduate:

• Second Graduate Degree (DES) in Psychotherapy, Brussels University, Belgium, 1999 - 2000.
• B.S & M.S. (“License”) in Clinical Psychology, Brussels University, 1994 - 1999.

Affiliations

• American Family Therapy Academy (AFTA)
• Gender Variant Youth & Families Network NYC (“GenFamNYC”)
• World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH)
• Journal of LGBT Family Studies
• Systems-Centered Training and Research Institute (SCTRI)