Therapeutic Approach
I believe people make sense when we understand the experiences that shaped them.
Rather than beginning with, “What is wrong with you?” I am much more interested in understanding what happened, what you learned to do to survive or adapt, and what your thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and relationships are trying to communicate now.
My approach to therapy is integrative. I draw heavily from Internal Family Systems (IFS), attachment theory, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), EMDR, DBT, ACT, motivational interviewing, existential therapy, and hypnosis, depending on the person and what we are working on. I don’t believe every person needs the same therapeutic model, and I don’t try to fit people into one.
A significant part of my work involves helping people understand their inner world. We all develop different ways of protecting ourselves. One part of us may become anxious and hypervigilant, another may shut down, another may become angry, perfectionistic, controlling, avoidant, compulsive, or desperate to keep everyone happy. These responses usually developed for a reason.
Instead of fighting those parts of ourselves, therapy gives us an opportunity to become curious about them: What are they protecting? What are they afraid would happen if they stopped? What do they need now that they didn’t receive then?
Understanding, however, is only part of therapy.
Therapy is also about experiencing something different.
Insight alone doesn’t always change the nervous system. You can understand exactly why you react a certain way and still find yourself reacting the same way when you become overwhelmed.
Because of that, my work is often experiential. We may work with emotions as they happen in the room, notice what is occurring in your body, work directly with different parts of yourself, process traumatic experiences, practice tolerating difficult emotions, challenge old patterns, or develop new ways of responding when your nervous system becomes activated.
Sometimes the work is deep and emotional. Sometimes it is practical and behavioral. Often it is both.
The therapeutic relationship matters.
I believe healing happens within relationship, not simply through techniques.
For many people, therapy may be one of the first places where they can tell the whole truth about their experience without needing to protect someone else, minimize what happened, perform, explain themselves, or worry about being judged.
I want therapy to be a place where you can be understood before you are asked to change.
That doesn’t mean therapy is passive. Compassion and accountability can exist together. My role isn’t simply to validate everything you feel or tell you what you want to hear. At times I will challenge you, point out patterns, ask uncomfortable questions, or help you recognize where something that once protected you is now interfering with the life or relationships you want.
My goal is not to “fix” you.
My goal is to help you understand yourself well enough that you have more choice.
More choice in how you respond when you’re hurt.
More choice when anxiety tells you something terrible is about to happen.
More choice when an old wound gets activated in a relationship.
More choice when part of you wants to shut down, escape, attack, please, control, or give up.
Ultimately, I see therapy as helping people develop a more compassionate and honest relationship with themselves while becoming increasingly capable of living according to their values rather than automatically responding from old wounds.
The goal isn’t a life without pain.
It is becoming more able to remain present, connected, intentional, and fully yourself—even when life hurts.
About Jade
Integrative Depth-Oriented Psychotherapy
Therapy that goes beyond managing symptoms to understand what’s happening underneath them.
Jade has been the president of AAIM Counseling since 2007. He has had experience in treating addictions, mood, and other psychological issues since 2002. Jade is a graduate of the University of Utah, where he obtained a Masters degree and received the “Student of the Year” award for his high achievement and service through his graduate program. Jade has published the book “Healing Secrets” and numerous academic papers concerning the psychological process. During and after graduate school, Jade worked with the University of Utah Neuropsychiatric Institute’s (UNI) “Resilient Youth” Study and was an outpatient aftercare coordinator for UNI’s Recovery Works Program. After graduate school, Jade worked for ARCH Counseling and New Haven. Jade also worked for LDS Family Services (2004-2016). Beginning as an intern with Family Services, Jade helped pioneer their “Journey to Confidence” program. Jade is a member of AMCAP, NASW, and Psi Chi. With Psi Chi, Jade received the “Service to the Community” award and served as Vice President of the organization at the University of Utah in 2003. Jade has had additional training in Motivational Interviewing, and is part of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT). He is Certified Dialectical Behavioral Therapist and has run DBT skills groups since 2004. He is a Substance Abuse Provider (SAP) through UDOT. He also has training in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Domestic Violence intervention (certified), Emotional Focused Therapy, Hypnotherapy, and EMDR.
Awards
- Student of the Year
University of Utah, School of Social Work, Alumni Association - Outstanding Community Service Award
Psi Chi National Honor Society, University of Utah - Service Above and Beyond
Mortar Board Honor Society. University of Utah Chapter
Affiliations
National Association of Social Workers
MINT – Motivational Interviewing
Evergreen Certification
American Psychological Association, Student Affiliate
Psi Chi National Honor Society of Psychology
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy Certification- Phi Kappa Phi
- Golden Key International Honor Society
- Mortar Board
- Phi Theta Kappa
- National Dean’s List
Presentations
Mangus, J. (AMCAP 2008, October)
Journey to Confidence: A Shame Recovery Group Approach to Working with Avoidant Clients
Presentation Summary: Many clients are avoidant of their own healing, and shame is usually at the core of this avoidance. These clients may hide from family members, friends, and themselves, which leads to a perpetuation of dysfunctional cycles. Isolation, loneliness, and perceptions of abandonment exacerbate a shameful identity. In this presentation, a group approach will be explored for helping those attempting to break the cycle of shame.
Mangus, J (AMCAP 2008 April)
Motivational Interviewing with Compulsive Pornography Issues
Presentation Summary: Motivational interviewing is a directive, person-centered counseling style for eliciting behavior change by helping clients to explore and resolve ambivalence. Compared with non-directive counseling, it is more focused and goal-directed. Motivational interviewing is a subtle balance of directive and person-centered components, shaped by a guiding philosophy of understanding change. In
this presentation, motivational interviewing methods are reviewed, with applications to treatment for pornography addiction discussed.
Jade Mangus, M.A.
Motivational Interviewing: The Basics
Workshop Summary: Motivational interviewing is a directive, client-centered counseling style for eliciting behavior change by helping clients to explore and resolve ambivalence. Compared with non-directive counseling, it is more focused and goal-directed. The examination and resolution of ambivalence is its central purpose, and the counselor is intentionally active in pursuing this goal. This workshop will focus on seeking to understand another’s frame of reference; expressing acceptance and affirmation; eliciting and selectively reinforcing the client’s own self motivational statements expressing problem recognition, concern, desire and intentionality in change; and monitoring the client’s degree of readiness to change
Mangus, J. (2007, February)
“Rowing with OARS”: Utilization of Motivational Interviewing, Opening Strategies. LDS Family Services.
Cowen, G., Mangus, J. (2003, November)
Use of Client-Centered Force Presentations, III interventions in group and individual psychotherapy.
University of Utah
Publications
Mangus, J (in press) Healing Secrets: Self-Medicating Our Most Important Relationships. Springville, Utah: Cedar Fort
Release Date: 5/8/10