Dr. Jay Pietrzak
I’m Dr. Jay Pietrzak, a California Licensed Clinical Psychologist with over a decade of experience in private practice and community mental health. Before becoming licensed, I held various roles—including Executive Director—at dual diagnosis residential recovery centers.
Prior to my work in psychology, I served in the military as a U.S. Navy SEAL—an experience that revealed and developed inner strengths I bring to my work as both a psychologist and a spiritual emergence coach.
Training and Clinical Orientation
I hold postgraduate degrees from Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology (M.A. in Psychology) and Ryokan College (Psy.D.). My clinical approach is informed by evidence-based science and guided by the principles of Transpersonal Psychology. A central focus of my work is the intersection of psychological distress and spiritual emergence.
I’ve found that interventions rooted in spiritual and somatic psychology often provide the most effective support for holistic healing from trauma-related conditions, including anxiety and depression.
Rising Signs Psychology Group
I’m the founder of Rising Signs Psychology Group, where I lead a team of California Registered Psychological Associates providing individual and group psychotherapy, as well as spiritual emergence support. Clinically, I focus on trauma-related anxiety and depression, spiritual emergencies, and experiences that may be labeled as psychosis.
Rather than approaching these experiences solely as pathology, I explore their potential as signs of an emerging transformation. This view is consistent with my study of Transpersonal Psychology and informed in part by my 2017 introduction to Holotropic Breathwork with its co-founder and chief architect of Transpersonal Psychology, Dr. Stanislav Grof.
Me (Dr. Jay Pietrzak) & Dr. Stanislav Grof
Certifications and Spiritual Background
I’ve held certifications in Somatic Experiencing®, Integral Somatic Psychology™, and Spiritual Emergence Coaching with Integrative Mental Health University. My life is deeply informed by more than 20 years of study, group service meditations, and teacher training in the Ageless Wisdom tradition. This has given me a practical framework for working in complementary and alternative ways—such as through “rebirthing,” breathwork, energy work, dream work, creative expression, visualization, and most importantly, brain-mind-soul alignment.
Personal Practice and Self-Care
Personal self-care includes Topanga solitude, yoga, beach runs with a joyful three-legged dog who teaches me daily about presence, anxiety, and unconditional love. For nearly a decade I have traveled regularly to Central and South America to participate in traditional plant medicine ceremonies led by indigenous healers.
These experiences have expanded my understanding of healing beyond the clinical frame and into realms where consciousness, ritual, and community intersect. These journeys continue to deepen my self-understanding and strengthen my decades-long meditation practice. Next steps for me include continuing a years-long pursuit of becoming a mediocre surfer.
Why I Do This Work
The game-changer for me, after leaving the SEAL Teams and feeling uninspired by other career paths, was time spent at the Los Angeles Veterans Administration Hospital as a hospice volunteer. By the time the third person grabbed me by the arm and told me how much I had done for them, I said to myself, “If just showing up and caring has this big an impact on people, maybe I should learn how to do more.”
So, now after useful academic training and years of meaningful experience in the field of psychology, it continues to amaze me how profoundly we can affect each other by simply being present and caring. My hope for all who work with me—for all, really—is that you feel truly cared for, are able to remain present, and never underestimate the transformative power of simply showing up and caring.
“If just showing up and caring has this big an impact on people, maybe I should learn how to do more.”
-Dr. Jay
Sara Delia
Sara Delia
Office Administrator, Rising Signs Psychology Group
Sara Delia was born and raised in Italy and moved to Los Angeles at 24 to pursue a professional dance career. After appearing in numerous commercials, shows, and music videos, she shifted focus to academics, earning an AA in Psychology from Glendale Community College with a 4.0 GPA. She then went on to graduate from CSUN with a BA in Journalism and Public Relations, finishing with a 3.99 GPA.
During her time at CSUN, Sara received several honors, including the Top Scholar Award for highest undergraduate ranking. Sara is a published author, moderator, and research assistant. She also creates content for multiple nonprofit organizations.
A lifelong dancer, Sara expanded and translated her practice into yoga, completing her Yoga Teacher Training, followed by certifications in Yoga Nidra and Trauma-Informed Yoga. For over a decade Sara has worked as an office administrator for psychologists, and to this day she loves blending her passions for mental health and mindful movement in both her work and yoga classes.
Sara is fluent in Italian and English, with conversational proficiency in Spanish and Japanese.