As California continues to grapple with a rising demand for therapy services amid a therapist shortage, Just in Time’s Mental Wellness Director Dr. Jill Ault and Just in Time’s Mental Wellness team have accomplished something extraordinary – Providing more than 1,750 therapy sessions last fiscal year to transition age foster youth free of charge, regardless of insurance, and without having to seek outside referrals for care. Not only that, we have expanded services to include a comprehensive, community-based model designed specifically for transition age foster youth. 

In addition to an established team that includes nine onsite therapists offering telehealth, family and couples counseling, Just in Time offers community-based wellness services that promote group activities like arts, crafts, hiking and yoga. There are also opportunities for young people to work on personal narrative development, to help them build identity, resilience and belonging. Our most recent development has been a support group for new mothers called “Mommy & Me.” 

“In a traditional setting, if therapy is not meeting all your needs, you are referred out,” Ault says. “Here, we can offer alternative pathways in-house, whether that is community, storytelling, or new wellness practices.” 

This approach is grounded in the understanding that mental health is deeply related to connection and identity, especially for young people who have experienced foster care. 

“Being able to rewrite your story allows you to separate your identity from what has happened to you,” Ault says. “That is where empowerment and healing begin.” As demand for mental health services grows, Just in Time offers a model that expands access while redefining care, integrating therapy with community, connection, and long-term resilience. 

Vanessa Manes is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and founder of Strong Sense of Self Family Counseling. She earned her Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and has worked across private practice, academic, and community mental health settings supporting young adults, families, and individuals. She also serves as an adjunct professor mentoring future therapists. 

Vanessa joined Just in Time because of its commitment to community, connection, and empowering foster youth through meaningful support and relationships. As Mental Wellness Manager, she helps lead JIT’s mental wellness programming and provides supervision and mentorship to pre-licensed clinicians. She brings a trauma-informed, relational approach focused on emotional safety, resilience, and personal growth.