Meet Jessica (She/Her)

License

Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker
EMDR, CPT, DNMS (parts work), I-CBT
Autistic Affirming ERP
Permanency and Adoption Competency Certified

Education

Master of Social Work: University of St. Thomas

Biography

Hi, my name is Jessica and yes you can call me Jess!

I am a neurodivergent trauma therapist who believes in accommodation and celebration over assimilation. Everyone’s brains are unique and adapted to their own circumstances, and I want to help you understand how to work with it and support your own experiences, strengths, and needs. Or maybe you have that all figured out already and you are looking for new techniques for managing daily stressors while honoring your unique needs.

I have worked with people as young as 4 all the way up through 70, though I typically focus on adolescents and up. My areas of interest include trauma (sexual trauma, intimate partner violence, childhood trauma, complex trauma), late identified autistics and ADHDers, neurodivergent caregivers of neurodivergent children, pathological demand avoidance/pervasive drive for autonomy, OCD, autism, and ADHD. I am Permanency and Adoption Competency certified and have extensive experience working with folks who have experienced adoption or the child welfare system.

My Practice

I am genuine, authentic, and direct (but with no shortage of positive regard, support, validation, and affirmation.) I fidget and stim during sessions and welcome you to do the same! I consider myself a trauma therapist and am trained in EMDR, CPT, and various parts work modalities, which I typically blend to best fit the needs of the person in front of me. I am also trained in I-CBT and autistic-affirming ERP for OCD. My clients choose where we go and what we do, and I believe strongly in involving youth in their own treatment planning and direction. I can be directive in therapy sessions if requested, but I typically take more of a client-led approach with help from me on pacing. I strive to be anti-racist and an LGBTQIA2S+ ally in all that I do. I am a disability advocate and work from a neuroinclusive, disability justice lens.