About

Jessica (she, her) provides a person centered, strength based, trauma informed approach to counseling services. Jessica is a Licensed Professional Counselor in both Oregon and Colorado (LPC.0017919) and has recently transitioned from the fast paced world of community mental health to join the team at Brave Embodiment Counseling. Jessica received her Bachelors of Arts in Psychology from the University of Missouri Columbia in 2007 (Go Tigers!) and earned her Masters of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Capella University in 2019.  

Jessica has worked in the field of mental health for over 11 years. She started off as a group leader/youth specialist at an adolescent treatment facility ran by the State of Missouri. This is where she learned that barriers in life are more than just your socioeconomic status or access to resources and where she began to understand how the treatment of past trauma can alleviate current suffering and promote overall wellbeing.   She then moved into the role of mental health clinician at a fast paced Crisis Stabilization Unit in the Denver Metro area.  In this role she learned that clients are the experts in their own situations, that they are on their healing journey and that the job of the treatment provider is to guide and support on that journey, not to pick the path or to drive the vehicle, which has led to a client centered focus on therapy.  Most recently Jessica has served at the program coordinator of the Assertive Community Treatment team at an outpatient office in rural Oregon. This position is where she learned that self-compassion is an essential part of not only healing or treatment, but of everyday life.  

Clinically Jessica practices from a trauma informed, whole person perspective. She utilizes techniques from both CBT, typically focusing on aspects of CBT for trauma, and DBT, with a significant focus on mindfulness and strengthening the connection between the mind and body. Sessions are always strength based and person centered, focusing on the client and their presenting needs regardless of techniques used. Jessica believes that the client is the expert on themselves and with the appropriate support can live congruently with their authentic self and reach a state of optimal wellness. Jessica believes that it is her job to join the client on their journey and to trust that where the client wants to go will always lead to where the client needs to go.  She is there to support, to clarify, to encourage, to empower, and to help clients discover themselves in a safe, compassionate, and accepting environment.  

Jessica is comfortable working with clients dealing with a wide variety of issues. She is comfortable supporting individuals whose past experiences are leading to blockages in their current functioning, with individuals with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD and other mental health diagnosis, with individuals struggling in a relationship or with setting boundaries in their life, with individuals who are members of the LGBTQ+ community or who are members of other marginalized communities, with individuals struggling with self-worth or self-esteem, and even those dealing with mild psychosis.  

In her personal life Jessica is a wife and a mother of two amazing kids and a fur baby ☺. She enjoys being outside and engaging in nature therapy. She enjoys learning and constantly seeks opportunities to grow as a person and as a professional. She loves music and movies and feels energized around water, especially oceans and waterfalls, oh that natural power and strength.  She promotes peace, balance, and overall wellness, focusing on authenticity.  As a member of a multi-racial family Jessica is an advocate for social justice, for promoting racial and ethnic equality, and for promoting true healing from racial traumas.  

Jessica is very excited for you to begin your journey to peace and healing and is proud of you for taking your time and focusing your energy on yourself and your needs. Jessica would be happy to answer any questions that you may have about what beginning your journey with Brave Embodiment Counseling looks like and looks forward to hearing from you.