She/Her

Education/Experience
Jessica obtained her Master’s degree from Saint Mary’s University in 2006, in Human Development with a specialization in Art Therapy. She completed her practicum experience at Northeast Youth and Family Services adolescent day treatment program. Upon completion of her practicum, Jessica was hired as a program therapist and art therapist for the facility. She provided art therapy, individual and group psychotherapy, Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), and Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Jessica then worked with individuals and couples at Aslan Institute, in Eagan MN, providing couples’ therapy, mediation, and individual outpatient care. Jessica spent 1.5 years working for the child and adolescent care advocacy team for a major medical provider. Prior to joining the Harmony Mental Health formerly Parker Collins team, Jessica worked with Headway Emotional Health for 2.5 years, providing school-based outpatient individual and family therapy for children ages 5-12, consultation to school staff, and school-wide training.

Specialized Training
Jessica completed family mediation training with Dr. Irving at Hamline University, and was a Supreme Court Certified Neutral Under Rule 114 (Otherwise called a ‘mediator’), for 5 years. Jessica has shifted away from doing legal court mediation for couples but still applies negotiation practices in her work with couples and families.

Art therapy is a specialization that is able to provide processing of trauma in a way that does not re-traumatize the participant. It can be transformative for both adults and children, as it allows the unconscious parts of our brain, the parts that do not normally have direct expression, to communicate and heal. While art therapy was originally developed to assist physical recovery of skills, it has been found to be highly effective for providing diagnosis and treatment of trauma experiences.

Anchored Relational Model (formerly AIR Network) is a trauma-informed model to work with complex trauma and dissociation. This training was developed by experts in this field at Midwest Center for Trauma and Healing. Jessica has completed AIR Network and uses this model in working with clients who have experienced complex trauma and present with dissociative symptoms.

Jessica has completed training to be a state board-approved supervisor for LPCC.

Areas of Clinical Interest
Jessica is passionate about therapies that engage all areas of someone’s life experience and worldview, and are nurturing of individual and community strengths. Jessica believes in repairing relationships, increasing non-violent communication, using strategies and practices to repair early attachment disruption for children and families and increasing awareness of ourselves and others. She is interested in creating a genuine connection and using strengths as the basis for growth and conscious evolution.

Practice Areas
Jessica works with children, adolescents, individuals, couples, and families.

Personal Statement
I believe that every person has their own unique life path, and while life is often challenging, it should also be an enriching experience. It can be very challenging to know where and how we have power in our lives when things are difficult, and so I love helping children, adolescents, parents, caregivers, and friends discover their power. I tend to tailor my intervention strategies to the person or group I am working with, but I always will provide you with consistent, positive support. I always notice and point out my client’s strengths. I use CBT, DBT strategies, art therapy, play therapy, Anchored Relational Model (formerly AIR Network), and non-violent communication as the basis for my work with clients.

Professional Affiliations
Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy

Age Ranges
School Age (6-12), Adolescent (13-19), Adult (20-64)