Life is hard.
We all hit challenges of some kind or another and often need support.
Jessa entered this field intending to be someone people can lean on in the hard times and guide them through personal development to reach their goals.
If you are feeling misunderstood, stuck, or in pain, she is ready and willing to help.
One of Jessa’s favorite parts of being a therapist is knowing that every person has a unique story.
We all tell stories about our lives; it’s human nature.
Not only do these stories describe where we have been, but they often shape the way that we view ourselves, others, and the world around us.
Sometimes, we aren’t even aware that these stories exist or are impacting us so profoundly.
Through therapy, we can discover how these stories affect our daily functioning, interactions with others, and beliefs about ourselves.
When you feel stuck, misunderstood, or in pain, you may need help adjusting the story you are telling yourself.
That’s where Jessa comes in.
She works with clients of many backgrounds who have different challenges to help them shift their stories to create changes in their lives.
One way of doing this is through a narrative therapy model in which a therapist and client work together to identify, rewrite, and expand the stories that impact your thoughts and actions.
Jessa believes that it is through action and experiences that we can correct and reshape our lives.
During therapy with her, expect to dive deep into your emotions, talk through your story and engage in conversation and activities designed to promote growth and change.
Sometimes these activities are out of the box and can be uncomfortable, to begin with, but you won’t have to do this alone; Jessa takes an active role in being with you every step of the way.
Guiding you through these processes, she can help you change the messages you tell yourself and heal from past experiences.
Jessa recognizes that every person is a complex individual and that the challenges they face result from many intersecting factors.
She will work to get to know the ins and outs of your challenges as they relate to you physically, mentally, emotionally, socially, and spiritually.
She also acknowledges that there are elements beyond your own person, such as the family you grew up in, your race, religion, and sexual identity or orientation, that create unique circumstances which impact your life.
Jessa works with clients experiencing the following mental health challenges:
Jessa is an Oregon native who enjoys anything related to nature or creating.
Her favorite self-care activities include being outside, gardening, sewing, and painting.
She also enjoys these activities more when in her husband’s company.
Jessa spends a lot of time reading and writing.
She would consider herself an extroverted introvert as she enjoys getting to know others while appreciating solitude’s peace and quiet.
She is currently a student at Utah Valley University pursuing her master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy.
She has seen clients at UVU as well.
She has a bachelor’s degree in Family Studies from Brigham Young University.
Lets face it, who likes to talk about their crap with other people?
If you’re like most clients, you’re used to being judged despite hearing so many people talk about non judgment and when you do open up, it seems like the more you share, the less likely you are to get compassion.
We’ve worked our butts off to create a clinic where the unfiltered, real you, can show up and heal, so dammit give therapy a chance!
We love the unfiltered real you, let’s heal together. – Utah Family Therapy Team
