A little bit ’bout Jess

 History

I grew up in a rural area in the thumb of Michigan, an environment that taught me early on about the power of community and human connection. My formative years in nonprofit work deepened my understanding of communal support and the importance of community care. I worked alongside individuals and families in my community through advocacy and supportive services. During my time at the nonprofit, I worked with survivors of crime and violence to ensure that all victims of crime, regardless of the nature of their victimization, have access to essential services and advocacy to aid in their recovery and to navigate the complexities of the criminal justice system. My time at the nonprofit also served as a catalyst for nurturing my passion for social advocacy, ultimately leading me to pursue a degree in counseling. My background merges nonprofit involvement, social justice advocacy, victim service provision, and licensed professional counseling. This blend crafts a holistic approach that bridges personal support with broader societal change. Drawing from each area’s strength, I aim to foster healing, champion justice, and empower individuals and communities alike. This multifaceted perspective enriches the therapeutic relationship, providing depth and understanding tailored to everyone’s experiences, while also acknowledging the broader contexts that shape their lives. 

What a session with Jess looks like

In our telehealth sessions, we’ll engage closely, combining the intimacy of traditional therapy with the convenience of your preferred environment. My role is to listen, understand, and support, always adopting a non-judgmental approach. As someone who is neurodiverse, I have a deep connection to the various neurodiverse communities and firmly believe in understanding neurodiversity as a natural variation rather than a “disorder”. During our time together, we’ll explore a variety of counseling techniques tailored to your needs, including EMDR, an effective approach even in a telehealth setting. I also draw upon principles from WPATH and stand firm in my commitment to the LGBTQIA+, gender, HAES, and ENM/poly communities. I champion the notion that individual agency and autonomy, when exercised without harm to others, are paramount for self-actualization.

A personal Take on Body acceptance

Throughout my life, the influence of societal expectations around body image has been profound. From the days in elementary school, when I felt compelled to shrink both physically and in voice, to later years where exercise became less about joy and more about retribution, I’ve experienced the burdensome nature of these pressures. As I journeyed further into understanding myself, the principles of HAES (Health At Every Size) offered a fresh perspective, challenging the restrictive eating habits and constant scale-checking that diet culture had ingrained in me. This transformation hasn’t made me immune to struggles, but it has provided me with tools to approach them with greater compassion and a focus on intuitive eating. I’ve come to recognize and critique the wider harm that diet culture perpetuates, leading me to a more peaceful and holistic relationship with my body. And with this newfound perspective, my mission has solidified: to support others in navigating their own path towards a healthier relationship with their bodies and food.