About Jessica

I am a trauma-informed mental health and relationship coach. I have been passionate about the behavioral and social sciences most of my adult life, particularly why we think and behave the way we do, how our environment impacts us, and what it means to thrive emotionally and relationally. I have a Masters degree in Mental Health Counseling and a Bachelor’s degree in Media Studies (how the media influences and impacts our lives), these and other forms of learning/training combined with my own growthful life experience, helped me put my passion for helping people into meaningful practice.

Over the past several years, I have invested a great deal of time and resources into becoming educated about relationships, neuroscience, trauma, sexual issues, betrayal trauma, gender equality, media literacy, relational intimacy, healthy sexuality, and how to create a purpose-driven life. Relationships are what bring people into therapy more than any other issue, and the experts agree that healthy, safe connection is a large part of the treatment for any mental health issue, and for many people that begins with a coach or a counselor. Purpose and meaning are also a large part of mental wellness, as it is a key tenet of healthy identity development. We live in a culture that in many ways undermines our physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health, our relationships, and higher good. It is my intention to help empower people in these areas with a grounded and workable approach towards authenticity and integrated well-being. (See below for a partial list of my trainings and certifications as well as some of what is on my bookshelf).

Education, Trainings & Certifications

  • Masters degree in Mental Health Counseling
  • Bachelor’s degree in Communications/Media Studies
  • Board member for Culture Reframed
  • Trauma Institute Seminar (Argosy University)
  • The Treating Trauma Master Series (NICABM)
  • Relational Life Therapy – Level 1 & 2 Training (with Terry Real)
  • Relationship As Path Training (with Jayson Gaddis)
  • Stop Porn Culture Conference (Boston, MA)
  • National Center on Sexual Exploitation Annual Conference (Orlando, FL)
  • Human Trafficking Training (Saint Leo University, Dept of Criminal Justice)
  • Certified Yoga Instructor (RYT 200 hours)
  • Yoga Therapy Training and Workshop (with Doug Keller)
  • Yoga for Veterans Training (by Connected Warriors)
  • Therapy Mastermind Circle (with Diane Poole Heller)
  • The Neuroscience Training Summit (presented by Sounds True)
  • How to Work With Shame (NICABM)
  • Overcoming Anxiety with Mindfulness (NICABM)
  • Working with Men (with Terry Real)
  • From Pornography to Intimacy: Changing the Triggers for Sexual Arousal (Harmony Place Monterey)
  • Sexual Difficulties Following Childhood Sexual Abuse (Harmony Place Monterey)
  • Many more…

On My Bookshelf (Partial List)

  • “How Can I Get Through to You” by Terry Real
  • “I Don’t Want to Talk About It” by Terry Real
  • “The New Rules of Marriage” by Terry Real
  • “Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma” by Peter Levine
  • “Getting the Love You Want” by Harville Hendrix
  • “Pornland” by Gail Dines
  • “Wired for Love” by Stan Tatkin
  • “We Do” by Stan Tatkin
  • “How to be an Adult in Relationships” by David Richo
  • “Rewire Your Brain for Love” by Marsha Lucas
  • “Paid For” by Rachel Moran
  • “A New Earth” by Eckhart Tolle
  • “Half the Sky” by Nicholas Kristof & Sheryl WuDunn
  • “Big Magic” by Elizabeth Gilbert
  • “Man’s Search for Meaning” by Viktor Frankl
  • “The Body Keeps The Score” by Bessel Van Der Kolk
  • “Knowing Your Shadow” by Robert Augustus Masters
  • “A Call To Action: Women, Religion, Violence and Power” by Jimmy Carter
  • “The Anatomy and Evolution of Anger” by Robert Augustus Masters
  • “How to Control Your Anger Before it Controls You” by Albert Ellis
  • “The Five Love Languages” by Gary Chapman
  • “Trauma, PTSD, Grief & Loss” by M. Dubi, P. Powell & J.E Gentry
  • “Restored” by Matt & Cameron Fradd
  • “Hold Me Tight” by Sue Johnson
  • “The End of Patriarchy” by Robert Jensen