A place where you don’t have to be the strong one
Online therapy based in Aptos and serving clients across California
Grief and Loss | Trauma | Anxiety | Perfectionism | Christian Therapy | Therapy for Therapists
You know something needs to change.
You know you are capable, that you can do hard things. You’ve always been the responsible one that others rely on.
But lately, you’re at the edge of your capacity and you’re worried that the breaking point isn’t far off. You feel anxious more often than not, and even when you manage to quiet your mind you still feel the tension in your body. Small things that wouldn’t normally get to you feel overwhelming. It’s like you’re holding your breath waiting for something to crack. And you still show up for everyone else, but now there’s a new loneliness. It’s so rare for you to feel truly seen, to feel understood without having to explain, to be the one who gets supported.
Maybe you’re in the middle of a divorce trying to hold everything together while your world breaks down around you. Maybe someone close to you died, and the grief is so much more painful and intrusive than you expected. Maybe you’re carrying trauma that keeps coming back up just when you think you’ve finally gotten past it.
From the outside, maybe nobody would know. You’re tired of being the strong, dependable one who manages everyone else’s needs at the expense of your own. You want space to breathe, where you don’t have to perform, where you can be honest about what’s happening and how you’re really feeling.
I’m Jessica, a therapist based in Aptos and serving clients across California.
I work with people who are used to being seen as the strong one, even when they feel like things are falling apart.
When you come in feeling stressed and overwhelmed, it makes sense to start with relief. Mindfulness-based therapy helps calm the anxiety and stress so you have room to breathe again. But we don’t stop there.
Once there’s enough space to slow down, we can get into depth-focused work including trauma methods like EMDR to explore what’s underneath the patterns keeping you stuck in these cycles.
Therapy with me has room for both: relief when you need it, and depth when you’re ready for it.
Clients often tell me they gain insights they’ve never reached before in previous therapy or self-work. They describe our session time as feeling calm, open, and deeply safe. It’s a place where they can speak honestly about things they’ve never said out loud before. If you’re looking for thoughtful, integrative therapy that addresses your current symptoms while also exploring the core level patterns beneath them, you’re in the right place.
Areas of Specialization
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Grief and Loss
Grief isn’t simple. Often it doesn’t ease over time or follow a clear timeline. You might feel deep sadness, relief, anger, or regret. Therapy offers space to talk about all your thoughts, emotions, and memories, not just the ones that are acceptable or positive. Both death and non-death losses are welcome here.
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Perfectionism and People Pleasing
Therapy for those who feel pressure to do what they’re supposed to instead of connecting with their actual wants and needs. We explore the deeper patterns beneath perfectionism and people-pleasing to help you create a life that feels restful and authentic.
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Anxiety and Stress
You’ve been the dependable one for so long, and your nervous system is starting to show the strain. Anxiety, body tension, difficulty sleeping, and chronic stress build up until even small things feel overwhelming. Together, we calm the immediate symptoms while exploring the pressures and relational patterns keeping you in survival mode.
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Trauma and EMDR
When the past doesn’t stay in the past, trauma resurfaces in ways that feel intrusive, disproportionate, or shameful. I integrate trauma-focused methods including EMDR with reflective, depth-oriented work to help your mind and body reprocess the parts that are still unresolved.
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Christian Therapy
Therapy for Christians who are going through grief and loss, trauma, perfectionism, or struggling with anxious thoughts and want to integrate their faith into their therapy experience. Your spiritual life, questions, and values are welcome here alongside your psychological and relational work.
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Therapy for Therapists
When you’re the one who holds space for others, it can be difficult to find a place where you don’t have to manage the room. I offer clinicians the depth, safety, and room to explore their own patterns without the pressure to perform. For therapists of all levels, including students who need hours for school.
Getting started with online therapy
We’ll begin with a complimentary 20 minute video consultation. This conversation is an opportunity to ask questions, talk through what’s bringing you here, and see whether my pace and approach to therapy feel like a good fit for you. You don’t need to wait until things fall apart to seek support, and you don’t have to continue carrying everything on your own.
If you’re ready for work that makes room for both present-moment relief and exploration of depth, I’d be glad to connect.