Jessica Alford, M.S. Ed., LCMHC, LPCC

After a decade of practice across several states, I've come to agree with Professor Yalom "that a different therapy must be constructed for each patient because each has a unique story." My approach varies, depending on my clients' needs. And so I begin with an integrative approach, stemming from my background in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, EMDR (eye movement desensitization reprocessing), Motivational Interviewing, and Relapse Prevention, each with somatic interventions. But for each client I will increase, reduce, disregard, or add those or other therapy approaches depending on needs, goals, and what works.

My specialties include trauma and PTSD, anxiety, depression, co-dependency, coping skills, relationship issues and interpersonal communication, self-esteem, self-harm, perinatal and postpartum concerns, women's issues, and substance abuse. I value creating a safe, non-judgmental space to build trust through curiosity, compassion, and humor. My trauma-focused work informs an open-minded view of my clients--many of the traits clients want to work on were once adaptive. That is, they served to protect my clients from something in their past. So rather than believe a "problem" needs "cured", I like to focus on the underlying need that may not be getting met. Helping clients identify the underlying basis for those unwanted or unhelpful traits, and working with my clients to develop new skills or approaches to see their basic needs fulfilled, is one of my favorite ways to serve.

On the personal front, I am an adventurer who thrives by learning, trying, and seeing new things. Laughter and connection are keys to both my professional and personal lives. Also, my two dogs and turtle tell me I'm a pretty good pet mom, though they might be biased.