Jessica E. Garcia
M.A.
She | Her | Hers
Complex Trauma | Depression and Anxiety | Issues Related to Multiculturalism | Gender & Sexuality | Issues Related to Identity & Relationships
My Background
I am a Post-Doctoral fellow and I earned my Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. I completed my pre-doctoral internship at Michigan State University’s Counseling and Psychiatric Services in 2018, where there was a strong focus on multiculturalism. Multiculturalism is something that is at the crux of our intersectional experiences as human beings, and I believe integrating one’s intersectional cultural experiences is necessary for me to better understand both their lived experiences as well as our co-constructed therapeutic relationship. I have worked at several universities as a clinician and enjoy working with adults and emerging adults. I am trained as a generalist, but I particularly enjoy working with individuals who have experienced complex trauma, people who have difficulties in their views of themselves/with others, and people who are working to better understand their place in the world. I am part of the LGBTQ+ community and also enjoy working with clients who are also part of that community. For the past three years I have been working with individuals who utilize Ketamine treatment for depression and/or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. I have found great success in integrating psychotherapy with individuals who are undergoing Ketamine treatments and believe that there is power in psychedelic-assisted therapy for those who wish to pursue it.
At the core of my therapeutic values, I believe that consciousness is power. Many clients seek therapy with hopes to better understand themselves as people and how they relate to others, or because patterns in their lives have become ineffective or dissatisfying. Every client is different and I tailor my approach accordingly. I believe that we are a culmination of our life experiences based upon the various facets of our identity, and how that intersects with the feedback we’ve received and internalized from others. My hope in working with clients is to help them gain insight into their patterns, to collaboratively help them make appropriate changes, and to help them live a life filled with meaning. I am psychodynamically trained and utilize interpersonal and humanistic/existential treatment modalities to better understand your way of “being in the world” and to connect past experiences to current functioning. Sometimes in order to move forward we must go back, and I seek to find a sweet spot of providing you with what you need coupled with helping you get to where you want to go. I will not only help you to better understand your experiences, but I will help you to live a life that is authentic to you that feels within your realm of control.
It is extremely important when finding a therapist that you find someone who you feel not only comfortable with, but excited to share the details of your life with! A little about me: I was born and raised from the Jersey Shore and definitely have an “East Coast” style of direct communication. I am upbeat, relatable, and utilize humor in all areas of my life. I’d say I have a pretty “thick skin” and think the best therapy outcomes are when clients are honest, especially about their experiences with me that might be enhancing or blocking progress. I am incredibly open to feedback and feel that once things become conscious in the therapy room (or computer) we are able to work with it towards a desired outcome. I believe you are the biggest expert of your experience, and I enjoy utilizing therapy as a collaborative space for us to meet your goals. In my spare time I enjoy exploring the city, biking and relaxing on the lakefront, and attending concerts. I find joy in being a social justice advocate and amplifying voices that need amplifying. I am constantly growing and evolving, and I am passionate about helping others do the same for themselves. I am also a huge fan of RuPaul’s Drag Race and Italian food.