Jessica with five foster kittens

Josephine, co-Therapist - perpetually on probation for eating paper

I know that reaching out to a therapist - whether it’s your first time or one of many attempts - can make you feel vulnerable, especially when you're in a season of life that looks so different from the one you once knew. If you are navigating the challenges of infertility while building your career, adapting to work-life balance after becoming a parent, or coping with the complexities of grief, you deserve a space to explore your emotions, learn more about who you are and work toward goals that fit your vision for an authentic life.

When I was struggling with infertility, loss, grief and the challenges of becoming a parent, I struggled to find a counselor who understood the complicated mix of emotions I was feeling. As such, I made it my goal to become for others what I had needed for myself - a compassionate clinician skilled in reproductive and maternal mental health. You’re not alone, and you deserve support from someone who truly understands both where you've been and where you are now.

I began my career in mental health in 1998 at NorthShore University Health System (formerly Evanston Northwestern Healthcare), where I worked with adults experiencing a wide range of mental health challenges. My professional experience includes collaborations with state public health departments as well as non-profits and government agencies. My work was primarily focused on community health and social impacts related to domestic violence, sexual assault, and LGBTQIA+ health equity. Over the last 25 years, I’ve worked across many areas within the field, including direct clinical care, research, and community advocacy, with a special focus on issues impacting women, families, and underserved communities. In 2008, I decided to focus on working solely with those struggling with infertility. I realized quickly that a natural extension of that work was pregnancy and maternal mental health. In 2019, I opened Willow River Wellness to offer direct care to all of you facing these challenges.

I’m licensed to provide telehealth counseling in Vermont, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida. As a Qualified Supervisor, I mentor new clinicians as they move toward licensure, and I proudly serve as the Postpartum Support International Florida Chapter co-Chair. Weekends often include hiking, kayaking, travel and volunteering, most especially within my church and as a foster mom for the local animal shelter.

In session with me, you will find a space where you can feel heard, respected, and supported without judgment. Our work together might include exploring identity, adjusting to the demands of motherhood, reconnecting with parts of yourself that may feel lost, or simply finding time and space to breathe and reflect. Sometimes, we say the quiet parts out loud. Always, we move closer to your goals. Treatment is client-led and adapted to your specific needs, whether you are feeling deep and reflective or light and humorous, I’m with you.