There’s a distinct yet universal frustration that arises when we seem to have it all together on the outside, and yet on the inside, we feel stuck, unable to break free, change how we feel, or align who we are with who we believe we should be. It’s bewildering to be someone smart, well-liked, professionally successful, a loyal friend, a caring family member—someone with so much to offer—and still experiencing profound inner suffering. We tell ourselves, I’m a good person; I shouldn’t be struggling like this. This disconnect can leave us feeling deeply confused.

Over time, that confusion grows into frustration. It might show up as being the person everyone relies on for support and compassion, while inwardly battling relentless self-criticism and shame. Or it might look like knowing intellectually what emotions you should feel and why, but still feeling disconnected and numb inside.

This frustration often leads to questioning: Is this just how life will always feel? Can I ever break free from these patterns and be the person I truly want to be?

If any of this resonates with you, welcome. You are in the right place. I know how much desperation and strength it takes to find yourself at this juncture. I’m glad that this is where we get to meet.

As a therapist, I’ve spent a lot of time reflecting on what it truly takes to get unstuck, both in my own life and in the lives of my clients. The process is rarely simple or linear, and I’ve come to see it as something we’re not meant to navigate on our own–or at least not entirely on our own. Sharing our stuck-ness with someone (who we like!) who can help us to see the forest for the trees can be invaluable. I’ve also come to understand that the process of getting unstuck isn’t about escaping your suffering–it’s about stepping into it with openness and curiosity. By doing this, you create space to grow and expand into a fuller, more authentic version of yourself. It’s not about fixing or fighting what’s painful, but about learning to sit with what’s hard and finding freedom along the way.

The process of realizing, reframing, and connecting the dots can be transformative and I personally find it deeply rewarding to explore these insights with clients. But as powerful as this work is, true transformation requires more than just cognitive understanding. It invites us to engage not just our minds, but to feel our emotions, experience our bodies, and disengage our defenses that we’ve had to employ in order to protect ourselves up until now. It is therefore natural and expected that we will encounter resistance in all its forms–it is par for the course when we are on the verge of a big shift. Fear, doubt, skepticism, and dismissal can often arise as our system—both consciously and unconsciously—does everything it can to maintain the status quo, even if it causes us to suffer. That’s part of the work too. Together, we’ll make space for all of it, approaching whatever comes up with compassion, because the obstacles in the path are the path.

One of the most important things to me as a therapist is being able to walk the walk. I have had the privilege of knowing and working with my own long-time therapist (and now mentor) for well over a decade. She is the embodiment of what it means to live by example. Her passion for her craft and dedication to building a meaningful life has inspired me to do the same and to bring the same sense of groundedness and love to my work with clients, in a way that feels authentic to who I am. To me, walking the walk means actively pursuing growth and well-being in my mind, body, and spirit, while recognizing that these areas are always in flux. I profess to be just as type-A as the clients who often find their way to me, so while I don’t expect perfection–or rather, I remind myself not to–my commitment to my clients means that I uphold the commitments I make to myself. I also challenge myself to never give my clients advice that I can’t follow myself.

Over the course of working together, I aim to synthesize and integrate all of the evolving facets of who you are. As your therapist, I hope you are able to cultivate a life that you are genuinely excited to get up every day and participate in. I hope we are able to partner together to move you into a new paradigm where you feel capable and confident to confront the challenges life throws your way. I show up to my sessions present, eager to connect, and endlessly curious about you. I’m excited to accompany you on this next step of your journey! There are so many wonderful things ahead of you.

Jess holds a Master of Social Work degree from the New York University Silver School of Social Work. She is a certified advanced practitioner of pain reprocessing therapy (PRT) through the Pain Psychology Center, trained in the Sarno x Sachs Solution for mind-body healing and chronic pain/illness recovery, and a member of the Association of the Treatment of Neuroplastic Symptoms (ATNS). She is currently undergoing training with the Somatic Experiencing Professional Training program. She specializes in working with adults navigating chronic pain and conditions, anxiety, depression, perfectionism, a harsh inner critic, and chronic hypervigilance. In addition, she works extensively with men who are looking to cultivate emotional depth, relational awareness, and a version of masculinity that supports genuine connection and well-being. Jess is deeply committed to advancing the understanding and treatment of chronic pain and neuroplastic conditions through ongoing study and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Read an article written by Jess on how therapy can heal chronic pain. 

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