Jess Barraca (she/hers/none)

I have worked in the mental health field for 11 years, specializing in trauma and sex therapy. I completed my undergraduate degree in Bachelor of Science in Psychology at University of Illinois in May, 2002. In May 2011, I earned a Master of Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University along with a Post-Baccalaureate in Gender Violence Intervention. I successfully completed the University of Michigan Sexual Health Certificate Program in March, 2018. I have been involved in the planning several local Pride events. I was on the Maryland Human Sex Trafficking Task Force. I provide trainings on LGBTQIA+, domestic violence, and child abuse. I bring this experience into my sessions. I provide education- without lecturing- to allow people to make informed decisions about what is the best decision for their life. My role is not to tell you what to do, but to learn how to respond in better ways than before whether new copings skills or challenging negative thoughts.

I believe that mental health care is as important as our medical health care. We go to the doctor for regular check-ups, I feel that our mental health care should be viewed in the same fashion. We can go to learn new skills to handle stress, to navigate through difficult times, to sort through past traumas, to work through identity questions, and to learn new communication techniques. In addition to believing that taking care of our mental health, I believe it should be affordable. I accept several insurances and I leave a few spots for those that require reduced fees. Having a good therapeutic relationship with your therapist is vital to the collaborative process. The first few sessions are focused on developing that rapport. Together we will decide frequency, length, goals, etc. I am involved in my local Pride center and my local Domestic Violence agency as both causes are close to my heart. I am an animal lover and some of my pets may sit in my office while we work.