Jessica Amashta LCSW

I have years of experience working with healthcare providers who are experiencing burnout given their long work hours and systemic issues. I encourage clients to figure out what is in their control versus out of their control in order to make changes that are aligned with their values. I have also provided treatment to students who are experiencing academic burnout.

Depressive symptoms can be isolating and debilitating. Oftentimes, I provide some psychoeducation on how to recognize depressive symptoms and recognize the impact of decreased functioning. I utilize a variety of modalities such as CBT, ACT, and DBT in order to provide some ways to improve functioning and decrease symptoms.

Recognizing the warning signs of anxiety is essential for treatment. I encourage clients to identify both the thoughts and feelings as well as physical sensations that might alert them to heightened anxiety. Utilizing strategies like cognitive restructuring and other CBT strategies, clients will feel equipped to better manage symptoms.

What I like most about DBT is the ability to provide clients with skills in these four areas: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. The opportunity for clients to better manage their emotions through incorporating these strategies is important.

Through the identification and challenging of negative thoughts, clients can learn to move away from those thoughts and utilize more positive ways of viewing themselves. CBT is a therapeutic modality that has been utilized for a while and has proven effective in helping clients have more adaptive thoughts and decrease symptoms. I have found success with this approach because it's easily understood and digestible.

I have utilized ACT strategies regularly, especially with health care workers who are feeling stuck. Through adopting psychological flexibility and better understanding their values, clients feel empowered to make changes.