Jessie Spence (they/them/theirs)

My clients are the experts on themselves-- I just use my knowledge and experience to help guide, teach, and support along the way. I work hard to make sure my office is a safe place of non-judgment where people can take risks, be vulnerable, and learn about themselves. I am calm, grounded, attentive, open-minded, and caring. I know when to give my clients a supportive nudge toward change and when to listen with empathy. Clients appreciate that I am gentle, yet firm, with challenging them. My approach is psychodynamic and values-based. I firmly believe that we aren't defined by our anxious thoughts or depressed moods-- we are defined by our values, the things that are really important to us in life. I use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy concepts in my work.

Many of my clients are distressed because they are having a normal and empathic reaction to the injustices of our world. My political beliefs center around socialism and the alleviation of oppression. I am moved by the power of collective action and healing I've seen in activist spaces. I believe people often become activists because of their trauma and that we need to address this trauma in order to bring about change and have successful political movements. I consider myself to be a feminist. Environmental justice and caring for our planet is important to me. I try to acknowledge my white privilege in my work and believe that Black Lives Matter and we need to work to end the oppression of people of color. I consider myself to be non-binary and welcome all genders at my practice. My perspective on sexuality is "your kink is your kink" and I work hard to be non-judgemental of the sexual preferences of my clients.