Licensed to practice in 2 states and accepts 9 insurances. Specializes in Anxiety, Depression, Life Transitions and 9 more.
(she/her)
New to Grow
Hi, I’m Jessica Vargas LCSW, LISW and I believe therapy should feel like a place where you can be honest, understood, and supported without judgment. Life can become overwhelming, whether you’re navigating relationship challenges, stress, major life changes, anxiety, depression, or simply feeling stuck and unsure of what comes next. My approach is warm, compassionate, and practical. I work collaboratively with each client to understand what is happening beneath the surface while developing realistic tools and strategies that can create meaningful change. I don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach to therapy. Your experiences, goals, and strengths are unique, and our work together should reflect that. I work with teens, adults, and couples who may be struggling with emotional challenges, relationship concerns, communication, self-esteem, life transitions, family conflict, stress, or other challenges that are making it difficult to feel like themselves. For couples, I provide a supportive space to improve communication, understand patterns within the relationship, and work toward a healthier connection. As a therapist, I strive to create an environment where you feel comfortable being yourself—even when things feel messy or difficult. My goal isn’t simply to help you get through a challenging moment, but to help you better understand yourself, build confidence in your ability to cope, and develop skills that continue to serve you beyond therapy. Reaching out for therapy can feel like a big step. You don’t have to have everything figured out before you begin. If you’re ready to make a change, I’m here to help you take that first step.
Starting therapy can feel intimidating, but you don’t need to know exactly what to say or have everything figured out. Our first session is a chance for us to get to know each other and understand what brought you to therapy. We’ll talk about what you’ve been experiencing, what feels most challenging right now, and what you hope to gain from therapy. We may also discuss your relationships, family, work or school, past experiences, and coping strategies. We’ll work together to identify your goals and determine where to begin. My approach is collaborative, compassionate, and practical. I’m not here to judge or tell you how you need to handle your life. I’ll work alongside you to understand your experiences, recognize patterns, build on your strengths, and develop tools that fit your life. You’re welcome to ask questions about therapy and share any concerns about the process. Most importantly, you can come exactly as you are. If you’re not sure where to start, that’s okay—we’ll figure it out together. My goal is for you to leave your first session feeling heard, supported, and with a clearer sense of our path forward.
I bring warmth, empathy, and a genuine desire to understand the person behind the problem. I create a space where you can be honest, feel heard, and talk openly without fear of judgment. My approach is collaborative and practical. I believe therapy should be more than simply talking about what’s wrong—it should help you understand yourself, recognize patterns, build confidence, and develop tools you can actually use in your everyday life. I also recognize that progress doesn’t always happen in a straight line. I meet you where you are, respect your pace, and adjust our work as your needs change. Whether you’re working through a life transition, relationship concerns, emotional challenges, or simply feeling stuck, we’ll focus on what matters most to you. Above all, I want you to feel like we’re working **together**. My goal is to help you feel more confident, capable, and equipped to create meaningful change in your life.
You may be feeling overwhelmed, stuck, stressed, or simply know that something in your life isn’t working the way you want it to. Maybe you’re navigating a major life change, struggling in a relationship, or trying to better understand yourself and your emotions. I work with teens, adults, and couples who are ready to make changes and want support along the way. You don’t need to have everything figured out or know exactly what you need from therapy. You just need to be willing to take that first step. Together, we’ll focus on what matters most to you, explore patterns that may be getting in your way, and develop practical tools to help you feel more confident, connected, and capable of moving forward.
I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients understand the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Together, we identify patterns that may be contributing to stress or emotional challenges and explore healthier, more balanced ways of thinking and responding. I incorporate practical CBT strategies that clients can use between sessions, such as identifying unhelpful thought patterns, challenging negative thinking, developing coping skills, and practicing new behaviors. My goal is to make therapy useful beyond the session by helping you develop tools you can apply in everyday life.
Change can be difficult, especially when part of you wants to move forward while another part feels unsure. Through Motivational Interviewing, I help you explore what you want to change, what may be holding you back, and what matters most to you. Rather than telling you what you should do, we’ll work together to uncover your own reasons for change and build on the strengths you already have. We’ll identify realistic steps that feel achievable and meaningful, helping you build confidence and motivation as you move forward.
You already have strengths, skills, and experiences that can help you navigate difficult situations. A strength-based approach focuses on identifying those qualities and building on them rather than focusing only on what feels difficult. In our sessions, I’ll help you recognize your strengths, build confidence, and identify resources you may already have but aren’t fully utilizing. Together, we’ll use those strengths to work through challenges, create meaningful goals, and support lasting change.
Being present and learning to slow down can make it easier to understand what you’re feeling and respond rather than react. I incorporate mindfulness-based strategies to help you become more aware of your thoughts, emotions, and physical responses without judgment. Together, we may practice grounding, mindful breathing, and other techniques that can help reduce stress, improve emotional regulation, and increase your ability to stay present during difficult moments. The goal is to develop practical skills you can use in everyday life to feel more balanced and in control.