Hello, my name is Jillian, a Licensed Counselor in Pennsylvania. I'm so grateful you found your way here. I sincerely honor the courage it takes to seek support, and meet each person where they are with dignity, compassion, and non-judgement. Seriously, it takes a lot of courage to take this step. I am passionate about working with women at different stages of life who identify as successful in many areas, yet feel insecure about how they 'measure up' against the societal expectations of "womanhood". Does this feel like you: you are independent, smart, successful, creative, loving, nurturing, and passionate about helping any community you're apart of; yet you still feel something is missing because you are not partnered, married, or have children? Do you struggle with the decision to be partnered, married, or to have children and find yourself alienated from friends, family, and specific communities because of this? Do you live within a family system or religious community that has rigid conceptualizations of what womanhood is and have been subjected to unsolicited advice and/or criticism about what a "real woman is". I offer a safe space where women who have these experiences and in response are struggling with insecurities, self esteem, body image, or depression and anxiety can explore the expansiveness of womanhood in all its manifestations and be empowered to make decisions that align with how they desire to embody their identity and life experiences.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
After an initial meeting, I want you to feel empowered to make the honest decision to continue working together if it feels right for you, and to not if it doesn't. The freedom to choose is the first step towards reclaiming one's self. My intention is for you to feel seen and heard for exactly who you are and the experiences you have been through. I am passionate about reflecting compassion and holding a safe space where clients can explore whatever they need with non-judgment and experience feeling truly validated.
What treatment methods and tools do you utilize?
While talking and verbal processing is a part of most every session, what is is unique about my practice is that I am a creative art therapist, specializing in dance/movement therapy. This training allows me to offer clients a holistic perspective of the complex dimensions of the whole person, including the connection between mind, body, and spirit. I mostly work from a somatic framework, which means I recognize the how one's emotional and physical experiences are interconnected. I also integrate many creative interventions such as music, creative movement, yoga, and writing as alternative forms of expression in addition to verbal processing.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
As a dance/movement therapist my strength is helping clients identify and experience the connection between physical and emotional/mental states. Movement offers invaluable information and can provide an outlet for expression when words may not be enough. When working with woman who are struggling to connect to their authentic power and identity, body awareness and movement offer powerful catalysts to feel more connected to one's life force and vitality in a way that may not have ever been experienced. For some, this might include uninhibited expressive movement and for others it may simply be learning how to take a fuller breath to feel safe and grounded. All movement can be profound and every individual's relationship to movement and to their body is unique and deserves validation.
Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.
Woman (any person who identifies as woman, including cis-gender, trans, and non-binary folks) from young adult to geriatric struggling with self esteem, insecurities, depression, anxiety, identity crises, spiritual crises, have done some trauma work if relevant