(she/her)
In Florida alone, over 400,000 children and adolescents experience a mental health challenge—yet only half ever receive the support they need. As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and National Certified Counselor with over a decade of experience, I believe it’s time to change that narrative—starting with prevention. My name is Jessica Lumpkin. I specialize in providing evidence-based and preventative mental health services to children, adolescents, and families. It is my mission to make mental wellness accessible, stigma-free, and empowering—especially for young people. The bravest thing a child can be is themselves. My focus is always on helping them move toward more excellent health and wholeness in a safe, nonjudgmental environment.
Thank you for beginning this journey. No matter what the response has been from your immediate friends, families, or inner self, I believe you are making a good decision. Counseling is an inviting place where every part of you is welcome, even the parts that are uncomfortable to share. As a counselor, I am honored that you chose this process as your vehicle to healing. If this is your first time in therapy, welcome. Welcome back to those who have been to therapy before and are starting again. My guess is that getting started can be pretty scary to talk to someone you do not know about things that make you uncomfortable, sad, angry, overjoyed, or embarrassed, but I would like to reassure you that this process is here to help you grow. I may be an expert, but you are your child's expert. Your input and involvement are invaluable! Ask questions—share experiences. Support and reinforce new skills learned in sessions at home. Make suggestions. Bloom. Shine Grow. We are all imperfectly perfect.
Early support is key. At Imperfectly Perfect Counseling Services, I provide short-term, solution-focused therapy, evidence-based interventions, preventative mental health services, consultations, and psychoeducation to support emotional intelligence in youth, families, schools, and communities. Bloom. Shine. Grow. We are all Imperfectly Perfect.
Counseling is an inviting place where every part of you is welcome, even the parts that are uncomfortable to share. Building a trusting therapeutic relationship takes time, but like all relationships, trust is an essential part of the foundation. Counseling is a safe, judgment-free space that is challenging but comforting for growth. All children are unique. All children respond differently to stressors and changes. Jessica believes that resiliency skills can be learned through building self-awareness. Blending cognitive behavioral therapy techniques, talk therapy, play, and creative arts allows Jessica to explore and understand a child's cognition, emotions, and behaviors to strengthen awareness and emotional intelligence in a way they can understand. As one of my clients once said, “Ms. Jessica, life be lifeing.” And it’s true—life happens. But with the right tools and support, young people can learn how to manage it. That’s why I focus on equipping children, teens, and parents with the coping skills they need for when “life life.” 50% of lifetime mental health challenges often show up by age 14.
Other specialties
I identify as
Child Parent Psychotherapy
Asking for help is not a sign of weakness and doesn't make you a bad parent. Admitting that help is needed and don't have all the answers is a positive step. Seeking counseling services and saying, "I need help." is the first of many steps towards victory. However, counseling is not the easy way out. Child/Adolescent Counseling works best when parents and the counselor work together. Parent involvement is essential to support, guide, and reinforce new skills learned in the counseling process. Engagement in counseling can also help parents become aware of past experiences and upbringing that strongly influence their parenting style and preconceptions of "good or bad." The therapist may be the expert, but you are your child's expert. Your input and involvement are invaluable!
Interpersonal
Many young people struggle to navigate their feelings while facing the unique challenges of adolescence. Adolescent counseling tailors to those unique struggles with stress, peer pressure, low self-esteem, identity insecurities, feeling overwhelmed about their future, dating drama, mood instability, feelings of sadness, etc. Many children and adolescents suffer in silence because they lack a safe, non-judgmental space to share themselves. Feeling connected and supported are essential ingredients for being understood. Unfortunately, some children and adolescents don't have the vocabulary or skills to communicate their thoughts and feelings. Their behavior, even when it is, at times, physical, inappropriate, or disruptive, is communication. Behaviors are never random. All behaviors are goal-oriented or purposeful, even when you cannot see the purpose. Child and adolescent counseling helps your child understand and manage their emotions to increase their self-awareness. Self-awareness is knowing how your strengths, weaknesses, character, and personality affect your choices (behaviors). Being self-aware is knowing who you are and how you differ from others around you. Children and adolescents with self-awareness have strong empathy, critical thinking, effective communication, emotional management, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills.