Jessica Avila, LICSW - Therapist at Grow Therapy

Jessica Avila

Jessica Avila

(she/her)

LICSW
18 years of experience
Virtual

Hi, I’m Jessica, a Boston-made, culturally conscious therapist who holds sacred space for high-functioning women of color who carry so much on the outside while feeling quietly unraveled within. You’re the one others lean on. The capable one. The fixer. The strong friend. But holding it all comes at a cost: burnout you minimize, anxiety you downplay, parts of yourself you silence just to keep going. Maybe you’re managing leadership, caregiving, cultural expectations, or finding yourself stuck in the same painful relationship patterns, wondering, “But what about me?” I know that story, because I’ve lived it, too. You deserve a space where you don’t have to perform strength. A space to lay it all down, be seen fully, and rebuild from a place of truth, rest, and self-defined wellness. My work is rooted in heart, justice, and cultural humility. I work especially with Black and Brown women navigating generational patterns, emotional regulation, boundaries, and the complexities of relationships that don’t always meet us where we are. Together, we’ll nurture the parts of you ready to be heard, honored, and supported. You don’t have to hold it all alone. Let’s begin, on your terms.

Get to know me

In our first session together, here's what you can expect

Our first session is an invitation to exhale. We'll talk about what brings you here, what you’ve been carrying, and what you hope to shift or grow. I’ll listen deeply, not just to your words, but to what your heart is trying to say. We’ll explore your goals, your story, and begin to map out a plan that honors your pace and your truth. There’s no pressure to have it all figured out. This is a space where you don’t have to perform strength. You get to be real, human, and held.

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

Clients often say I’m the therapist who will lovingly hold them accountable while rooting deeply for their wholeness. I bring cultural humility, lived experience, and a commitment to making sure you feel safe, seen, and respected, without judgment. I know what it’s like to carry multiple roles and identities, to give endlessly and lose sight of yourself in the process. My strength lies in blending soulful compassion with practical tools, helping you break old patterns, soften perfectionism’s grip, and trust yourself enough to rest, receive, and thrive.

The clients I'm best positioned to serve

I work best with women, especially Women of Color, who seem steady and capable to everyone around them but feel quietly exhausted, emotionally disconnected, or unseen inside. Many of my clients are high-achieving professionals, caregivers, or “the strong friend” who holds space for everyone else while silently wondering, “But who holds space for me?” I have a deep passion for supporting Black and Brown women navigating the layered weight of cultural expectations, systemic pressures, and intergenerational patterns, often alongside perfectionism, people-pleasing, or the quiet ache of being everything for everyone. You might not be in crisis, but you know this way of living is costing you your peace. You’re ready to pause, tend to what’s been neglected, and do the deeper work of reclaiming your truth, rest, and emotional wholeness. Together, we’ll honor what you’ve carried while gently supporting your shift toward a life that feels softer, more spacious, and deeply aligned with who you truly are.

About Jessica Avila

Appointments

Virtual

My treatment methods

Integrative

I use an integrative, trauma-informed, and culturally attuned approach grounded in the real lives of my clients. My work blends: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to challenge unhelpful thought patterns Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for values-based action and emotional flexibility Internal Family Systems (IFS)-informed dialogue to explore and care for your inner parts Interpersonal and narrative work to untangle generational and cultural messages that no longer serve you Mindfulness and somatic awareness to help you reconnect with your body, release stress, and regulate overwhelm My goal is always to help you move from survival mode and perfectionism to a place of self-trust, rest, and authentic alignment.