Rated 5.0 stars out of 5, 26 ratings

Jessica Avila

LICSW, 18 years of experience

Empowering
Authentic
Direct

About me

Hi, I’m Jessica, a Boston-made, culturally conscious therapist who holds sacred space for emotionally over extended high-functioning women of color who carry so much on the outside while feeling quietly unraveled within. You’ve been the one others lean on for as long as you can remember. The capable one. The fixer. The strong friend. Maybe even the one who had to grow up too soon, caring for siblings, managing household responsibilities, or emotionally parenting your parents before you ever got the chance to care for yourself. 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. 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 appear steady and capable but feel quietly exhausted, emotionally disconnected, or unseen inside. Many are high-achieving professionals, caregivers, or the “strong friend”, the one holding space for everyone else while silently wondering, “But who holds space for me?” I support Black and Brown women navigating cultural expectations, systemic pressures, and intergenerational patterns. Many grew up as the responsible one, problem-solver, or emotional anchor, only to find those same patterns repeating in careers, friendships, and relationships. You might not be in crisis, but you know this way of living is costing you your peace. Together, we’ll honor what you’ve carried while guiding you toward a life that feels softer, more spacious, and deeply aligned with who you truly are.

Specialties

Top specialties

AnxietySelf Esteem

Other specialties

I identify as

Black / African American

Serves ages

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.

Location

Virtual
Rated 5.0 stars out of 5, 26 ratings
This provider hasn’t received any written reviews yet. We started collecting written reviews January 1, 2025.