Licensed to practice in 5 states and accepts 14 insurances. Specializes in Depression, Grief, Trauma and PTSD and 3 more.
(she/her)
New to Grow
Are you feeling overwhelmed by grief, struggling with anxiety, adjusting to a major life transition, or carrying the weight of past experiences? Perhaps you're navigating pregnancy, postpartum challenges, relationship difficulties, or simply feeling stuck and unsure of your next steps. You don't have to face these challenges alone. I'm Andrea Jackson, LICSW, LCSW, PMH-C, founder of Cardinal Hope and Healing LLC. I provide therapy for adults experiencing grief and loss, trauma, anxiety, depression, perinatal mental health concerns, relationship challenges, and life transitions. My approach is warm, collaborative, and grounded in evidence-based practices, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and strengths-based interventions. Together, we'll work to better understand your experiences, identify patterns that may be keeping you stuck, and develop practical tools to help you move forward. As a Black woman therapist and first-generation college graduate, I understand how personal, family, cultural, and societal experiences can influence our mental health and overall well-being. I strive to create a supportive, nonjudgmental space where clients feel heard, respected, and empowered. Whether you're seeking support through a difficult season of life or hoping to create lasting change, therapy can be a place to build resilience, strengthen coping skills, and reconnect with what matters most to you.
Starting therapy can feel exciting, uncomfortable, hopeful, or even a little intimidating. During our first session, my goal is to create a welcoming environment where you can begin sharing your story at a pace that feels comfortable for you. Our first session is primarily focused on getting to know you and understanding what has brought you to therapy. We will discuss your current concerns, relevant personal history, relationships, support systems, and any challenges that may be affecting your emotional well-being. I may also ask questions about your mental health history, coping strategies, strengths, and goals for treatment. You do not need to have everything figured out before our first meeting. Many clients come to therapy knowing something feels difficult or overwhelming but aren't entirely sure where to begin. Together, we can explore what is contributing to your distress and identify areas where support may be most helpful. In addition to learning about your experiences, I will explain my therapeutic approach and answer any questions you may have about the therapy process. We will begin discussing your goals and what you hope to gain from our work together. Some clients seek relief from symptoms such as anxiety, depression, or grief, while others want to improve relationships, navigate life transitions, process past experiences, or develop healthier coping skills. By the end of our first session, you can expect to have a clearer understanding of how we may work together and what the next steps in treatment could look like. My goal is for you to leave feeling heard, supported, and hopeful about the possibility of change and growth. There is no pressure to share everything during our first meeting. Building trust takes time, and therapy is a process that unfolds at a pace that feels safe and meaningful for you.
One of my greatest strengths as a therapist is my ability to balance compassion with practical, evidence-based strategies. I believe therapy should be a place where clients feel genuinely supported while also gaining tools they can use in their daily lives. I have experience working with individuals facing a wide range of concerns, including grief and loss, trauma, anxiety, depression, perinatal mental health challenges, crisis situations, and major life transitions. My background in hospital-based behavioral health and crisis intervention has strengthened my ability to support clients through both immediate challenges and long-term healing. My approach is collaborative rather than prescriptive. I view clients as the experts on their own lives and work alongside them to better understand their experiences, identify patterns, and build on existing strengths. I strive to create a nonjudgmental environment where clients can explore difficult emotions, gain insight, and develop meaningful change. I integrate evidence-based approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and strengths-based interventions. This allows me to tailor treatment to each client's unique needs rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach. Clients often appreciate my warm, approachable style and my ability to help them feel comfortable discussing topics that may be difficult, painful, or overwhelming. I recognize that healing is not always linear, and I strive to meet clients where they are while helping them move toward their goals. Whether we are working through grief, adjusting to a new stage of life, managing anxiety, processing trauma, or navigating the transition into parenthood, my goal is to help you build self-awareness, strengthen coping skills, and create lasting change that aligns with your values and priorities.
You may be a good fit for my practice if you're feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or emotionally exhausted and are looking for support in navigating life's challenges. Many of the clients I work with are experiencing grief and loss, anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship concerns, major life transitions, or the emotional adjustments that can come with pregnancy and parenthood. You may be someone who spends a great deal of time caring for others while struggling to prioritize your own needs. Perhaps you're trying to manage work, family responsibilities, relationships, or caregiving demands while feeling disconnected from yourself. You may know that something needs to change but aren't quite sure where to start. I am especially passionate about supporting women, including women of color, first-generation professionals, and individuals navigating perinatal mental health concerns. At the same time, I welcome adults from all backgrounds and identities who are seeking a supportive space for healing and growth. You do not need to have everything figured out before starting therapy. Whether you're facing a specific challenge or simply want to better understand yourself, therapy can provide an opportunity to slow down, reflect, and move forward with greater clarity and confidence. Together, we'll work to build on your strengths, develop practical coping strategies, increase self-awareness, and create meaningful changes that align with your values and goals. My goal is to help you feel more equipped to navigate life's challenges while building a life that feels more balanced, fulfilling, and authentic to who you are.
Other specialties
I identify as
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people learn how to cope with difficult thoughts and emotions without becoming overwhelmed by them. Rather than focusing on getting rid of distress, ACT teaches skills for making room for life's challenges while staying connected to your values and what matters most. I frequently incorporate ACT into my work with clients experiencing grief, trauma, anxiety, life transitions, and perinatal mental health concerns. My additional training in ACT for trauma and grief allows me to help clients develop flexibility, resilience, and self-compassion as they navigate difficult experiences.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) helps people build practical skills for managing difficult emotions, coping with stress, improving relationships, and navigating life's challenges more effectively. DBT focuses on balancing acceptance and change—learning to accept yourself and your experiences while working toward meaningful growth. My experience with DBT began in crisis intervention work with adolescents and has continued through my work supporting adults and perinatal clients. I frequently incorporate DBT-informed skills such as mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness to help clients feel more confident and equipped to handle difficult situations.
Strength-Based
Strengths-Based Therapy focuses on helping individuals recognize and build upon their existing strengths, resilience, and resources. Rather than viewing clients through the lens of problems or limitations, this approach emphasizes the skills, values, and experiences that can support growth and healing. During difficult periods, it can be easy to lose sight of the qualities and resources that have helped you overcome challenges in the past. I use a strengths-based approach throughout my work to help clients reconnect with those strengths while developing new tools to navigate life's challenges. Together, we focus on fostering self-confidence, resilience, and a greater sense of empowerment so that you can move forward with clarity, purpose, and trust in your ability to create meaningful change.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based approach that helps individuals understand the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. CBT is based on the idea that the way we interpret situations can influence how we feel and respond, and that by identifying unhelpful patterns, we can develop healthier ways of thinking and coping. I incorporate CBT into my work with clients experiencing anxiety, depression, stress, grief, life transitions, and perinatal mental health concerns. Together, we explore patterns that may be contributing to emotional distress, such as self-criticism, worry, avoidance, or negative beliefs about oneself. Through increased awareness and practical skill-building, clients learn new ways to respond to challenges, manage difficult emotions, and create meaningful changes in their daily lives. My approach to CBT is collaborative, compassionate, and tailored to each client's unique experiences. Rather than focusing on "positive thinking," CBT helps clients develop more balanced perspectives, strengthen coping skills, and build confidence in their ability to navigate life's challenges.