Jessica Baker
My style as a therapist is warm, engaged, and collaborative. I'm present and actively involved in our conversations, offering thoughtful feedback, different perspectives, and support along the way. I believe there's value in being able to respond authentically, recognize the lighter moments when they arise, and acknowledge the emotions that are part of working through life's challenges. I want you to feel comfortable speaking openly, being yourself, and exploring difficult or complicated feelings without fear of judgment. I work with adults navigating anxiety, relationship difficulties, people-pleasing, boundaries, self-esteem, and major life transitions. I'm interested in helping people understand why certain patterns develop and why they can be so difficult to change, even when we know something isn't working. Our work might involve looking at relationships, challenging the expectations you put on yourself, or figuring out how to make choices that feel more consistent with who you are and what matters to you.
I help clients explore new perspectives and better understand themselves through thoughtful, collaborative conversations that support meaningful change.
First session
I want you to leave our first session feeling heard, a little more at ease, and with a better sense of what working together might look like. We'll talk about what's bringing you to therapy, what you've been experiencing, and what you'd like to get out of our time together. I'll ask questions, offer perspective, and make space for you to share at your own pace. You don't need to know exactly where to start or have everything neatly figured out. My hope is that you'll leave feeling comfortable being yourself, with a clearer sense of what you'd like to work on and the feeling that we're beginning to make sense of it together.
Strengths
I bring warmth, curiosity, and a practical perspective to our sessions. I want therapy to feel like a conversation, not a lecture. I'll offer observations, ask questions, and help you look at things from different angles, while respecting that you're the expert on your own life. I also believe humor has a place in therapy. Life can feel heavy, and while we'll take our work seriously, we don't have to take ourselves seriously all the time. There's room to laugh, recognize the absurdity of certain situations, and find moments of relief even when we're working through difficult things. I want you to feel comfortable showing up as yourself, knowing that you can talk about the hard stuff without every session feeling heavy. My goal is to create a space where you feel understood and supported while also leaving with useful insights and practical steps you can apply to your everyday life.
Ideal clients
I work with adults experiencing anxiety, relationship challenges, people-pleasing, and major life transitions. Many are used to putting others first, struggle with boundaries, or recognize patterns in their relationships that they want to change. Some are navigating changes in their careers, relationships, or sense of identity and trying to figure out what they want for themselves moving forward. I work well with people who are open to self-reflection and want to take an active role in therapy. They may appreciate having someone who listens, asks thoughtful questions, offers a different perspective, and helps them turn insight into meaningful change. I value a collaborative approach that makes room for honest conversations, curiosity, and practical steps toward growth.
Treatment methods
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
I use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help clients change their relationship with difficult thoughts and feelings rather than feeling like they have to fight them, avoid them, or get rid of them before moving forward. We explore what matters most to you, how your thoughts and emotions may be influencing your choices, and how you can make room for uncomfortable feelings without letting them run the show. This can be especially helpful for people who struggle with anxiety, overthinking, or people-pleasing. The goal is to help you feel less controlled by difficult thoughts and feelings and more able to make choices that reflect the life you want to live.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients understand how their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors influence one another. Sometimes, the way we interpret a situation can increase anxiety, reinforce self-doubt, or keep us stuck in patterns that aren't serving us. Together, we'll look at these patterns, explore whether your thoughts reflect the whole picture, and practice different ways of responding. This can be especially helpful for people who struggle with anxiety, overthinking, or being overly critical of themselves. The goal is to help you develop more balanced ways of thinking and find practical ways to approach everyday challenges.
Motivational Interviewing
I use Motivational Interviewing to help clients explore their feelings about change and figure out what they want for themselves. Sometimes part of us wants things to be different, while another part feels hesitant, uncertain, or not quite ready. Rather than telling you what you should do, we'll explore what's important to you, what's getting in the way, and what might help you move forward. This approach can be especially helpful for people who are considering changes in their substance use or other habits that no longer feel helpful. My goal is to help you gain clarity, build confidence in your ability to make changes, and find a path forward that feels right for you.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
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Serves
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Licensed in
- MissouriLicense 2011014386