LCSW, 8 years of experience
My name is Jessica and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has a background working with a wide range of populations, including the military/veteran, seniors and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, Persons of Color) populations looking to break generational cycles. As a person of color and a retired Army veteran with multiple deployments, I understand how the challenging complex traumas, life stressors/transitions, obstacles and relationship stressors can be. Therapy is like a relationship and I am deeply committed to providing a safe and welcoming space to a wide range of diverse communities for a wide range of concerns.
During the first session I will ask about what brings you into therapy and your goals for therapy. I also like to ask a lot of background questions with the goal of getting to know you better and tailoring each person's individual experience. I find that knowing a person's history I am able to better help my clients identify those stuck points that keep folks from meeting their full potential.
Some of my strengths are that I am easy to talk to and nonjudgemental which is super important when developing any therapeutic relationship. I am also very resourceful with a huge library of resources and can often provide additional readings at no additional cost.
When it comes to therapy, there is not a one size all fits approach. You are the subject matter expert on your life and I would love to collaborate and support you on your therapy journey. I provide culturally responsive therapy to individuals and couples using a strengths-based approach. I am best positioned to serve those that are serious about working on themselves and needs the additional support and listening ear. I also have a background in working with individuals who are new to therapy.
Jessica Dennis offers therapy covered by CalViva Health (Medi-Cal), Community Health Plan of Imperial Valley (Medi-Cal), Gold Coast Health Plan (Medi-Cal), Health Net (Medi-Cal), Health Plan of San Joaquin - Medi-Cal, L.A. Care Health Plan (Medi-Cal), Partnership HealthPlan of California (Medi-Cal), San Francisco Health Plan (Medi-Cal) and Santa Clara Family Health Plan - Medi-Cal in California.
You are the subject matter expert on your life and in collaborating and supporting you on your journey I would love to help you discover and develop the strengths you already have. In seeing your own value, it helps, it allows you to focus on your goals and capitalize on your strengths to help you get to the next level.
I enjoy using a conversation centered approach so I will ask a lot of questions to get to know you better and learn more about your background and belief systems. Using a culturally sensitive approach is important because understanding who you are as a person would better help us to use cultural strengths to increase positive outcomes.
I’ll use CBT with you to help you become more aware of how negative thought patterns and feelings influence your overall mood and influence your behaviors.
DBT is something I find helpful for addressing intense emotions and changing behavioral patterns for a wide range of conditions including substance use, depression and PTSD.