LCSW, 5 years of experience
New to Grow
Hello, I'm Yessica Lawson, a dedicated BIPOC Mental Health Therapist. With profound respect for diverse backgrounds, I provide a safe space for healing and growth. Specializing in culturally sensitive approaches, I am committed to fostering resilience and empowering individuals to navigate their unique mental health journey. Let's embark on this path together, embracing the strength within our shared narratives. Whether you are struggling with life changes, depression or mood disorders, grief, or relationship issues I am here to help.
In our first session together, you can expect a supportive and nonjudgmental space where we begin by getting to know you and your story. I will gather information about your background, current concerns, and what you hope to gain from therapy. This session is also an opportunity for you to ask questions, share what feels most important, and let me know what you need to feel comfortable. Together, we will begin to identify your goals and outline a plan for how we can work collaboratively toward them. My priority is to ensure you feel safe, heard, and respected as we lay the foundation for our work together.
As a therapist, my strengths lie in creating a safe, supportive space where clients feel heard and understood. I bring cultural sensitivity, evidence-based practices, and a task-oriented approach that empowers clients to take an active role in their growth. My ability to blend compassion with structure helps clients build skills, gain insight, and move toward meaningful, lasting change.
My ideal clients are individuals who are ready to explore their challenges and open themselves to the process of growth, whether they are completely new to therapy or have more complex needs. I am best positioned to serve those navigating concerns such as anxiety, depression, trauma, addiction, relationship difficulties, and life transitions. I value working with clients who are motivated to better understand themselves, shift unhelpful patterns, and build skills that promote long-term resilience. As a therapist, I believe in using task-oriented reflections and collaborative goal-setting to ensure that clients remain active participants in their care. My approach emphasizes empowerment, self-awareness, and accountability, helping clients move forward with clarity and purpose while honoring their unique stories and strengths.
I have extensive experience utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in my clinical practice as a mental health provider. Through my work with diverse populations, including individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, and substance use disorders, I have consistently applied CBT interventions to help clients identify and reframe negative thought patterns, build healthier coping strategies, and develop practical problem-solving skills. My approach emphasizes collaboration, psychoeducation, and skill-building to empower clients to take an active role in their treatment and long-term recovery. Over the years, I have seen firsthand how CBT’s structured, evidence-based methods can promote meaningful behavioral change and improve emotional well-being, making it a cornerstone of my therapeutic work.
I have significant experience incorporating Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) into my clinical work, particularly with university students and individuals struggling with addiction. ACT has been an effective framework in helping clients develop psychological flexibility, clarify their personal values, and take committed steps toward meaningful change, even in the presence of difficult thoughts and emotions. With university students, I have used ACT to address stress, identity development, and academic pressures, guiding them in mindfulness-based strategies to reduce avoidance and foster resilience. In addiction treatment, I have applied ACT to help clients recognize the role of avoidance in maintaining substance use, while building healthier coping skills rooted in acceptance and values-based living. My experience demonstrates the versatility of ACT as a therapeutic approach that empowers clients to create lasting change while honoring their unique challenges and life goals.
As a minority therapist, I bring both professional training and personal understanding to my practice of culturally sensitive therapy. I recognize the profound impact that culture, identity, and lived experience have on mental health, and I strive to create a therapeutic environment where clients feel seen, respected, and understood. I remain committed to ongoing growth in cultural competence by staying current with research, engaging in continued education, and reflecting on my own experiences and biases. My personal background provides me with a deeper appreciation of the challenges faced by marginalized communities, and I integrate this awareness into client-centered, culturally informed care.
I have experience utilizing Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy to support individuals struggling with trauma. Through EMDR, I help clients process distressing memories and reduce the emotional intensity tied to past experiences, allowing them to move forward with greater resilience and stability. I value EMDR as a powerful, evidence-based approach that addresses the root causes of trauma rather than only the symptoms. In my practice, I integrate EMDR within a supportive, client-centered framework, ensuring that individuals feel safe and empowered throughout the process. I have witnessed how EMDR can facilitate profound healing, helping clients reclaim their sense of safety, self-worth, and ability to thrive.
I have experience incorporating Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) into my clinical work with individuals struggling with emotional regulation, trauma, and substance use. DBT’s structured focus on mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness has allowed me to equip clients with practical tools to navigate intense emotions and build healthier relationships. In my practice, I use DBT both individually and in group settings to provide skills training that promotes stability, resilience, and long-term recovery. I value DBT’s balance of acceptance and change strategies, which empowers clients to honor their lived experiences while actively working toward positive growth.