Jessica Van der Merwe


Portland, Oregon 97213 United States

About

Growing up in a dysfunctional family, being in a toxic or abusive relationship, or experiencing the horrors of a traumatic event can set you on a collision course with daily triggers to anger, sadness, overwhelm, panic, or dissociation. Maybe you notice your reactions in your relationships are causing harm, and you regularly experience the dreaded “shame spiral.” You minimize your pain, or others regularly do. If this is you, I’m glad you’re here. Long-term healing is possible. Even if only a small part of you hopes for change, I'm confident it's enough to start the journey toward a peaceful and thriving life.

I use humor, creativity and authentic presence as a therapist. I come from a trauma-informed strengths-based approach to trauma processing with Brainspotting therapy, and "parts" approaches. This approach is based on the science and wisdom of the body, while using a compassion-focused framework to reduce shame, excessive guilt, and trauma-related responses.

Emotional work is often the hardest work we will ever do. It doesn't come without having the courage and readiness to face your challenges. Existing with low confidence or feeling “stuck” can be transformed into a peaceful and thriving life. Call or email me today to connect for a free 15 min consultation, or read more about what I offer on my website.

Features

Qualifications: Western Seminary
Academic Suffixes: MA, LMHC, LPC
Expertise: ADHD, Anxiety, Bipolar Disorder, Body Positivity, Borderline Personality, Cancer, Codependency, Coping Skills, Depression, Dissociative Disorders, Emotional Disturbance, Family Conflict, Grief, Life Transitions, Marital and Premarital, Parenting, Relationship Issues, Self Esteem, Self-Harming, Sexual Abuse, Spirituality, Stress, Suicidal Ideation, Trauma and PTSD, Women

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