Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Santana
Hi Jessica, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I think people who seek out counseling as a career want to help other people because they have had role models or mentors in their life who have helped them. Or maybe people are drawn to the mental health field because they struggle with their own mental health. Or maybe some people are born innately empathetic, understanding, and are just naturally good listeners. For me, it’s a combination of all those things. Throughout my childhood and teenage years, I was fortunate enough to be surrounded by people who inspired me and who showed me how support and encouragement can have a lasting effect on someone’s life. I wanted to be that for other people, and I quickly became “that friend” people would turn to and could rely on. The power of being able to hold space for people is incredible and I only got a glimpse of this at a teenager.
I wanted to find a career that I was naturally good at, that I enjoyed doing, and one in which I knew I would be successful. With that goal in mind, I moved out of my hometown of El Paso, Texas and started my first semester in college as a psychology major at the University of North Texas. Little did I know this would be that start of a passion that has grown enormously throughout my years as a student. The skills I learned and continue to perfect to this day, feel completely aligned with who I am as a person and as a professional. After about 10 years of working in the mental health industry at inpatient hospitals, residential treatment facilities and outpatient clinics, I now work in private practice at JLD Counseling.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Just shy of three weeks into my graduate school program my father passed away. I was faced with the overwhelming challenge of balancing my academic responsibilities, grieving my father’s death, selling my childhood home, and all during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. I persevered, completing every assignment on time, managing my dad’s estate and remaining focused on my future. My dad was a huge supporter of my aspirations, and I knew he wouldn’t want me to give up on my goal of becoming a therapist. I pushed through, started seeing a therapist of my own and graduated on time, with honors with my Masters in Counseling and Development from Texas Women’s University. I can now proudly say I am a fully licensed professional counselor who specializes in grief work, adolescent development and relationship dynamics.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about JLD Counseling?
The practice I work for offers services including Individual, Marriage and Family, Group and Substance Use counseling. At JLD, our unique strategy is different than the rest due to our personalized, client-centered approach and dedication to peoples journey of recovery. We are most proud of our teams holistic approach of integrating therapeutic techniques from our broad experience. Our clinicians have diverse skillset and each have a unique style to address the variety of emotional, mental and physical aspects of a clients well-being. While working together to tackle issues we consult collaboratively about our clients and how to offer the best care. We offer different groups weekly and bi-weekly for niche communities such as LGBTQ+, Grief, and Therapeutic Role- Play. I post content on social media @the_savvy_shrink where I share information and therapeutic humor.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
As a therapist, I view risk-taking as an essential component of personal growth and healing. Taking risks, whether in the context of therapy or everyday life, often involves stepping outside your comfort zone and confronting fears. From my perspective, the willingness to take risks signifies a readiness to embrace change and challenge old patterns. I took a huge risk when at 18 years old decided to uproot my life and leap into the unknown by moving 700 miles into the big city where I knew no one. I believe that calculated risks can lead to significant breakthroughs, building resilience and self-discovery. Its important to approach risks by balancing courage and self-awareness. For me, risk taking is not about reckless behavior but about making informed decisions that push boundaries and lead to a more fulfilling and authentic life. I trusted the process and proved to myself that I can adapt to challenges, stay committed to long-term goals and that I am a risk taker.
Pricing:
- $90- Individual Session
- $130- Intake Session
- $50- Group Session
- $150- Family and Couples Session
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jldcounseling.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_savvy_shrink/
Image Credits
Lexi Henry for grad photos
