Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Riggs.
Hi Jessica, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Since I was young, I’ve had a strong desire to help others who are suffering. I would befriend the elderly women at my church and was sought out by peers who needed a listening ear. I was always intrigued by the counseling profession and thought it would be a dream job for me. I took counseling classes in college but my intuition told me I was not yet mature enough to care for others in that way, so I took the scenic route to my chosen career, dabbling in education and social work.
While working at a large nonprofit in Fort Worth, I was invited to work alongside licensed counselors providing solution focused brief therapy to children and families who could not afford to pay for services. During my time in that role, I fell in love with helping families and with the therapeutic process. I went back to school to pursue my masters degree in counseling, followed by 3,000 practical clinical hours in order to obtain my LPC license. After working in a variety of settings, including nonprofit, school, and group practices, I realized that I had outgrown these settings and was ready to launch my business. In June of 2024 I opened the doors of Compassion First Counseling.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. I took many jobs out of college that were not a good fit, floundered a bit as I tried to discover my career path, and experienced traumatic grief in 2016 that sent me on a very long, messy journey of personal healing. While I would receive feedback from many around me that I would be a great therapist, I doubted myself and dealt with insecurities, both personally and professionally.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Texas. In my practice, I specialize in working primarily with adult women on issues such as grief, anxiety, people-pleasing, codependence, attachment issues, complex childhood trauma and emotional abuse. I am passionate about helping adult children of narcissists be empowered to break free from codependence and find their own voice and their own autonomy.
I am known for my approachable nature, my authenticity in the therapeutic relationship, and for offering real tools to help people overcome trauma. I don’t just feed answers to my clients, I take time to deeply listen and to understand their world. I have many clients tell me that they’ve never felt comfortable to share their story until they come to see me. Many clients express deep relief from finally feeling seen and supported in the messy parts of their story.
I am mostly sought out by Christian individuals looking to integrate their faith into the therapeutic space, as I offer licensed therapy integrated with a Christian worldview. My clients give feedback that they appreciate that I allow my clients to fully and freely explore their own needs, values, and spirituality, knowing that life is messy, and we all have our unique story.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
Over the next 5-10 years, I plan to begin supervising young therapist associates and interns, in hopes that my passions and experience will help to grow authentic, compassionate, quality therapists for the community. I am also teaching at local universities and hope to continue to grow my teaching career at the collegiate level to the same end.
Pricing:
- $135/individual 55 minute session. In person or online in the state of Texas
- Free 15 minute phone consultation
Contact Info:
