Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Russell.
Hi Jessica, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My journey into the mental health field started while I was still in my master’s program, working in an inpatient psychiatric facility. I loved the collaborative aspect of it- working alongside psychiatrists, resident doctors, and other mental health professionals- and seeing how all the pieces fit together to help people during some of the darkest moments of their lives. After graduating, I stayed in the inpatient world for my first job, providing group therapy and doing assessments. I found that I was often the person clients sought out when they were feeling intense emotions, and I loved being able to sit with them, hold space, and help them find a more regulated and effective place emotionally.
That experience really shaped the population I work with now- people who have learned to push their emotions aside or invalidate their own needs, when really what they need is permission and support to feel, heal, and move forward.
Later, I transitioned into a group practice, where I worked on a DBT team for several years, especially as the hospital setting became harder to sustain after COVID due to safety and staffing issues. That experience helped me hone my skills and also showed me what I would eventually want- and not want- when it came to building a practice of my own. I’m really grateful for the people and lessons from that time.
Eventually, I decided to start Olive Branch Counseling so I could fully lean into my vision: creating a space where people feel genuinely seen, respected, and supported. Since May of 2024, I’ve been incredibly fortunate to build an amazing team that shares this mission. Whether it’s our clients, our staff, or the other professionals we collaborate with in the community, my goal has been to create a space where people feel heard, understood, and safe enough to unravel past traumas and reconnect with who they really are. I’m incredibly proud of where we are today and so excited for everything that’s still ahead.
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?
I wouldn’t say it’s been a smooth road, but I also believe that’s just part of the process. Before starting my group practice, of course there were hard moments, but I really tried to practice what I teach my clients- going with the flow and trying to find meaning in whatever challenges came up.
Since opening Olive Branch, there have definitely been obstacles- from referral slowdowns to the growing pains of being a business owner and figuring things out as I go. There have been plenty of moments where I didn’t feel like I had all the answers, but I honestly wouldn’t change any of it. I knew going into this that there would be hard seasons, and every challenge has helped me (and the practice) grow in ways that I’m really proud of.
As you know, we’re big fans of Olive Branch Counseling. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Olive Branch Counseling is a trauma-focused group practice based in Plano, Texas, offering therapy both in-person and virtually across the state. We specialize in working with people who often struggle to honor their own emotions, many of whom are people-pleasers, individuals healing from childhood emotional wounds, or those dealing with the impacts of complex trauma. Our therapists are trained in evidence-based approaches like DBT, EMDR, and trauma-informed CBT, but what truly defines us is the way we weave deep relational work into everything we do.
Our vision is not just a tagline. It shows up in how we run our practice day to day. Every therapist at Olive Branch tailors treatment to each client rather than following a rigid model. In our first sessions, we focus less on diagnosing and more on building genuine trust. We are intentional about offering consistent feedback, celebrating emotional progress in real time, and helping clients navigate therapy-interfering behaviors with compassion instead of judgment.
We also live out our mission behind the scenes. Our team holds regular case consultations focused on maintaining a trauma-informed lens, not just discussing symptoms but really looking at the whole person. We work to create strong relationships with doctors, testing centers, and other providers in the community so that our clients have seamless support if they need care beyond therapy. Even the physical environment of our practice is intentional. Our offices are warm and calming, designed to feel safe and welcoming rather than clinical or intimidating.
I am most proud that Olive Branch has become known as a place where people do not have to perform or be “good clients” to be accepted. Whether someone is having a hard week, struggling to show up for themselves, or wrestling with parts of their past they have never spoken aloud, they are met with patience and care.
We want people to know that Olive Branch is a place where real healing happens through real relationships. Our goal is not just to help clients survive or cope. It is to walk alongside them as they reconnect with who they are, so they can move through life with greater confidence, connection, and wholeness.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
I am constantly inspired by business books and podcasts that help me think bigger and push me to stay visionary in how I run my practice. I love resources that challenge me to see new possibilities, refine my leadership, and make sure that Olive Branch Counseling is not just another therapy practice but a true reflection of our mission and values.
Some favorites that have really resonated with me are Clockwork by Mike Michalowicz and You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero. Both encouraged me to think about building something sustainable while staying connected to my purpose and not getting stuck in fear or self-doubt. I also love the Female Founders Breaking Boundaries podcast. It is refreshing to hear real conversations about business ownership that are bold, creative, and unapologetically different.
I am always looking for new ways to bring our vision to life, whether it is through the client experience, our team culture, or how we build relationships in the community. Business resources like these help me stay on my toes and remind me that building something meaningful requires ongoing creativity, intentionality, and the willingness to do things differently.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://olivebranchdfw.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/olivebranchdfw/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/olivebranchdfw
- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/olivebranchdfw
