ABOUT JESSICA ANDRESINI
All my life I have been drawn to helping others. I received my bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Ramapo College of New Jersey. I went on to pursue training as a yoga and meditation instructor, which helped inform my holistic approach to mental health care. I received my master’s degree in counseling from Montclair State University while working as a graduate assistant for the university’s Center for Autism and Early Childhood Mental Health. During this time, I was able to combine my love of helping people, my passion for psychology, and my understanding of the mind-body connection to nurture mental health.
I began my career as an elementary school counselor, working with students in grades K-5 and teaching social-emotional learning. My experience working in public schools has equipped me with the knowledge and skills to advocate for my clients and their families within the education system from a mental health perspective. With over a decade of experience working with children and adolescents, I specialize in child development, emotional regulation, and healthy coping.
In my work with adults, I am passionate about helping people navigate the unexpected and make meaningful change in their lives. From a mindfulness perspective, I support my clients by helping them to gain deeper self-awareness, uncover and understand patterns, sort through difficult decisions, and deepen their relationships to self and others. I am an LGBTQ+ affirming counselor and I love working with people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds.
I enjoy spending quality time with family and friends, knitting, reading, doing yoga, and spending time outdoors. I love to travel and experience different cultures!
APPROACH TO THERAPY
My theoretical framework is rooted in existential-humanistic psychotherapy with an emphasis on mindfulness practices. I believe that all people possess a deep capacity for self-awareness, agency, and growth. My goal is to create a non-judgmental and nurturing environment so that clients feel safe as they navigate the ups and downs in life. With a focus on empathy and openness, I strive to help each client uncover tools to reach their full potential.
PERINATAL MENTAL HEALTH
As I expand my knowledge base as a clinician, I’ve taken a personal interest in helping clients navigate their perinatal experiences. Working through the anxieties that can accompany reproductive health, either personally or as a supporting partner, can often be isolating, challenging, and confusing. I aim to hold space for my clients’ vulnerability, whether they are on a journey through parenthood, dealing with infertility, seeking support related to loss, or processing a traumatic birth. No matter what these experiences may look like, I will walk alongside my clients through the potential anxieties, grief, and joys encompassing the full spectrum of perinatal mental health.
CERTIFICATIONS AND AWARDS
- Licensed Associate Counselor
- Nationally Certified Counselor
- Certified K-12 School Counselor
- 200-Hour Registered Yoga Instructor
- Graduate Emerging Leader, NJ School Counselor Association
- PMH-C (Perinatal Mental Health Certification)
- Postpartum Support International
MEMBERSHIPS
- American Counseling Association
- Association for Child and Adolescent Counseling
