Jennifer N. Vela, LCSW-S

Hello,

I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a master’s degree in Social Work specializing in Mental Health and Substance Use.  Throughout my career, I’ve ventured into various corners of the mental health landscape, serving diverse populations. This journey has led me to address challenges spanning immigration, human trafficking, crisis intervention, suicide prevention, disaster response, and critical incidents.  I've lent my expertise to hospice care, hospital environments, and national-level consulting for companies. In these roles, I've had the privilege of offering therapeutic services to a wide range of individuals spanning from age 1 to 103, addressing issues such as trauma, depression, anxiety, life transitions, grief, layoffs, employee retention, end-of-life concerns, suicide/self-harm, first-generation struggles, cultural stressors, self-esteem, and addiction.

As a clinical social worker, guided by my code of ethics, I am dedicated to advocating for all individuals' welfare, dignity, and rights, particularly those marginalized or oppressed. With a focus on social justice, I actively work to ensure that everyone has access to essential resources, services, and opportunities while challenging social inequities like discrimination and oppression. I value the diversity of each person’s cultural background and lived experience, striving to provide culturally sensitive care and support for self-determination. My commitment is to promote a fair, inclusive society that respects and empowers everyone.

My therapeutic style is grounded in a holistic approach, where I see individuals as complete beings. I prioritize creating a comfortable space where you can feel safe to be vulnerable, working at your pace to foster a supportive environment. My own experiences with trauma at a young age fueled my passion for psychology and ultimately led me to become a therapist. Having been on the receiving end of therapy myself, I understand the apprehensions that can accompany the first session, and I aim to make the process as approachable as possible. After all, we're all human, navigating through struggles and unexpected events that can leave us feeling adrift and impact our functioning.

Drawing from a toolbox of interventions including CBT, DBT, ACT, Motivational Interviewing, Somatic Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy, I tailor my approach to best suit your needs. Through years of experience, I've come to realize that some individuals thrive with a cognitive-based approach while others respond better to somatic-based methods. Together, we'll embark on a journey of exploration to discover what works best for you.