I believe the safe, non-judgmental, and collaborative nature of the therapeutic relationship is one of the greatest catalysts for change. It takes a certain level of courage and self-compassion to seek out counseling in order to learn, grow, and heal. I believe all my clients are resilient, capable, and have the strength within themselves to create positive changes in their lives. My hope as a therapist is to help you increase self-awareness, accept where you are in your personal growth journey, and to empower you to make the changes you see necessary for your own life. I believe there is great power in changing what we can, and either accepting or letting go of what we cannot. Life is going to have its own set of challenges through all ages and stages, but it is up to us to decide how we are going to cope with and overcome these hardships. I aim to help clients incorporate mindful moments into their routines in order to gain a better understanding of how their thoughts and feelings affect their actions and overall life satisfaction. As a counselor, I do not believe there is a one size fits all approach when working with people. In order to best meet the diverse needs and backgrounds of my clients, I incorporate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques, Reality Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy, and Solution-Focused Counseling strategies based on my client’s personality, needs, and goals. I am here to celebrate all of your success- no matter how small- along the way. I am excited to support and encourage you through your journey of self-discovery and personal growth. Clinical Areas of Interest/Training I have recently worked as a Parent Educator and Community Outreach Liaison for the Early Childhood Education Program at Cook County School District 130. In this role, I provided parenting support groups and connect families with financial, medical, and educational resources. I have previously worked as an Early Intervention Specialist in a homeless shelter in Chicago where I led weekly social-emotional groups for middle school-aged children. Topics covered during our groups included impulse control, anger management, communication skills, focusing/staying on task, problem-solving, goal setting, stress management, and teamwork. This position taught me how adverse and traumatic experiences have a major impact on physical and mental health concerns as well as educational and social success. During my internship at Willowbrook High School, I realized my passion for helping those who struggle with trauma, family concerns, anxiety, stress management, and panic attacks. Helping people recognize triggers and unhelpful thought patterns while developing new skills to cope can aid them in leading healthier and more fulfilling lives. I believe focusing on accomplishments and celebrating successes helps one develop a positive self-concept in order to tackle any challenges that come their way. Though I am most experienced working with teens and parents, I am excited to work with people of all ages and backgrounds. Education I received both my Master’s Degree in School Counseling and a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Governors State University. Through my Master’s Degree, I earned both my LPC and my School Counseling endorsement. During my studies, I had the privilege of studying abroad in Thailand for my Social and Cultural Foundations course where I conducted a presentation on Domestic Violence for the students and the Faculty of Medicine of Burapha University. I completed my counseling internship at Willowbrook High School, where I provided individual and group counseling to students with 504 plans. During my internship, I worked with teens who struggled with anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, self-harm, family stressors, anger management, eating disorders, ADHD, self-esteem, parental divorce, panic attacks, sexuality, stress management, and college/career decisions. License I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Illinois. My license number is 178.016222

Education & experience

Education

Governors State University, Master's in School Counseling

Practice

Thriving Lives Counseling, LLC

Certifications

National Board for Certified Counselors

Background

Languages spoken

English

Gender

Female

NPI number

#1114534930

Jessica Carufel does not participate in Zocdoc to offer online booking at this time

Search similar providers