Jess Hernandez, LICSW

Group Supervisor | she/they
☼

Leo

☾

Leo

↑

Leo

Ask me about…

Tik Tok, being a neurodivergent human, Ru Paul’s Drag Race, polyamory, and parenting

Clinical Interests:

Trauma and Post-traumatic Growth, Working with LGBTQIA+ folks, Dismantling Systems of Oppression in the Therapy Space, Neurodivergence, Parenting, Sexuality and kink, and Living with Severe Mental Illness

Language(s) spoken:

English

What brought you into this field?

I know what it’s like to go through something difficult without any support and I never want someone else to go through that. I believe in the power of connection and the power of human resilience. Being in this field allows me to meet all kinds of amazing people and to watch them do some pretty awesome things in the therapy room.

Counseling style:

My counseling style is pretty laid-back and flexible. I take the lead of my clients and consider myself more of a co-pilot. I believe that laughter is just as important in the therapy room as any therapeutic intervention. Ultimately, though, I believe that the most important tool we have for healing is connection. This means that I will take extra care in developing a safe and trusting therapeutic relationship where you can thrive and be yourself (or meet yourself for the first time. Hello!). I am a neurodivergent human, so please excuse my distractibility (ooo, shiny!)… I try my best to keep it in check.

Modalities:

I practice an integrative style of person-centered, trauma-informed psychotherapy and utilize elements of attachment theory, feminism and anti-racism, humanistic therapy, strengths-based therapy, and psychoanalytic theory. I utilize CBT, DBT, and motivational interviewing when appropriate.

Specializations:

PTSD/Trauma/C-PTSD, Domestic and Sexual Violence, ADHD, Autism, LGBTQIA+ Identities, Phase of Life Challenges, Depression, Elderly populations

Education:

BA in Music with focus on Ethnomusicology from Wheaton College (MA)
MSW from Springfield College, Phi Alpha Honor Society

Past Experience:

I have over 7 years of experience doing advocacy and counseling with survivors of domestic and sexual violence. I have worked in children’s advocacy centers, community mental health clinics, jails, and substance abuse treatment programs. I have worked with folx of all ages ranging from 4 to 94.

Trainings:

Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, and Human Trafficking 40-hour Comprehensive Training
Trauma-informed care
Dissociative Identity Disorder: Diagnosis, Stabilization and Complex Trauma Treatment in Clients with DID
LGBTQ Identities and LGBTQ Aging
Substance Abuse Treatment- Massachusetts Impaired Driving Program and Second Offender Aftercare
Harm Reduction for Substance Use Treatment and Self-Injurious Behavior
Developmental Disabilities and Sexuality
Crisis Intervention
Cultural Humility