Space & Grace
Counseling, Coaching & Education
Therapeutic support and education for women, infants, children and families. Providing an authentic, comfortable space for finding the grace to carry us through life.
My Approach
Reflective & Relational
As an early relational health and perinatal mental health specialist, I believe in the power of the relationship. Your relationship with yourself, your support network, your child(ren), and with me, all provide a source of exploration, reflectivity and change. We work collaboratively to identify your strengths and areas of concern, developing concrete and thoughtful ways of building your resilience and overcome life’s many challenges. We will strive to find grace, joy and growth in your day to day.
Flexible & Person Centered
Not one approach works for every person. Getting to know you, your family and your individual needs means care and support that is as individual as you. We reflect on your past, current and future to find the most authentic version of you, finding healing and grace along the way.
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Certified Perinatal Mental Health Clinician
Postpartum Support International
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Endorsed Infant Mental Health Specialist
NJ Association for Infant Mental Health
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Childbirth Educator
Lamaze International
Counseling for Women
I support women at all ages and stages of life. Healing and hope are uncovered through our collaborative exploration of feelings, thoughts, relationships, worries and cares. My guidance and support are genuine and compassionate, offering a non-judgmental space for finding your strengths and areas for growth. As a Certified Perinatal Mental Health clinician, I have specific expertise supporting women during the perinatal period, through all the fears, worries, excitement and joy that come with the transition to motherhood, as well as relational disruptions, anxiety, depression, and self-esteem concerns.
Services
Childbirth Education
This course is perfect for those who really aren’t sure what they want or what to expect from their birth experience! Whether you’re considering a natural birth or you want to know more about your medically supported options, this is the place for you. Based on the Lamaze Six Healthy Birth Practices, this course will provide essential information and practical tools you need to feel confident in your birth experience. You will gain an understanding of the hormonal and physiological process of labor and birth, comfort measures and techniques, and ways partners can support labor and birth. Postpartum and early newborn care are also shared. You will leave feeling more empowered and confident to make well-informed decisions about your labor and birth.
Counseling for infants, children & families
As an early relational health specialist, I utilize the therapy space to encourage and support our relationships as the foundation for all future growth, developmental and mental health. This means we find ways to enhance attachment and find deeper understanding of our baby’s or young child’s behaviors. We focus on using our relationship to promote optimal mental health for our babies and children. Early support can make a positive impact on your child’s behavior, frustration tolerance, emotional regulation and self-control, and have a lifetime of benefit for your child and your family.
Parenting Education and Workshops
Social media and societal expectations have become completely overwhelming for parents today. It is far too easy to fall down the rabbit hole of all the tips and strategies for parenting today. Reality is, not one strategy, tool, or approach works for every child or family. The good news is, there is plenty of science that backs the greatest strategy of all… your relationship. These parenting workshops focus on developing a better understanding of yourself as a parent, your child’s brain and behaviors, and how to use your time together to promote strong, healthy relationships and children. Complete the interest form to stay up to date about upcoming workshops or to request a topic. Some workshops include:
The ABC’s of Getting to Know your Baby (Attachment & Attunement, Behavior & Being With, and Co-regulation)
Challenging Behaviors
One to Two: What do I do?
Time Out or Time In- What Works?
Developmentally Appropriate Expectations
Parent Coaching Program
Ideal for expectant parents and parents of children birth-five. This is a six-month coaching program which prioritizes parental reflective capacity, knowledge of developmentally appropriate expectations, understanding child behavior and the science behind your baby and child’s developing brain, and parenting through co-regulation. More details coming soon! Complete the interest form to stay up to date on the parent coaching program!
Support Groups
We seek out others in times of trauma and stress as a means to finding safety and comfort. Collective support is a pathway for healing and hope. My groups prioritize your feelings of validation, connectedness and healing. Groups are therapeutic and peer supported and follow the needs of the group members. Complete the interest form to stay up to date about upcoming groups or to request a group. Some offerings include:
Postpartum connections
Birth Trauma Support
What participants say about working with me
"I appreciate the professionalism throughout sharing about sensitive and personal topics. We feel much more confident going into the big day after taking your class. "
Dad, Childbirth education
“Jessi was kind and went above and beyond with all of the information she shared with my husband and I. The knowledge we gained is something I will never forget and always use.”
Mom, family counseling
Get in Touch!
Schedule a FREE 30 minute initial consultation. Discover the support which will best support you.
FAQ
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Early Relational Health is the state of emotional well-being that grows from emotional connection between babies and toddlers and their parents and caregivers when they experience strong, positive, and nurturing relationships with each other.
Early Relational Health is foundational to children’s healthy growth and development and their parents’ and caregivers’ sense of competence, connection, and overall well-being. These strong and enduring relationships also help to protect the family from the harmful effects of stress. (NurtureConnection)
Early Relational Health means the well-being, development and behaviors of our infants and children is DIRECTLY connected to the health, mental health and well-being of the adults around them.
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Perinatal mental health focuses on the mental health and well-being of moms from conception through the first year of life. The perinatal period of time is a time of considerable change and transformation for moms and requires specialized considerations and treatments. The hormonal changes and the overall transition to motherhood can bring about significant mental health changes.
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Being a parent is incredibly rewarding, and can be incredibly challenging! Our relationship with our children is the primary strategy and tool for us to support our child(ren). Parenting through co-regulation allows our child(ren) to feel seen, heard, loved and appreciated, even in our most difficult moments. You and your child(ren) may benefit from child and family therapy if:
Your child’s behaviors are difficult and challenging for you to navigate
You want to help your child express and manage their emotions and BIG feelings
Your family is experiencing separation, divorce, loss and/or grief
You want to support your child’s ability to have more impulse control and frustration tolerance
You and/or your child are experiencing separation anxiety
You are finding it difficult to connect with your baby or child
You are unsure of how to develop appropriate boundaries and how to help your child to respect boundaries
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Yes, infant mental health is a thing! Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH) is the developing capacity of the infant/young child to form close and secure relationships; experience, manage, and express a full range of emotions; and explore the environment and learn—all in the context of family, community, and culture (ZTT, 2021). This means our babies and children grow, develop and THRIVE based on the relationships they have with parents, caregivers, and peers around them. Infant and early childhood mental health therapy means we focus on your relationship with your baby or child as the tool for change. We work with parental confidence and competence in their relationship and parenting skills which can positively impact the behavior, growth and development of their baby or child(ren). Once again, our health, mental health and well-being is directly related to the well-being, health and behaviors of our babies and children.
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I am an out of network provider. Superbills can be provided for insurance reimbursement as your plan allows.
Initial consultations are free of charge.
Individual therapy: $115 per session
Child and family therapy: $155 per session
Childbirth education: $350 per couple (typically six hours of content and one optional postpartum visit)
Parent education workshops: Varies per topic
Parent Coaching Program: Details coming soon!
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Consultations are a time for you to share your wonderings, questions, concerns and uncertainties about services. We will review your questions and identify the best next steps for support.