Background & Experience
Jessica McGhee is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor who brings a wealth of diverse experience and a passion for helping others navigate life's challenges. She holds a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from Arcadia University and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Westminster College. Her journey into mental health was sparked during her time in collegiate residence life, first as a student athlete and resident assistant, and later as a coach and resident director, roles that honed her leadership skills and ignited her interest in supporting others. Jessica has worked across various settings, including family-based, community-based, school-based, a college counseling center, and private practice. This extensive background, encompassing assessments, treatment planning, and therapy for diverse populations, provides her with a deep understanding of the complexities individuals face and equips her to offer tailored, effective therapeutic care.
Therapeutic Approach
Jessica utilizes a strengths-based, collaborative approach centered on fostering a warm, empathetic, and safe therapeutic environment. She firmly believes in working alongside clients to help them achieve their goals, make positive life changes, and overcome obstacles, emphasizing the importance of building a strong therapeutic relationship founded on trust, respect, and transparency. By conducting thorough assessments, Jessica gains a deep understanding of each client's unique history and challenges, using the essential lenses of trauma and culture to inform her approach. Her studies on the significance of cultural context in counseling have greatly influenced her ability to collaboratively set meaningful goals and select the most effective treatment methods. Employing evidence-based modalities, Jessica tailors interventions to meet individual needs, often utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to address unhelpful thinking patterns, Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for trauma, and Attachment-Based Family Therapy (ABFT) to strengthen relationships between adolescents and their families. She also integrates creative methods like art and play, particularly for younger clients or those processing trauma, to make therapy more accessible and engaging. With experience supporting children with behavioral concerns, adolescents exploring identity, and young adults navigating life transitions, Jessica has a particular passion for working with adolescents and trauma survivors, ensuring each client receives thoughtful and individualized care.
Unique Aspects & Philosophy
Jessica's path to becoming a therapist was driven by her fulfilling experiences helping students navigate challenges during her time in university residence life, motivating her to seek the skills to provide deeper support. Her core therapeutic values being empathy, respect, and trust are evident in her use of active listening, validation, and allowing space for reflection. She stands out through her integration of creative therapies like art and play, and animal-assisted therapy when possible, recognizing their power to foster calm and openness. Committed to continuous growth, Jessica actively pursues ongoing training for advanced certifications. Her personal experience overcoming challenges fuels her deep empathy and belief in resilience, embodying the idea that "Just because the mountain is high doesn’t mean we stop climbing."
Anxiety & Adjustment
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Anxiety Management
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Medication Anxiety
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Social Anxiety
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Test/performance Anxiety
Grief & Loss
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Acute Grief
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Grief From Losing A Pet
Wellness
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Acute Stress
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Situational Stress
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Self Esteem
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Negative Self Talk
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Bullying
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Fear Failure
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Disordered Eating
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Body Acceptance
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Social Skills
Relationships & Communication
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Family conflict
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Family dynamics
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Family of origin
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Relationship Skills
Parenting &
Family Dynamics
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Adolescent-parent separation
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Children With ADHD
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Parent-Child Relationship
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Parenting Skills
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Peer Pressure
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School Issues
Behavioral &
Impulse-Control
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Behavior Change
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Codependency
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Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
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Addictive Behaviors
Diversity & Identity
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Racial or ethnic identity
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Discrimination
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Religious Identity
Mood
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Depressive disorders
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High-functioning depression
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Major depressive disorder
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Mild depression
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Seasonal depression
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Teen depression
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Anger management
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Anxiety-driven anger
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Emotional disturbance
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Fears and phobias
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Self-harm
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Suicidal ideation
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Bipolar disorder
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Bipolar II
Trauma
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Child And Adolescent Trauma
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Complex Trauma
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Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
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Family Trauma
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Cultural Trauma
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Intergenerational Trauma
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Religious Trauma
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Vicarious Trauma
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Combat Trauma
Support & Life Transitions
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Work Life Balance
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LGBTQ+
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Life Balance
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Life Changes
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Career Changes
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Job Loss
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Military Service
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Military Life Transition
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Childhood Abuse
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Children Of Divorce
Neurodevelopmental
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Adult ADHD
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Child ADHD
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Developmental Trauma
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High-Functioning Autism
Therapy Modalities
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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
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Attachment-Based Family Therapy (ABFT)
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Christian Counseling
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
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Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
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Creative Art Therapy
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Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
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Eclectic
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Emotion Focused Therapy
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Mindfulness-Based Interventions
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Motivational Interviewing
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Multicultural
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Online Therapy Platforms
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Pet-Assisted Therapy
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Positive Psychotherapy
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Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)
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Trauma Focused
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Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)