Jessica Petrone, MS, LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor
Puntarenas P
My approach is grounded in compassion, empathy, and unconditional positive regard. I believe in a holistic and integrative practice, working from a whole-person approach incorporating all elements of wellness, including mind, body, spirit, emotion, and nature. Working through relational and collaborative framework we are able to ignite a shift in your life and foster the deep and meaningful change you have been seeking. My passion is in working with individuals seeking liberation and healing from anxiety, depression, traumas, addictions, life changes, difficult relationships, communication challenges, and any other patterns or blockages that have been keeping them from rising to their highest sense of self.
I believe in a strengths-based, humanistic approach to healing; each person has the answers they seek, but sometimes just needs another individual to sit with in warmth and attunement to be a sounding board and source of support and accountability. I have a deep devotion to help individuals learn to trust their own inner wisdom and intuition once again. I incorporate many ecotherapeutic, experiential, expressive, and mindfulness techniques, as well as the Emotional Freedom Technique (tapping) to help individuals develop and strengthen their toolbox of holistic self-regulation and self-care.
I have always held a strong passion for the healing arts, the natural world, and being of service. It has been an honor to be able to combine these aspects of life in my path. After studying Psychology and Sociology in undergrad, I went on to work as a Case Manager for a homeless shelter before moving to Zambia for two years to serve in the Peace Corps. A year and a half after my return to the states, while teaching at an outdoor school, I was guided into pursuing my MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a Specialization in Ecopsychology, to deepen my knowledge and combine my two passions to being of service to individuals and to the Earth simultaneously.
Since starting the path on Counseling and Ecotherapy, I have worked with individuals experiencing homelessness, in an Intensive Out-Patient substance and dual-diagnosis treatment center, with individuals within the judicial system, in a holistic addiction treatment center in the mountains, in a school for young people with emotional and behavioral challenges, in a Wilderness Therapy program in the jungles of Costa Rica.
I have since been dedicating these last five years to my private practice, both in person and online, with a special focus on plant medicines. During this phase of my career I have had the great privilege to support hundreds of individuals working in sacred circles and ceremonies, as well as in pre- and post-ritual counseling. My heart goes deep and wide to meet people where they are and to help each individual to start to undo the programming that has been keeping them stuck, while tuning into and accessing the rooted inner wisdom and strength that is waiting to flourish. I am humbled and inspired by the work we can do together!