Educational & Professional Summary
Jessica Shorts, who goes by Jessie, is a Registered Marriage & Family Therapist (AMFT #111289) supervised by Beverly Collier (LMFT #50057). She received her Masters of Science degree in Counseling Psychology from Cal Baptist University and a Bachelor’s degree in Intercultural Studies with an emphasis in Psychology and a minor in Biblical studies from Biola University. Jessie’s journey to the human services field began in 2011 while working abroad at children’s homes and women’s shelters. Since 2015, she has transitioned into serving youth and families who have experienced trauma in her community of San Luis Obispo through a variety of therapeutic roles including home behavioral support, case manager, social worker, and therapist. Her clinical experience has focused on trauma-informed care, anxiety/depression, perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, foster and adoptive families, parenting skills, and helping people adjust during major life transitions.
Therapeutic Approach
Jessie provides therapy to adolescents, individuals, families, and women in their motherhood journey. Her goal is to provide a safe space to collaborate on treatment goals, integrating each individual’s unique strengths. Although pain can derive from relational issues, Jessie strongly believes that relationships, including a strong therapeutic relationship, can bring healing.
As a foundation for psychotherapy, Jessie functions from a holistic perspective, understanding that individuals are heart, mind, body, and soul. Her primary framework stems from acceptance and commitment therapy, which promotes mindfulness and helps individuals live more consistently in line with their values while also developing psychological flexibility in life’s ups and downs. She also integrates family systems, trauma-focused, multicultural, cognitive behavioral, attachment, and gestalt therapeutic techniques.
Personal
Jessie is a connoisseur of play. Moving to the Central Coast in 2015 has provided an endless playground to explore. She enjoys swimming, biking, hiking, surfing, painting, reading, making music, drinking tea, playing board games, as of recently- target runs, and much more. Jessie values her relationships with her family, friends, husband, baby, and her faith in Jesus.