It is extremely important to me that therapy be an emotionally safe space for my clients where they will have the support they need to grow and change. I work to balance validation with providing education, constructive feedback, and skill building.

My communication style is adaptive, meaning I tailor my approach based on each client’s needs and preferences. Whether it’s offering a more direct, solution-focused dialogue or creating a softer, reflective space for exploration, I adjust my communication to best support the individual or couple I’m working with. This flexibility allows me to meet clients where they are emotional, ensuring they feel understood and comfortable while working toward their goals.

From a space of non-judgment and sensitivity, I believe it is my job to provide a supportive environment for us to explore patterns that contribute to the pain and challenges of your everyday life. I aim to bring light to different ways of being, so you can experience less pain, more satisfaction, and a better quality of life. We all get stuck at some point in our lives. It is my job to be present in those "stuck" moments so that we may collaborate in discovering the origins of the pain while identifying a path to well-being that fits for you.

Jessica deOrnellas is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Pennsylvania. Jessica has been working in the helping field since 2014 and as an outpatient therapist since 2017. She has extensive experience providing evidence-based treatment to a wide variety of people, including adults, children, and adolescents. Jessica works with individuals who are seeking help with anxiety, depression, anger management, behavioral issues, underdeveloped coping skills, grief, transitional periods, low self-esteem, stress, and addictions.

My primary treatment approach is cognitive-behavioral which is solution-focused and generally shorter-term, however, in reality, we all generally benefit from a variety of therapeutic strategies and i will often utilize complementary and eclectic techniques that enables a more personalized treatment approach and relies on best practices for your specific issues. You will find me to be an active and engaged therapist and we will work together in a team-oriented and collaborative style. I often recommend activities to practice between sessions, and these might include a journal, trying out new communication skills and problem-solving or coping techniques that we have practiced, brief reading assignments, some research, relaxation techniques, and a variety of other options. I believe humor is an important element in the therapeutic process, and to life in general, and I strive to create a relaxing and trusting environment with my clients. I am very happy to answer any questions you might have, and if I am unsure, I will do all that I can to help point you in the right direction. I consider it an honor to assist clients on their personal journey in therapy. Participating in therapy is an important step in reclaiming your happiness and satisfaction and I take me role in providing assistance on that journey seriously as I appreciate the time, cost, and emotional investment of this choice.

Therapy should be a place where you can show up as your full, authentic self — not the polished version you think you're supposed to be. I'm not the distant, silent, smile-and-nod kind of therapist. Clients tell me they appreciate the validation and empathy I bring, and that I'm not afraid to be direct when it matters. You'll hear me curse once in a while. We'll laugh together, and we'll sit with the hard stuff, and I'll say the honest thing about what's keeping you stuck. At some point one of my dogs or ferrets will make a surprise appearance on screen. I can't ask you to be real with me if I'm not willing to be real with you. My work is grounded in relational and interpersonal approaches, which means the trust between us is central to the healing — not a preliminary to it. Our relationships, with ourselves and with the people and systems around us, tend to be where our deepest wounds come from and where growth actually happens. I'm also trauma-informed, holistic, and multicultural in how I work. I want to understand you in the context of your identity, your history, your culture, and your strengths — not just your symptoms. Depending on what you need, our work might include evidence-based trauma interventions, practical skills, psychoeducation, exploring relationship patterns, creative and expressive approaches, or body-focused techniques. No two people need the same thing, so I don't work from a formula. My job isn't to tell you who to become. It's to help you reconnect with who you already are. Your first consultation is free — a relaxed chance to tell me what's on your mind and ask me anything. Let's get you to more than surviving.

Wooni Kim is a board-certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) with over 12 years of experience. She specializes in the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, attention-deficit hyperactivity (ADHD), obsessive-compulsive challenges (OCD), posttraumatic stress (PTSD), bipolar condition, and schizophrenia, among others. Wooni has worked in inpatient and outpatient psychiatry, hospice, and home health. She is devoted to evidence-based, holistic care through a compassionate, patient-centered approach.

At FamilyFirst Psychological Services in Vienna, Virginia, your family's well-being is our first priority. All of our licensed clinical psychologists are dedicted to helping children, adolescents, and adults feel better, establish healthier communication and relational patterns, and improve functioning at home, school, work, and in the community. We provide psychotherapy to individuals of all ages who are experiencing anxiety, depression, ADHD, behavior problems,developmental delays (e.g., asperger's syndrome) trauma, parent stress, marital difficulties, or a recent life change (e.g., divorce, loss, birth of a sibling, relocation). We also conduct psychoeducational and psychological testing to uncover explanation(s) for your child/adolescent's academic, behavioral, or social difficulties. We offer our services in a family-friendly, warm, professional environment. We work closely with you to both develop and meet your individual treatment goals. Call us today so that we can help you reach your goals as soon as possible.

Working with you, alongside you, and for YOU, to take care of the emotional wellbeing that defines YOU. Life can present some difficult challenges. With the right support, these can be an incredible opportunity to grow. I offer deep empathy and active listening skills. I meet you where you are, and assist you in developing strength based techniques that you can use in reaching your goals in a non judgmental environment. I am also offering group counseling and workshops online that will assist you in taking care of your mental health.

Do you ever feel like happiness eludes you while those around you seem to have it all together? Do you find yourself questioning if others are simply pretending to be happy, as you struggle with overwhelming emotions? Rest assured, experiencing seasons of anxiety and depression is a normal part of life. As a therapist, my mission is to provide unwavering support and guide you out of this challenging season. With a focus on anxiety, depression, eating disorders, couples, and families, my practice caters to individuals of all ages, from children and adolescents to adults. I also specialize in addressing relationship issues and offer valuable dating assistance for singles. During our collaborative journey, we will incorporate a range of evidence-based treatment modalities, such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and the renowned Gottman Method. My utmost priority is to cultivate a calm, safe space where you can freely express yourself without fear of judgment. Together, we will explore all aspects of your life, identifying areas that are no longer serving you while building new coping skills and adopting healthier thought patterns. Your healing journey starts today, and I am here to guide you every step of the way. Let's embark on a path of transformation and rediscover the joy and fulfillment that await you. Reach out today, and let's begin this empowering and transformative process together. I am accepting new clients: in-person and virtual!

Do you get extra nervous around other people—especially new people or people that you do not know very well? Do you find yourself overthinking everything you say because you are worried about saying the "wrong thing"? Or after a conversation, you replay the entire conversation in your mind and get stuck on worrying that you embarrassed yourself? Perhaps there is a social activity that you would like to do, but you avoid it due to how anxious it makes you feel? Everyone can have experiences like these sometimes, but if you find that anxiety about interacting with other people is interfering with your life, then social anxiety may be the cause. If so, then I can help: I specialize in working with people who are struggling with social anxiety. First, we'll do a thorough assessment just to make sure that social anxiety is the best explanation for what you are experiencing. If it is, you will learn to identify and challenge the thoughts and beliefs that are feeding into your anxiety, reduce the power of your thoughts and feelings, gradually confront the very situations that are making you feel so anxious, and move toward your values. By doing this, you can start to feel better. While that does not always mean that your anxiety will completely go away, it means that the anxiety will likely be much more manageable—you will be able to do more of what is important to you and actually enjoy it. To help determine whether working together would be a good fit, the next step is to schedule a free, 15-minute phone consultation—no pressure, just a conversation. You can schedule online by going to my website, send me a message (best way to reach me), or give me a call. I will get back to you very quickly, usually within 24 hours!

I believe the therapeutic relationship itself is a healing experience. During sessions, we are able to process your thoughts, emotions, and lived truth in context with your current life. We work together, with you in charge of the pace and direction that we go in. I offer you a mirror to see your life from different perspectives, as we so often get stuck in one thought pattern. I believe you have deep wisdom within you; my job is to help you connect to your inner self so that you can gain insight that allows you to live your best life.