Jess Vacek, LMSW

Jess (she/her) is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) for the state of Tennessee. Jess obtained her bachelor's degree in social work with a minor in music in 2021 from Troy University in Troy, Alabama. She went on to earn her master's degree in social work in 2022, also from Troy University. She is currently an adjunct social work professor for Troy University in her spare time.

After finishing her master's program, Jess became the Mental Health Services Coordinator of her local school district. In this position, she worked one on one with adolescents, facilitated therapeutic groups, managed crisis situations, and worked with school administration on mental health policy. After moving to Tennessee with her partner and rescue pup, Evie, Jess became a school-based adolescent therapist where she provided individual as well as family therapy. Jess is trained in various therapeutic modalities including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR), play therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness, Sensory Motor Arousal Regulation Therapy (SMART), Aggression Replacement Therapy (ART), and Health Rhythms Therapeutic Drumming. Jess specializes in adolescent therapy but has worked with individuals from age 5 to adulthood. Her experience also includes work with conduct disorders, anxious and depressive disorders, trauma processing, self-harming behavior, individuals struggling with addiction, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Once resistant to therapy herself, Jess understands that opening up to a stranger can be overwhelming. This felt experience allows Jess to bring a deepened sense of empathy, compassion, and flexibility to every session. Jess believes that building a strong therapeutic relationship with trust and sincerity is necessary for growth. Jess focuses on creating a safe therapeutic environment that encourages and empowers clients to walk through their pain at their own pace, knowing they are in control and not alone.