the unshrink project

welcome

I help people looking for a therapist connect with the right resource. No more endless scrolling through directories or second-guessing similar sounding options. Just simple, compassionate guidance to find meaningful support when you need it. Decades of experience have shown me that our early therapy experiences (including those first calls and emails) have a tremendous impact on whether we continue, how helpful therapy is, and the ways we learn to see ourselves within our challenges. The Unshrink Project was created with this beginning space in mind. It’s a guided first step to help you make sense of what you need, what you value, and how to move ahead so you can get the most from the resources you decide to invest in. Together we’ll take a deep breath, explore what’s most important to you and the kinds of support that might be the best fit, and create a helpful referral plan.

The goal is simple: to help you start therapy with more support, less stress, and a clearer sense of direction.

approach

Hi, I'm Jess. I'd like to give you a map for therapy. One that helps you move forward with greater ease, confidence, and clarity about what you're embarking on. Asking for help from a stranger is not easy. I have over two decades of experience as a therapist to guide you in this process with care and compassion. I love pulling together the many elements of a story to help you move forward with a personalized plan and direction.

who this is for

I work with people who are ready to take a thoughtful first step toward mental health support, but feel unsure about how to begin or stuck in decision-making. You might be:

Overwhelmed by options. You’ve Googled therapists or scrolled through directories and don’t know how to sort through it all.

Unsure what kind of help is needed. Words like CBT, trauma-informed, or somatic therapy feel confusing or unclear. Or, you've learned a lot about various options and would like to talk through what you know.

Tried reaching out before. Maybe you’ve hit dead ends: full waitlists, no insurance match, or no response at all.

Worried about “getting it wrong.” You don’t want to waste time or money starting with a therapist who isn’t a good fit. You may have had a negative experience, or are someone who is thoughtful about their connections.

Like the idea of therapy but feel hesitant. It feels like a big step, and you’d like some guidance at the beginning.

a note on inclusion & care

Mental health care has not always been safe, welcoming, or helpful for everyone. Many communities, including people of color, Indigenous people, LGBTQIA+ individuals, people with disabilities, immigrants, and others, have been harmed or excluded by the systems meant to support them. Understandably, this history leaves many people cautious or unsure about engaging in therapy.

The Unshrink Project was partly created to bring meaningful change to the quality of care available to those in need. My approach is not about fitting you into a narrow model of “mental health” defined by Western clinical systems. Instead, I take time to listen, to understand what matters to you, and to acknowledge the cultural, systemic, and personal contexts that shape your experience.

This means I actively reflect on my own biases, question the limits of traditional mental health frameworks, and aim to create space that feels safer and more relevant to you, wherever you’re starting from.

The heart of The Unshrink Project is simple: to make beginning this journey less overwhelming, more personal, and more respectful of the whole of who you are.

next steps

If this feels like the right place to begin, you’re welcome to reach out for an initial conversation. Together, we’ll create the space you need to start well.