Acceptance and Commitment (ACT) Therapists in Vestavia Hills, AL

As a dedicated and compassionate therapist, I am committed to supporting individuals on their journey towards healing and transformation. With a profound understanding of the impact of relational trauma and life transitions on mental and emotional well-being, I provide a safe and empathetic space for clients to explore and navigate the complexities of their experiences.

I am a LICSW specializing in Individual and Couples therapy. I am a Certified Gottman Therapist (CGT), A Bringing Baby Home Educator with additional training in Emotion Coaching through the Gottman Institute. I am also a Prepare/Enrich Facilitator for engaged couples & married couples. I have lived & worked in several states across the country which, I believe, gives me a more global perspective on issues that we all face from time to time. And with over 20 years experience as a psychotherapist, I am experienced in a broad range of issues; and approach each client with warmth, acceptance and a sense of humor.

I specialize in counseling teens, college students, young adults, and adults experiencing anxiety, depression, and difficult periods of adjustment – like moving, graduation, career changes, or relationship issues. Empower Counseling offers Acceptance Commitment Therapy, a type of cognitive behavioral therapy scientifically proven for anxiety and depression. I will assist in working through thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that could be holding you back from achieving your goals. I will also reframe thoughts to be more helpful and teach skills that will assist in growth towards the best version of yourself.

The lotus flower symbolizes; purity, enlightenment, self-regeneration and rebirth. Here at lotus healing that’s exactly what we will focus on during your healing journey! Lotus specializes working with teens and adults whom experience daily stressful situations including: work stress, marital concerns, anxiety, depression, parenting issues, family dynamics, school stress, bullying, post trauma, self esteem building and communication building.

Oftentimes in life we feel at a standstill as to what to do next. It can be overwhelming and difficult. Whether it be a transition to a new life stage, working on our self-esteem or processing any of life's unexpected changes. I like to work with client's and their families to navigate through these challenges in proving warmth and acceptance as well as meeting my clients where they are at. As a counselor I work to connect with my clients and empower them reach their individual goals.

I have a special interest in counseling male clients age 13 and up. I also specialize in seeing women who prefer to see a male counselor. Helping men with depression, anxiety, relationship issues, life events, and helping them navigate the world through the male perspective is a passion of mine. I help men break the stigma of therapy to get the help they need and deserve. I help clients with issues such as depression, anxiety, personality disorders, addiction, anger management, family conflict, communication, trauma, behavioral concerns, relationship problems, and many more.

Do you struggle with anxiety and excessive worry? Have you been through a traumatic event that was difficult to resolve? We help individuals, couples, children, and families overcome anxiety, depression, worry, recent or past trauma, stress, PTSD, child behavioral problems, couples challenges, and family conflict issues. We identify ways to get you un-stuck and back to wellness. Our Psychologists and Therapists have many years of combined training and experience. We use state of the art techniques to help you overcome your challenges. We'll help you practice new ways of looking at things and handling problems more effectively.

No two people or situations are exactly the same. I use active listening skills as you express your reality, so that we can work towards a positive change in your situation. I enjoy and continue to work with a diverse clientele. Providing services to adult and adolescent individuals who may be dealing with depression, boundary setting, bullying, self-esteem, peer pressure, gender identity or other environmental concerns that may unsettle daily life.

I believe change is hard, and therapy is an endeavor that takes courage, but it's also an opportunity for growth, healing, and moving forward. If you've never been, therapy may appear intimidating, but it's really just a process of identifying areas to work on, developing goals, and then working toward those goals. It's awesome getting to work with people who are ready to start the process of change and experience the emotional, spiritual, and relational growth that happens as a result. Some of the areas I work with clients on are anxiety, depression, trauma, couples therapy, borderline personality disorder, boundaries, and others.

My ideal client is any individual whose primary desire is to better understand themselves, feel more confident, and have more choice and freedom in their lives. I believe that while every individual's issues and circumstances are different, as long as those are their primary goals, I will be able to find a way to be effective with them. It does not mean that any individual has to have it all figured out beforehand but a willingness to face uncomfortable thoughts and feelings and remain open-minded to the process of getting better.

My mission is to support you on your journey towards healing, personal growth, and resilience. Together, we will work towards your goals, fostering lasting positive change in your life. My focus areas include: helping individuals navigate shifts in relationships, fostering healthier connections, and enhancing communication; assisting clients in processing changes or loss, finding meaning, and rebuilding their lives; conceptualizing the complexities of life, from exploration through adaptation and success.

I take special interest in adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) with adults, or trauma exposure, and believe that only by working through these experiences can we begin to heal. ACEs can lead to issues in adulthood relationships, careers, and mental health that we do not often realize correlates with our childhood experiences. I have extensive experience working with those experiencing PTSD, panic attacks, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, OCD, phobias, and life transitions. I also have unique experience working with individuals with mood disorders, such as bipolar disorder, personality disorders, and major depressive disorder.

Are you struggling with poor body image or disordered eating? Do you want to feel more confident about who you are on the inside and outside? Do you find yourself feeling mentally or emotionally overwhelmed? Have you experienced suffering that has left you feeling lost? Are you going through a rough time and need help but are unsure where to turn? Are you feeling trapped in a cycle of worry or people-pleasing? If this resonates with you, therapy could help. Schedule a free intake session and find out if therapy is a good match for your needs.

I am committed to helping individuals facing adversity find peace and reach their therapeutic goals within their unique contexts. My work focuses on providing accessible counseling services that draw from various therapeutic modalities, with a special interest in working with neurodiverse individuals and the queer community. I believe in helping clients navigate their emotional and psychological challenges in a client-centered and validating manner, regardless of their background. I see myself as a guide, not a teacher, recognizing that clients are the experts in their own lived experiences.

I’m passionate about creating a resting place for spiritual souls that have experienced church hurt, spiritual trauma and those that are struggling with sexual addictions, helping them see how beautiful they are in the midst of uncertainty and change. When it feels like your life seems to be unraveling and entering unchartered territory, where once the sources of connection and safety no longer feel like a place of belonging, that can feel extremely scary. Without a safe place to process and heal from these wounds, this sense of unsettling won’t just magically disappear even if you leave that triggering environment.

Jessica D. Kuklo is a dedicated and compassionate therapist specializing in PTSD, depression and anxiety. With years of experience in the field, she is deeply committed to helping individuals overcome the challenges associated with trauma, depression and anxiety. Jessica is committed to helping individuals achieve their emotional well-being and achieve personal growth. With a warm and empathetic approach, she creates a safe and non-judgmental space for clients to explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences.

Dragonfly Counseling's goal is to help you facilitate the transformation you wish to see within yourself through affordable and accessible mental health therapy. We believe in walking alongside you while you are on this journey of self-exploration. Change is not a linear process, it is evolving and dynamic, and we wish to assist through this process. It is never too late to begin your expedition towards transformation and change, the right time to start is NOW!

I enjoy supporting couples seeking to clarify shared goals, address conflicts and increase their sense of appreciation for one another. Couples seeking guidance around navigating non-traditional partnerships, long distance, the management of finances, family planning, building and maintaining intimacy and improving communication among a myriad of other topics, generally find my approach helpful. I also support individuals managing symptoms of anxiety, depression and various life transitions.

We are a multi-specialty therapy practice serving the needs of the entire family. From postpartum depression and infertility, to trauma and addiction, to ADHD and anxiety, we are here for your family. We utilize evidence-based therapeutic techniques, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Mindfulness, and Art and Play therapy. We have each received specialized training in our respective areas of expertise, and we are so excited to bring these services to Baldwin and Jefferson Counties.