About Me
Hello and welcome! I am Jessica Byrd (she/her), therapist and owner of Embodied Empowerment Counseling Services. My approach to working with women’s mental health focuses on promoting personal growth through the embodiment of autonomy, choice, empowerment, and authenticity. I work with my clients to shift out of narratives that have kept them disconnected so that they can reclaim feelings of curiosity, compassion, and self-discovery that are crucial to their emotional and physical wellbeing. Some of the concerns I treat often include anxiety, shame, perfectionism, parenthood indecision, body image concerns, infertility, self-esteem, disordered eating, stress and burnout, reproductive trauma, and sexual dissatisfaction.
I believe that people heal best when they have access to a space where they are seen, heard, and able to be their authentic selves. My hope is that you leave my office with a greater understanding of who you are and feel more comfortable in your body. I would love to talk with you more about how I can support you, so please don’t hesitate to reach out to me with any questions!
About My Clients
I work well with clients who want to prioritize their own autonomy and are motivated to create authentic change in their lives. My clients often struggle with unrealistic expectations that lead to frustration, burn-out, and indecision. They never quite feel “good enough” and are exhausted trying to do it all. They often find themselves stuck in patterns of self-judgement and disconnection that impact their confidence and self-esteem. I enjoy helping clients build new patterns and insights that restore balance and connection to their lives.
My Education and Experience
I graduated from the Brown School of Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis with a concentration in Trauma and Sexual Empowerment. My clinical experience and training have focused on addressing the needs of women’s mental health in areas related to body image, sexuality, reproductive health, self-esteem, trauma, anxiety, and relationships. I've been working with in the field of women’s mental health for nearly a decade and have experience working in a variety of settings including women’s shelters and outreach programs, women’s reproductive health centers, eating disorder treatment centers, and outpatient private practices.
My Interests and Passions
My experiences as a woman, social worker, and therapist have taught me the importance of women having access to spaces where they are able to make informed, educated choices about their own bodies. As a therapist I am particularly passionate about empowering women to consciously engage in their sexual and reproductive health. I have extensive training and experience in the field of women’s sexual and reproductive health, and am comfortable addressing concerns such as including low libido, arousal difficulties, sexual avoidance, and sexual shame, parenthood indecision, and reproductive trauma/anxiety.
My Memberships and Affiliations
National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM)
Ready to get started?
I am honored that you have chosen this practice to continue your healing journey and look forward to working with you! Reach out to me so that we can talk more about moving forward together.