Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica McDuffee
Hi Jessica, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Growing up, family and friends often told me I’d make a great counselor, but at the time I could not visualize what that would look like. My dream in high school, was to move to NYC and study fashion—a passion my parents supported. However, my mom encouraged me to take an aptitude test, and it completely shifted my career direction. Alongside my love for fashion, I had always been fascinated by crime-based TV shows, movies, and books. The test revealed that being a detective could be a great fit, and that sparked my interest in pursuing criminal justice.
Upon graduating from high school, I moved from Washington D.C. to Huntsville, TX, to attend Sam Houston State University, known for its top-tier criminal justice program. My time at SHSU was enriching, and the summer before my senior year, I interned with a non-profit in Tennessee and Georgia, working with at-risk adolescents and leading pro-social groups with adult inmates. This experience was transformative, revealing that my true calling lay in rehabilitation rather than punishment.
Encouraged once again to consider counseling by those I worked with, I decided to take a chance. Despite not being overly confident in my academic abilities, I applied to SHSU’s graduate program. This decision marked the beginning of my counseling career, and it’s proven to be the best choice I’ve ever made. Reflecting now, I see how my journey—both personal and professional—has uniquely equipped me to be an understanding, empathetic, and trauma-informed counselor.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Every journey has its highs and lows, and the path to becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) is certainly no exception. During graduate school, I faced a few setbacks, such as delays with paperwork and the administrative processes, which ended up extending my timeline by an extra semester. This also meant I had to take my National Counselor Exam after graduation instead of while in school. At the time, these setbacks felt overwhelming, but looking back now, they were just small bumps in the road that didn’t ultimately hinder my journey.
On a more positive note, I worked at a community mental health agency throughout graduate school, which allowed me to transition smoothly into a full-time role after completing my degree. I stayed in that position for about two years and four years total in community mental health, before making the leap into private practice—a move that initially filled me with fears and worries but has since proven to be a wonderful change. I started at a private practice specializing in child counseling and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). After about 10 months, I was offered an exciting opportunity to help Barnhill & Associates Counseling Center establish a satellite campus in The Woodlands. I gladly accepted, and it has turned out to be a fantastic work environment and opportunity for growth.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Texas, where counselors are licensed on a state-by-state basis. I currently offer both in-person and virtual sessions. My training includes Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused Behavior Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). While I work with clients aged 10 through adulthood, my passion lies in supporting teens, college students, and young adults. These formative years are incredibly impactful, and I enjoy helping my clients develop a strong sense of self and clarity around their values, which I believe serve as guiding principles for thoughts, decisions, and relationships.
Although I’m trained in structured modalities, I take a person-centered approach, allowing clients to lead the sessions and focus on what matters most to them. An analogy I often use, inspired by a therapist I saw in college, is that therapy is like a road trip: the client is in the driver’s seat, determining the speed and direction, while I, as the counselor, sit in the passenger seat with the road map or GPS, providing guidance, support, and skills to help them reach their destination and goals.
In addition to structured interventions, I like to incorporate expressive modalities such as art therapy and sand tray therapy. These creative approaches offer clients an alternative to traditional talk therapy, enabling them to explore and express their thoughts and feelings in a way that often leads to deeper insights.
One aspect that sets me apart as a private practice therapist is my commitment to working with clients who may be considered “higher needs” or “more at risk,” including those struggling with suicidal ideation, self-harm, or other self-destructive behaviors. My personal and professional experiences have equipped me to approach these issues with sensitivity, care, and understanding. This commitment is also why I pursued specialized training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy, which is one of the most recognized evidence-based practices for effectively supporting clients facing these challenges.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
My training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) has profoundly deepened my understanding of mindfulness and nonjudgmental awareness, impacting both my personal life and my work with clients. While I have always strived to be nonjudgmental, DBT has pushed me to go beyond simply avoiding criticism. It emphasizes being consciously aware of the inferences and biases that can shape our perceptions and assumptions. This awareness is the foundation of true mindfulness—not just being present but approaching each moment with a nonjudgmental attitude and fully accepting circumstances without immediately trying to change them, even when they are challenging or uncomfortable. Embracing this mindset brings hope, as it allows us to find peace and strength in the present moment, no matter the difficulties we face.
Pricing:
- $150.00 for individual sessions
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.barnhillcounseling.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessica.mcduffee.therapy/
