Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Sohns.
Hi Jessica, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
We are all walking testimonies of our lived experiences, walking libraries of stories about courage, grit, grief, hope, loneliness, pain, joy, relationships, loss…the list goes on and on. If you checked into my “library”, here’s a glimpse of what you may read about.
From birth I have experienced a number of medical traumas, learning difficulties, and physical limitations. A lot of my childhood was spent in hospitals, doctor visits, physical therapy, play therapy, and other types of therapy. While many of these events and seasons felt like an uphill battle, I wouldn’t be who/where I am today without them, and my faithful friend Jesus Christ who walked with me through all of it.
While He didn’t and often still doesn’t give me answers about why He allowed these struggles, as I walk alongside my very brave and amazing clients, I’m starting to see the fulfillment of Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose.”
My story and my experiences have prepared and propelled me into a career that serves and supports others through their own hard stories. I feel so honored being able to walk alongside children and families as they navigate the unexpected, whether that is behavior concerns, changes in emotions, unexpected medical events, challenges surrounding chronic medical needs/neurodiversity, challenges in school, or changes in family dynamics.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Oh! It’s not been smooth at all. Think about that ice cream, rocky road? That’s been my journey. School was a huge struggle for me. I had some learning difficulties and also, without my hearing aids, am considered functionally deaf by the state of Texas. While I was in advanced courses in some areas throughout elementary and high school, I still struggled greatly with the social/emotional/physical demands that are required of students to juggle in addition to academics (while still working through medical stuff). Finishing my Bachelor’s degree in 2019 was nothing short of a miracle, as I needed a major surgery during my last term that was both physically and emotionally costly. I barely passed, and was uncertain of my next steps. With some encouragement from my mom (who is also a therapist in the same building I’m in!) and some friends, I applied to and was accepted into a Marriage, Couples, and Family Counseling Master’s program, (focused on Licensed Professional Counselor licensure and not Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist licensure) while working a full time job as a pre-k paraprofessional, and graduated my Master’s program with a 4.0 GPA. In the following months I took my National Counseling Examination, received my Associate’s license, started with a group practice (so thankful for the experience!), left the group practice and started my own private practice in 2023.
I couldn’t have done this without my faith, my dear, hardworking husband, Ben, and my family.
As you know, we’re big fans of Grace Institute Family Therapy. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I am a Christian based Child and Family Therapist located in a charming office space in Old Town Spring. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate, which means I’m still under supervision as I complete my clinical hours (I’m so close to completing, hoping to be done in the next few months!) My amazing supervisor is Jennifer J. Cain, LPC-S, RPT-S.
I provide individual counseling services, play therapy, parent consultations/workshops, groups for preteens/teens, student school support/student observations upon request, and Animal Assisted Counseling. I specialize in Play Therapy and Animal Assisted Counseling. I have a lot of people ask about Animal Assisted Counseling and how I trained River, but while I might touch a little on that here, I want to talk about my heart behind the decision to specialize in this modality. Growing up neurodivergent and with medically complex issues was at times an isolating experience, especially when I was younger. I remember so badly wanting to talk about what I’d gone through with my peers, but no one seemed to have the same experiences. I would come home and be greeted by the most lovely being with four paws and a wet nose, my first dog, Baby. I could talk to her about anything and everything, and cry into her fur. She made such an impact on my life that I knew I wanted a career with animals and somehow I’d find a way to help people (maybe kids like me who had similar experiences) with that too. Starting with Freud and his dog Jofi, humans have partnered with animals therapeutically for decades, and more and more research is emerging on the benefits of these interactions.
River (my canine co-therapist) and I went through and passed the Canine Good Citizen test (check out AKC website for skills needed for this) and then after were trained in Animal Assisted Counseling, Animal Assisted Counseling in Play Therapy, and Animal Assisted School Counseling through Texas State’s Animal Assisted Counseling Academy, an immersive and intensive training program designed to teach clinicians how to incorporate a thoroughly vetted and trained therapy animal into interactions with clients, specifically tailored to assist in helping clients that may benefit from the addition of a therapy animal reach their therapeutic goals. Yes, I have a dog that really went to college and graduated! (see the pic of us on our website with her official mortarboard graduation cap!)
I sometimes say that River already knows what to do, the program/training was really about training me on how to work with her and incorporate her into our sessions. I also am trained in Play Therapy, and working towards my Registered Play Therapist licensure. Play Therapy is also a large part of what I do and how I support my clients. I think I gravitated towards Play Therapy as a primary modality because really, that’s what helped me so much when I was younger and going through so many different things medically. The power of play and the power of presence creates a safe space to tell and explore experiences and stories that might feel too big for words.
And again, I couldn’t do all of this without Jesus. I am so incredibly thankful and grateful to how He’s working in me and through me.
How do you think about luck?
I don’t really believe in luck. I believe that in life, we are all subject to different things, and it is how we respond that can determine the outcome (internal/external, or both).
I believe that kindness, curiosity, respect, tenacity, and being a life-long learner can take you really far. Networking, connecting, and serving with others doesn’t hurt either. I believe that prayer is powerful. Period.
Pricing:
- At the moment, I charge on the lower end of therapy services at $75 per session. I decided on this price for now to offer wider availability to quality counseling.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://graceinstitutefamilytherapy.com/
- Instagram: @graceinstitutefamilytherapy
- Facebook: Grace Institute Family Therapy
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/9mUTU4ZBS0E
