Jessica Riesen, MA, LPC, CCTP

Trauma Psychotherapist

You want to feel close to others, but trusting people, much less yourself, feels impossible. You crave connection and want to be seen, yet you’re not sure what that would even look like. Feeling unseen and alone can be so painful that it leaves you wondering if things can ever change. The hopelessness that follows can be heavy, leaving you unsure of where to start and how to begin healing. You’re not alone in this. Many people who have lived through trauma feel the same way — uncertain where to begin, but ready for something different.

The truth is, being human is hard. Therapy can be deeply healing, rewarding, and life-changing. Together, we’ll explore how your experiences have shaped you, what keeps you stuck, and how you can move toward a life that feels more aligned with your values and your true self.

Together, we will give a voice to those overwhelming emotions and meet them with compassion so we can support in their transformation. Whether it’s dismantling negative thoughts, bringing gentleness to uncomfortable body sensations, or decoding confusing relationship dynamics we will approach our work together with curiosity and openness. With this awareness, we can find the best strategies for your transformation. That means I will bring tools that help you cope, challenge stuck points or patterns, connect to your values, and heal trauma. I am also a big believer in understanding how the larger world impacts you, so I also invite in Feminist theory and fat acceptance into our work to understand yourself more deeply.

As a therapist, I show up with humor, compassion, and a genuine, nonjudgmental presence. I believe therapy should feel like a real conversation—not a performance. I’ll meet you where you are, whether that’s laughing through the pain or gently sitting with the parts of yourself that feel hardest to face.

Your body, identity, and lived experiences aren’t problems to fix—they’re sources of wisdom and strength. Therapy with me isn’t about “fixing” you; it’s about creating space for all of who you are and who you’re becoming. Expect warmth, laughter, and a therapist who’s not afraid to be human right alongside you.

Some of my favorite books include “The Body is Not an Apology: The Power of Radical Self-Love” by Sonya Renee Taylor, “Ace” by Angela Chen, and “Dietland” by Sarai Walker. Additionally, my most recommended podcasts are “Unsolicited: Fatties Talk Back” and “You’re Wrong About”.

Core beliefs

  • All bodies are good bodies 

  • Laughter and finding joy in the pain of life is hard and highly important

  • Healing can take time and is possible for everyone

Jess Riesen (she/her), MA, LPC, and CCTP received her master’s in clinical mental health counseling from Adler University in Chicago. Additionally, she received her bachelor’s from Miami University in Psychology with a minor in Crime, Law, and Social Justice. Jess is also a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional. Jess has a history of working in community mental health with the unhoused population, rape crisis advocacy, and partial hospitalization program (PHP)/Intensive outpatient program (IOP). At the PHP/IOP level of care, Jess worked with clients with diverse backgrounds including: anxiety/anxiety disorders, depression/mood disorders, Trauma/PTSD, body image struggles, neurodiverse individuals, folks with a history of eating disorders, LGBTQ+ folks, and folks who identify as fat or are in a larger body. Jess has a passion for social justice including disability advocacy, anti-oppression, fat liberation, and unpacking how social norms impact our day-to-day lives. Jess utilizes ACT, CBT, DBT, IFS, and mindfulness-based approaches in her individual work. In her free time, Jess enjoys hanging out with one of her cats, doing yoga, playing video games like Stardew Valley or Spirirfarer, or reading the latest romantesy novel.

Populations Served: Adults of All Ages

Areas of Interest and Expertise:

  • Anxiety

  • Depression

  • Trauma, PTSD, and Complex Trauma

  • Attachment Issues

  • Assertiveness Skills/Boundaries

  • People Pleasing/Codependency

  • Relationship Issues

  • Body Neutrality

  • Face Acceptance

  • Healthy at Every Size (HAES)

  • Self-Worth

  • Compassion

  • LGBTQIA+

  • Suicidality

  • Neurodiversity

  • Stress management

 
 
Jessica Riesen, MA, LPC, Trauma Therapist
 

Insurances Accepted
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Blue Care Network
Aetna

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