About Me
Jessica Barreto, MA, LMHC
Step into your power and true potential & begin to ignite transformation.
I am passionate about helping children, teens, parents, and adults who are going through struggles. I love working with individuals to help them develop healthy minds, improve choices, build deep and meaningful relationships, and fully thrive!
Hi there!
My name is Jessica Barreto. I know my last name is super hard and a bit of a tongue roller, so just call me Jessica or Jess.
I have always had a special inclination to work with individuals to empower them to find healthier ways to cope with issues, become resilient, and cultivate a growth mindset
How did it all start
Through my own experience, I learned that mental health is a vital part of life. It impacts how we feel, think, and behave each day. Our mental health also contributes to our decision-making process, how we cope with stress and problems, adapt to changes, and how we relate to others in our lives. It affects activities in our work, school, or even caregiving.
As a young adult, I didn’t know how to effectively handle my emotions or assist my daughter with her emotions. It was a very challenging time not only for me but also for her and my family.
In the early years of my parenting, I wonder when the terrible twos will end, seem like this stage will last forever…. In fact, it felt like my family went through terrible 2’s, 3’s, 4s, and so on. As years passed I felt more defeated, tired, and depressed.
I felt something was not right, and I went through a process of researching, reading, watching, and listening to every piece of advice I could find to be able to ‘FIX’ my life. At times felt that I might be exaggerating and that I was worried for no reason, that I was living a NORMAL LIFE. But as time went on, things were only more difficult.
I often felt tired and hopeless, thinking about everything I have tried to uplift my mood and be a better parent, and nothing worked. It was an extremely frustrating experience for me.
Now looking back, trying to find healthy ways to deal with my emotional struggles, insecurities, and parenting challenges lead me on a journey of discovery. I learned about the power of the mind, how to better control emotions and behaviors, and be a better loving parent.
Almost losing it, correction ‘losing it’, turned out to be a gift in disguise as from there I went back to school to learn about psychology. And with everything, school, personal experience, and curiosity, I found a way to calm myself and my daughter and learn to see the world differently.
How I follow my passion
I know many individuals might struggle with something similar, and I want to walk alongside them in their journey. I don’t expect that their struggles will look the same as mine, but I know how important is to have someone on their side.
I want people to know that there is no shame in not knowing how to deal with depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, negative thinking, even your children’s behavioral or emotional problems, or just life struggles in general.
It is important to remember that life doesn't come with instructions on how to live, but therapy can help.
How I can help
The path to transformation is not easy, it requires self-awareness, willingness to accept and change, including un-learning and re-learning new things, and building new habits and behaviors. I would be honored to be with you or your family on this journey. I provide insight, strategies, and empowerment to help individuals move toward living their absolute best life ever.