Jessica Baker, LPC (License #76188)

There are times in our life when we struggle with power.  Power, as I know it, is simply the ability to have influence.  Prior to being a psychotherapist, I studied power dynamics, and the causes of conflict and resolution strategies.  In my early adult life, I spent time abroad in Russia, Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh, searching for answers to the right use of power from national politicians and citizens, and worked as a political consultant, helping progressive campaigns and politicians at all levels of government.  During this time I struggled with power, because my work and personal life were focused on having power over others, which led me on a personal journey to understand how to share power.  By grace, I found the best teachers to help me discover my true self and where I stand in the world.  On my journey I gained confidence in knowing what is true in me, learned how to ask others for feedback, and began to receive everything in my life with an open heart.  Through all of this, I have learned how my intentions do not always match the impact on others and how to properly make repair with others when this happens.  I learned to graciously welcome all that comes to me, and strongly believe that everything is a gift that helps me to reach my full potential on this planet.  My greatest desire is to help clients discover their own power and build confidence in using it with others. 

My education includes undergraduate work with distinction in Philosophy, and graduate studies in Political Science at the University of Colorado at Denver and Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Texas State University.  I have been professionally-trained and mentored in Hakomi Mindful Somatic Psychotherapy (HMSP), Internal Family Systems and various sex-oriented therapies. I am currently seeing clients at offices in San Marcos and Austin. 

I consider myself a mindfulness-body oriented therapist.  Some of my greatest influences include Jack Morin, Cedar Barstow, Marshall Rosenberg, Bill Plotkin, Ron Kurtz, Dick Schwartz, Eastern philosophies, and contemplative Christianity.  I live my life symbolically, with an open, yet fierce heart.

Professional Training:

• Comprehensive Training in HMSP (Hakomi Mindful Somatic Psychotherapy), Hakomi Institute Southwest

• Level 1, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Center for Self-Leadership

• Compassion for Addictive Process, Internal Family Systems

• Gestalt Sex Therapy

• Trauma Informed Approaches to Sexuality, American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists.

• Sex in and Out of Committed Relationships, American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists.

• Sexceptional Series Sexual Health Alliance