About Me
Hi there- My name is Jessica Burstein and I want to commend you on taking the first steps in reaching out for support. It can be extremely overwhelming to seek therapy and yet here you are, pushing forward, looking for what you need. Well done.
In finding a therapist, you will need to search through a long list of names and related bios. While the bios capture clinical background and experience, all of which are important, they generally don’t help you find someone who is a good fit for you personally. Without that, it is difficult to determine if a positive therapeutic relationship can be developed and fostered. To know if you have found that ‘right’ fit usually takes a first few sessions. I’d like to give you a little more information, so you will have better insight and control in deciding if this could be a good fit for you.
As far as my therapeutic “style”, I take a collaborative approach. I will often say ‘you are the one driving’. I am in the passenger seat offering guidance and support along the way. This is your life and being able to make decisions that are best for you, is critical in building trust in oneself. I am compassionate, empathetic, honest and direct. I am not someone who just tells you things you want to hear. I am always open to feedback and will encourage you to be transparent if there is something more or less you need. Remember, this is your session.
My therapeutic approach is trauma focused. Typically, one seeks therapy due to a presenting problem. It might be stress at work, difficulty within a particular relationship, or dealing with past trauma that shows up daily. We will discuss coping skills, which are critical. However, coping skills can only help so much. There are always deeper roots to things seen on the surface. For instance, you might come in struggling with poor self-esteem. We can focus on identifying positive affirmations and shifting negative thinking, which would be helpful. However, it is just as important to explore where this poor view of yourself stems from. Exploring those layers and past experiences, will allow us to process things that you might not have been able to do previously. In doing so, you might find that those present day issues can subside and be managed in a sustainable way.
I hope this information has given you more insight about me and a better understanding of what to expect when you meet with me. Whether this is something you pursue or not, do not forget the strength you possess to have even come this far. There is no right or wrong path, just the route you take. Keep driving.
Why Balanced Connections, PLLC?
Balance is a word that is often used, but can be challenging to define in practice. When thinking of ‘balance’, ‘moderation’ tends to come to mind. While moderation is needed to have balance, the attainment of both moderation and balance in our emotional state is crucial in moving through life and all its challenges.
To better explain, imagine the opening and closing of a window. Opening the window allows you to feel the wind, i.e., your emotions. Closing the window is when we get too chilly, and determine it is best to shut the wind out, to change how our current state feels. It is important to open your window, allowing yourself to feel your feelings, release them and sit in that space to explore and better understand those emotions. At the same time, the act of ‘closing’ our window in a safe and healthy way is just as important. This is where we use healthy coping skills to manage the intensity of these emotions, to give our mind and body a much needed break through different practices. Learning the rhythm and dance between opening and closing our emotional window, is a skill that needs to be practiced and strengthened over time. That way, there is an opportunity to connect with what is arising within us in a safe and healthy way.
This is my philosophy on how to best connect and cope with our struggles. And, in doing so, connect more deeply with all aspects of ourselves.
This is why I chose ‘Balanced Connections’ for the name of this practice.