JESSICA ASCH, MA,LCAT,RDT

As a Licensed Creative Arts Therapist (LCAT) and a Registered Drama Therapist (RDT), Jessica believes that creativity is essential to the journey towards self-discovery and transformation. Through the lens of story, role, and metaphor she explores and examines patterns and habits that may no longer be working, while highlighting the parts of self that are adaptive. She specializes in the effects of trauma, depression, anxiety, women who battle feelings of loneliness, relationship issues, and adolescents/young adults who’s self-esteem has been impacted by learning challenges and other life obstacles.

She works from a strength based, holistic approach which integrates creative arts therapy, mindfulness, psychodynamic therapy, acceptance commitment therapy and cognitive behavioral tools/strategies. She strives to meet every individual with curiosity, creativity, and warmth. Fostering a therapeutic relationship is vital to the process of psychotherapy and something she deeply values.

Guiding people through exploring, transforming, and creating, their authentic self is the work she cares deeply about. Additionally, helping people tolerate discomfort and find self acceptance is also part of her practice.

In the summer of 2018, Jessica was the lead Arts Therapist for Camp Shine, a healing through the Arts Initiative facilitated by ShineMSD, a non-profit organization created in response to the school shooting at Marjory Douglas Stoneman High School in Parkland, Fl. Jessica managed the multi-faceted and therapeutic Arts programming which included Drama Therapy, Music Therapy and Songwriting/Recording and Art Therapy. In addition to serving as a Drama Therapist, she was the liaison between the board of ShineMSD, parents and the greater Parkland community to foster awareness, sensitivity and healing within the students and those affected by this tragedy.

Jessica is a licensed Creative Arts Therapist (LCAT) and a Registered Drama Therapist (RDT). She holds a BFA in Acting and an MA in Drama Therapy from New York University. Jessica has worked in a variety of settings helping individuals with developmental disabilities, veterans struggling with complex PTSD, Holocaust survivors, adolescents in the juvenile justice system, adults struggling with substance abuse, and individuals living with chronic mental illness.

She is a member of the North American Drama Therapy Association (NADTA) and has also presented her work on Learning Differences at the 2015 NADTA conference . Her work with Holocaust Survivors and adolescents was presented at the 2017 NADTA conference and was featured in the 2016 Trauma Informed Care Conference for the work she does in therapeutic theatre for the program, Witness Theatre.