We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jessica Straughn a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Jessica, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about how you went about setting up your own practice and if you have any advice for professionals who might be considering starting their own?

I’ve always believed that quality mental health care should be as compassionate, person-centered, and accessible as possible. Working in government agencies and community mental health settings, however, made me realize how often these environments limit both providers and clients. The high caseloads, restrictive policies, and misalignment with my personal values eventually took a toll on my well-being. I witnessed firsthand the sacrifices that both clients and therapists were forced to make—sacrifices that conflicted with the holistic, caring approach I wanted to offer. These experiences were the driving force behind my decision to establish a single-provider practice, Supportive Counseling LLC.

When I made the leap to start my own practice, I was caught between excitement and uncertainty. One of my earliest steps was clarifying the vision and values that would guide Supportive Counseling. I wanted to create a space where clients felt genuinely supported and I could work without the overwhelming pressures I had encountered in my previous roles. Researching state regulations, delving into electronic health record systems, and forming a legal entity were all essential tasks. Financial planning, in particular, was critical; carefully budgeting and building my savings helped offset the anxiety of stepping away from a steady paycheck.

The challenges were significant but illuminating. Transitioning from stable employment to building something entirely new meant shouldering financial uncertainty. I quickly realized that running a solo practice also meant wearing multiple hats—clinician, bookkeeper, marketer, and tech support. Learning to balance these responsibilities taught me the importance of pacing myself and setting realistic goals to avoid burnout.

I’m often asked what I would change if I could do it all again, and the truth is, I wouldn’t change a thing. Each struggle, misstep, and triumph taught me lessons that are invaluable for both my professional and personal growth. Every hurdle forced me to adapt, become more resourceful, and truly invest in my own well-being—lessons that shape the way I show up for my clients today.

For anyone considering a private practice, my biggest piece of advice is to get crystal clear on what matters most to you before diving in. This clarity will guide decisions about everything from the populations you serve to how many clients you see each week. It’s also vital to learn the business side of the work—paperwork, licensing, and finances can feel daunting, but mastering these areas allows you to shape a practice aligned with your values. And through it all, never forget your own well-being; self-care is essential if you want to offer your clients the best version of yourself. Ultimately, founding Supportive Counseling LLC was a leap of faith, but it allowed me to unify my passion for mental health and my core ethics in a way that just wasn’t possible in a traditional agency setting—and I wouldn’t trade the lessons I’ve learned for anything.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m Jessica Straughn, and I’m the founder, owner, and sole therapist at Supportive Counseling, LLC. I’ve dedicated my career to helping individuals navigate anxiety, depression, and trauma-related challenges, and my passion for mental health care began long before I ever sat down with my first client. Early in my journey, I worked as a Victim Specialist at the University of Central Florida Police Department and the 9th Judicial State Attorney’s Office, supporting people impacted by crime and trauma. Those roles gave me the opportunity to see just how powerful a supportive, empathetic presence can be during life’s darkest moments. While I eventually moved into private practice to focus on one-on-one therapy, the lessons and insights I gained from working with crime victims and survivors of domestic violence continue to guide how I approach counseling today.

Through my practice, Supportive Counseling, LLC, I’m proud to offer individualized, trauma-informed therapy that meets people where they are. I primarily use a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) approach but incorporate other modalities—including person-centered techniques and Narrative Therapy—to ensure my clients receive support tailored to their unique needs and experiences. Whether someone is struggling with anxiety, navigating the aftermath of a traumatic event, or simply seeking personal growth, my goal is to be a trustworthy companion on the path to healing and self-discovery. Having extensive knowledge of the criminal justice system, Title IX processes, and protection orders means I can also help clients who need both therapeutic support and practical guidance when their challenges intersect with legal or institutional frameworks.

I think what sets my practice apart is that it’s both deeply empathetic and highly personalized. As a single-person agency, I’m able to maintain a close, genuine connection with every client, free from the bureaucratic constraints often found in larger organizations. My background as a Victim Specialist, Domestic Violence Advocate, and Mental Health Counselor in various settings has taught me the value of truly listening to people’s stories and meeting them with compassion, no matter how complex their circumstances. I strive to help clients develop coping strategies, resilience, and a sense of empowerment that extends beyond our sessions and into all areas of their lives.

One of the things I’m most proud of is creating a space where people feel not just safe, but seen and understood. Every achievement—big or small—that my clients make in therapy is something I cherish, because it represents a step toward living with greater peace and self-confidence. I want prospective clients and readers to know that at Supportive Counseling, you’ll find a practitioner who genuinely cares about your story, your well-being, and your growth. Mental health is a journey that looks different for everyone, and I’m here to offer support, expertise, and empathy at every step.

Above all, I want you to know that you don’t have to walk your path alone. Whether you’re seeking counseling to manage ongoing mental health concerns or hoping to find clarity after a difficult life event, my door—whether virtual or in-person—is open. I invite anyone who’s curious about my services to reach out, ask questions, and see if what I offer resonates with their needs. My hope is that through genuine connection and evidence-based approaches, we can work together to pave the way to a healthier and more fulfilling life.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I vividly remember the day the Pulse tragedy took place. I was still relatively early in my career and had no formal mass casualty training. Yet when the call came to support survivors and the families who had lost loved ones, I didn’t hesitate to be there. That day was a stark introduction to just how overwhelming human suffering can be. I had to compartmentalize my own shock and fear in order to remain fully present for people experiencing unimaginable grief. Over the years, I’ve realized that this willingness to “show up, no matter what” can be a double-edged sword—it’s what makes us effective in this work, but it also sets the stage for burnout if we don’t attend to our own emotional well-being.

Spending over a decade working with trauma survivors has highlighted the risks of bearing witness to people’s most painful experiences. Hearing story after story of violence, tragedy, and loss can begin to chip away at your sense of safety and empathy if you aren’t actively protecting your mental health. Early in my career, I often found myself overworked, underpaid, and lacking the specialized training I truly needed. It was easy to take on endless hours, and I pushed myself to be available to clients around the clock. What I didn’t realize at the time was the harm I risked doing not just to myself, but also to my clients. Exhaustion and compassion fatigue can cloud your judgment and diminish the quality of care you provide.

It took encountering my own burnout—and seeking supervision, specialized training, and personal therapy—to understand that the best way to help others is to ensure you’re well enough to do so. When we neglect self-care, we’re depriving clients of the thoughtful, empathetic attention they deserve, and we’re denying ourselves the chance to sustain this work long-term. The impact we have on clients can be profound; our presence and guidance can significantly influence their healing journeys. But that influence can only be positive if we’re committed to our own resilience. By prioritizing rest, boundaries, and ongoing learning, I’ve found that it’s possible to offer genuine empathy and expertise without sacrificing my mental health. It’s a lesson learned through challenging experiences, and one that now forms the foundation of my approach as both a clinician and an advocate for those who’ve endured trauma.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Early on in my career, I dreamed of becoming a therapist but kept doubting whether I really had what it took. Looking back, I think my own insecurities and lack of self-confidence got in the way of me pursuing that path straight out of undergrad. Instead, I found myself doing victim advocacy work—which turned out to be deeply rewarding in its own right. I got to stand alongside people in some of their hardest moments, helping them navigate immediate crises and the practical aspects of their healing. But as I continued in that role, I realized I wanted to go even further in supporting their emotional well-being. I wanted to be able to provide more than just short-term stabilization; I wanted to offer a deeper level of healing, something that often requires the clinical skill set of a trained therapist.

That realization marked a major pivot point in my life. I had spent more than four years in victim advocacy by then, and the idea of juggling a new career path while working full-time felt daunting. Still, I knew I had to take the leap if I was ever going to step into the therapist role that had been calling me for so long. I signed up for the GRE, took night classes, and eventually made it into graduate school. It meant long days on call as a crisis advocate, followed by late nights of studying and writing papers. It wasn’t easy, but I grew a lot in my self-trust during that time. My passion for counseling and my desire to serve clients at a deeper therapeutic level pushed me through every challenge, and I ended up finishing grad school with straight A’s.

Looking back, I’m grateful for the years I spent as a victim advocate. They helped me develop the empathy, resilience, and crisis management skills that I still use as a clinician. But I’m also grateful I found the courage to trust myself and pursue the dream I’d initially put on hold. That pivot not only led me to become a therapist but also eventually inspired me to start my own practice, where I can finally integrate everything I’ve learned about trauma, healing, and resilience.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.supportivecounselingllc.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/supportive_counseling_llc/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/supportivecounselingllc
• Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-straughn-lmhc-ncc-cctp
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SupportiveCounselingLLC