We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jessica Bloom-Welford. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jessica below.
Jessica , appreciate you joining us today. If you had a defining moment that you feel really changed the trajectory of your career, we’d love to hear the story and details.
For my internship I worked at a local domestic violence emergency shelter providing therapeutic services to those that have been harmed or negatively impacted by intimate partner violence. On my second week, there was a lethal incident of domestic violence where devastatingly family members were killed. This would become a defining moment in my career to work within the context of trauma and violence in hopes to find a way to continuously honor these lost lives Our clinical department was asked to provide crisis and grief support for those in the agency and community that had been impacted by this violence. I was and always will be guided by this tragic event in my dedication to provide safety, support, and healing to the community for those at risk or harmed by violence. I hope to always be part of the bravery of survivors in finding their healing and have dedicated my career to advancing my understanding, skills, and knowledge into the dynamics of trauma and domestic and sexual violence. I have also been gifted with seeing the “gold nuggets” of hope in courageous individuals and families who have survived and thrived reinforcing that growth, transformation and wellness can happen in our communities.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I am originally from the east coast, a Jersey girl, who moved to California, and yes, I took all those traits with me. My parents got it right when as kid and adolescencent and even into young adulthood, they had us engaging in community work- this could be at food banks, with the best buddies program, a women’s sexual assault center, GSA, and a variety of others. Our lives were grounded in service-orientated principles, compassion, and a strong desire to make a positive impact. This lead me into my career initially as a teacher. What I found as the most exhilarating and meaningful part of my day was during lunch, after school, during the group advising such as the Dance Club, in which I could connect with the students. This gave me the motivation to explore new ways to engage. At the same time as an SA survivor and pan woman, I had also found great meaning and purpose in continuing to work as a sexual assault advocate as well as ongoing activist for the rights for women and the LGBTQ+ communities. These experiences and values culminated in my desire to pursue my masters in counseling degree with a specialization in marriage and family therapy. I have since worked in a variety of settings including a domestic violence shelter, K-12 environments, in-home, community health and private practices. I started my private practice in hopes to continue to provide mental health services, consultation and supervision to my new community of Fresno. I provide therapy for individuals, families and couples. I also am an adjunct faculty at Fresno State and provide supervision and consultation to a variety of community agencies. My specializations include helping those impacted by domestic/sexual violence and traumatic stress, PTSD, depression, anxiety, perinatal and infant mental health, intimate partner relationship issues, sexuality, life adjustments/transitions, and affirming/social justice counseling, particularly for LGBTQ+ persons.
For my therapy clients I always go back to importance of the therapeutic relationship which grounds me in my work. There is this absolute sacred moment in therapy that happens usually right after I hear “I’ve never told anyone this before…” or “I’ve never been able to say this out loud to anyone…” It’s this vulnerable and courageous moment by the client in which the therapist is asked to compassionately both hear and hold their pains. In that moment, I believe this is where transformation begins for a client. I also believe that as humans we are in a constant state of evolvement and having support through some of those processes can be invaluable to finding one’s life purpose or meaning.
Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?
By far, the greatest secret, that isn’t a secret at all, that has been the most helpful towards my success is the group of individuals I am surrounded by that have encouraged, taught, held, empowered, “carefronted,” nutured, called out, leaned into me in unconditional ways.. I have so much gratitude for their mentorship and support and would not have been able to climb towards success without their guidance. These individuals have been my professors, supervisors, colleagues, friends, and family. It really is true that energy is contagious, and being around people that reflect who you want to be can help lead you towards great things. My intuitive advice to all my counselor education students has always been to develop relationships and connections, This is what makes longevity in the career. I’ve needed every cry I’ve had with these folks, as equally as every laugh. I’ve needed to be uplifted, and humbled. It is true that the group hype texts, of <fire emoji> and “I see you” and “Gurl, you a queen” propels success. I can’t thank enough these women, from the BBs and BATLs (NSFW group chat names), for everything you have done and do, Find your people, it propels you to heights you didn’t even know you could achieve, I know that’s true for me.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
The most significant lesson I have had to unlearn is that confrontation doesn’t always have to be confrontational. I grew up in a household with a New York born Business Executive and a New Jersey born Social Worker. Our family conversations were direct, efficient, intense, sometimes loud, but always seemed smart and beneficial towards growth or community activism. When I moved out to the west coast I was surprised, maybe even hurt, the first time I heard that I come across “cold” or “intimidating.” In the spirit of practicing humility, I wanted to grow and do better. I not only wanted to explore my inherent biases or privileges within myself and my business practice, but learn ways to counsel, teach, or lead in a way that reinforces my deep care for others. I wanted to explore the ways that I could include honesty, integrity, but also demonstrate the empathy I truly do hold in my heart for others. One of my professors and mentors in my graduate program introduced the term “carefrontational.” It has been a value that I have attempted to hold and practice in my various positions. To be “carefrontational” in my understanding is leading with compassion and nurturance in direct efforts to work collaboratively, with mutual respect, on difficult things, and in ways that promote enriched growth and change. This continues to be an ongoing lesson I intentionally evaluate. I hope to always continue to work towards incorporating and balancing carefrontation into practice with the needed assertiveness to dismantling social injustices while creating environments of openness to encourage vulnerable healing.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jessica-bloom-welford.clientsecure.me/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-bloom-7910a613a
- Other: https://www.findoctave.com/providers/jessica-bloom-welford-lmft/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=DSA-CA&utm_content=DSA-AdGroup-CA%7C664302939785&utm_term=&d=c&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwh4-wBhB3EiwAeJsppBnsUcKz3S-eL3HGiwgPtI6NReIN44W8g57KJrRrEg69Gb5XGtt8exoCJdsQAvD_BwE