Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jessica Hardial. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Jessica thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with 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.

I was born in Brooklyn, NY, but I call Queens, NY my home. I am a proud Queer Latina. I am a bilingual clinical social worker (English & Spanish) who has over ten years of social work experience in different capacities. My experiences range from working in a family homeless shelter, foster care settings, school settings, clinic settings and more. When I was in my early 20’s I was working as a case planner at a foster care agency, when I first felt a microaggression. We were at a family team conference where the child, her mother, the parent’s advocate, my direct supervisor and the director of the agency sat. The child refused parent-child visits and I advocated for her. The child’s parent was furious I didn’t force the visits and requested a case planner change at the meeting. Without hesitation, the agency director replied “We don’t have any other Spanish speaking case planners. You know how hard it is for Spanish folks to have a college degree since they usually drop out of school and have a bunch of kids”. The room was silent. I was shocked. I have never felt so frozen.

After that experience, I became hyper aware of comments made around me. As a queer Latina, I found it difficult feeling safe in my work environments. Throughout my experiences, I dreamed of opening a private practice where I could provide a safe space. I am the founder and Chief Clinical Director of Blossoming Lotus Therapy LCSW PLLC. I founded this practice to help BIPOC & Queer folx find a space to be seen and heard. My specialities include working with non-monogamous folx, LGBTQIA+ folx and BIPOC folx. I provide a client centered, direct approach. I provide support and guidance to individuals and families on their journey to self-healing. I provide surgery support letters to help you become your most authentic self. I supervise pre-licensed clinicians in providing LGBTQIA+ affirming care. I work hard to empower my communities and help them heal from traumatic experiences caused by others. I specialize in issues surrounding trauma (sexual trauma & childhood trauma), and family conflict using a somatic-oriented approach. My experience enables me to offer effective outpatient, individualized service.

I have co-authored in two books (Latinx in Social Work & Latinx en el area de Trabajo Social). I share my experience as an adult of immigrants and my journey to becoming a social worker. Currently, I serve as the NASW-NYC Chair of SOGIE Collective (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity & Expression) to assist social workers in providing equitable, LGBTQIA+ affirming services and resources to enhance their scope of practice.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

As someone who experienced childhood trauma, I knew I wanted to be in a helping profession. As a clinical social worker who offers psychotherapy, I utilize a variety of approaches. The clients I primarily work with are a part of the LGBTQIA+ community, people of color and those who have experienced trauma (specifically sexual trauma). I work with children who identify a part of the LGBTQIA+ community, parents of children a part of the LGBTQIA+ community who need support and children of parents who identify within the LGBTQIA+ community. Doing this work is fulfilling to me because LGBTQIA+ folks have the highest risk factors for suicidality. I am proud of the clinician and woman I have become. I am proud to offer a safe space for my clients and staff to feel seen. I am proud to be a Queer Latina who lives authentically and allows others to live in their truth safely. Blossoming Lotus Therapy’s mission is that despite the muddy surroundings and dirtiest waters, the Lotus produces the most beautiful flower. Blossoming Lotus Therapy was founded as a safe space for BIPOC & Queer folx to feel seen by finding peace and healing while blossoming into their best selves. I love what the Lotus flower represents and seeing individuals as lotus flowers that continue to blossom is my calling.

Any advice for managing a team?

Managing a team can be challenging in different ways. My advice for managing a team is invest in a good administrative team, build those relationships with your administrative staff. Be firm and direct with all employees about expectations. Don’t be afraid to make changes that will benefit the organization. Hire folks who understand change will happen. Be prepared to teach employees how to be responsible and handle client lives. From my experience, working with pre-licensed clinicians has shown that many of them have just entered the field. Patience is necessary to teach and mentor clinicians in their professional careers as they learn professionalism, language, etiquette and communication.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

Having a great administrative team. We have weekly administrative meetings and they feel included in the decision making. My administrative team has helped with marketing and sustaining client relationships.

Contact Info:

• Website: blossominglotustherapy.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/blossominglotustherapy
• Facebook: www.facebook.om/blossominglotustherapy
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-hardial-ma-lcsw-ph-d-c-0aa53a46
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@blossoming.lotus.therapy

Image Credits
Tatianna Angel