Psychotherapist Jasmine Villalba, LAC

Hi there! My name is Jasmine Villalba. I am a (LAC) Licensed Associate Counselor and (NCC) National Certified Counselor. In 2016, I received my Masters in Counselor Education from The College of New Jersey, with concentrations in School Counseling and Student Assistance Coordination. Shortly after, I was an intake counselor at a local mental health agency where I would assess clients and provide them with the appropriate level of care based on their needs and symptoms. I later returned to TCNJ to pursue Clinical Mental Health Counseling so I could obtain my LAC and begin providing therapy. Prior to joining the team with Mind Your Mind, I was a bilingual School Counselor to elementary-aged students facing challenges with self-regulation, anxiety, behavioral concerns, and academic challenges. Currently, I am a Social Worker for Adult Protective Services, where I investigate and intervene in suspected cases of abuse, neglect, and/or financial exploitation. As your therapist, I am passionate about helping individuals living with mental illness or co-occurring disorders find meaning and purpose in their lives. My goal is to help individuals learn how to advocate for themselves and build resilience, especially when we may face adversity in our lives. I utilize a "person-centered" therapeutic approach developed by psychologist Carl Rogers (Rogerian Psychotherapy), where the therapist lets the client lead. The primary role of a person-centered therapist is to understand the client's point of view (empathy), being genuine (congruence), and being non-

judgmental. My goal is to ultimately help individuals feel empowered to make positive changes in their lives by focusing on increasing self-awareness, improving decision-making skills, building self-esteem, and managing symptoms. I look forward to working with you and helping guide you to the next chapter in improving your wellness and your overall life.