Jess Ryan

LCMHC | (she/hers)

*Available for intensives and mini sessions *

Virtual & in-person (Durham office)

Welcome! I offer a warm, genuine and intentional environment for us to connect and collaborate. I utilize a whole-person approach rooted in somatic therapy, hypnotherapy, EMDR, parts work, sound and movement. My approach to trauma is guided by my love for music, dance and the creative arts, offering me a deep appreciation of the somatic body and direct witnessing of it’s innate capacity to heal. I am a naturally warm, open and curious person so I find the art and practice of therapy to be personally rewarding— I can show up authentically, connect with others and offer to support them in meaningful ways. I also have a somewhat insatiable desire to learn and have enjoyed extensive ongoing study in things like Polyvagal Theory of the Autonomic Nervous System (Dr. Stephen Porges) and it’s applications, Trauma-informed Hypnotherapy (Courtney Armstrong), EMDR-specific protocols for addressing traumatic loss (Dr. Graham Maxey and IADC protocol from the center for traumatic grief), Internal Family Systems-informed parts work, the Trauma Release Exercises (TRE) protocol and the application of sound in reorienting the body to safety (Safe and Sound Protocol and training in application of singing bowls and sound bath instruments). I have been teaching for 10 years in my community (currently you can catch me at Yoga Off East) and I have the honor of incorporating yoga and it’s philosophies into my sessions with aligned-clients.

You and I might work well together if trying to think differently about your problems has not worked for you or if talking through your emotions is not helping you to feel better overall. Maybe you have tried to understand your struggles by naming them, discovering their origin and even practicing all of the right skills, but you’re still anxious, disconnected, numb or repeating unhealthy patterns. I want you to know that there is nothing wrong with you. Some wounds simply imprint themselves in the body beyond the reach of insight or logic. We will work with the energy of your subtle body and nervous system to help you process, release and integrate stressful or traumatic experiences in the way that works best for you. We will gently reconnect with the parts of you that have been holding fear, tension, or old survival responses. Through practices like hypnotherapy, TRE, breathwork, mindfulness, bilateral stimulation (BLS), movement, sound and nervous-system attunement, we will help you slow down, listen inward, and begin to soften the places that have been bracing and holding. When we stop pushing and create an environment of presence, compassion and connection the body will feel safe to initiate the natural process of letting go. It is from this foundation of groundedness within yourself that we will build new patterns, emotion pathways, relationships and beliefs. You have been whole all along and I hope to reconnect you to this truth if we work together.

I also have a specialization in trauma intensives and mini sessions (extended, deeper, intensive work on trauma themes at less regular intervals than traditional therapy models). You can learn more about those offerings and get in touch with me if you have any questions by clicking on the ‘Explore NCC’ tab in the navigation menu and clicking on ‘trauma intensives’ and ‘mini sessions’.

When not engaging in therapeutic work you can find me spending time with friends and family, hiking, birding, dancing, playing music or attending music/arts events in the community!