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About Us |
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Jessica Gilstrap, MA,
LMHC
Licensed Mental Health Counselor MH7186
Biographical Information
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Jessica
Gilstrap is a life-long resident of Orlando, and has been counseling
adults and teenagers in the area for the past 12 years. She
grew up attending First Baptist Church of Orlando and has worked
with many of the youth through the years. She
attended college at Palm Beach Atlantic University and received a
Batchelor of Science degree with a major in Psychology. She went
on to receive her master’s degree in Counseling from Reformed
Theological Seminary and completed her internship at Northland
Community Church in Orlando, Florida. She is president of Heartspoken Counseling Inc.,
and co-founder of Gilstrap & Napolitano, Counseling & Psychiatry.
Jessica
is passionate about working with teenagers and families, having
worked with families experiencing abuse, neglect, defiance, and
conflict within the home. She also enjoys and has quite a bit of
experience in working with clients dealing with sexual, physical and
emotional abuse, anxiety disorders, and body image issues.
Jessica’s experience includes eight years at the House of Hope, a
residential treatment center for abused, neglected, and runaway boys
and girls. She has co-authored with Sara Trollinger,
Guidance Resource Manual for Counseling
as well as making a significant contribution to the book
Unglued and Tattooed
by Sara Trollinger, (LifeLine Press) 2001. Most recently,
Jessica has assisted Sara Trollinger in writing her newest book
Advanced Triage Counseling (HigherLife Press, 2007).
Jessica's work and
experience have also given her opportunities to speak to parents and
teachers at area schools, as well as working with groups of
students. She has lead both parent and student groups at The
First Academy.
Jessica believes that outside of the healing power of Jesus Christ
that individuals and counselors can not find TRUE healing and
wholeness. Counseling “techniques” are important and necessary, but
if there is not a recognition and focus on the Lord and His hand in
our
healing, she believes we are just putting band-aids on open wounds.
Jessica’s approach to counseling emphasizes coming alongside the
client, endeavoring to walk with them through their hurt and pain.
She employs an eclectic approach, because each person is unique and
has different needs. Her passion lies in working with children,
adolescents, and their families to work together and move toward
healing and wholeness as individuals as well as families. Jessica
belongs to the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC).
She has been trained by a National Guard approved trainee to be a
Trained Crisis Responder (TCR). Jessica is a Qualified Supervisor
for the state of Florida and
enjoys working with interns who have a desire to work with
adolescents and their families.
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