ABOUT LOVING PRESENCE THERAPY
Loving Presence Therapy specializes in holistic wellness and is currently offering in-person psychotherapy services in Norwalk, CT, and telehealth psychotherapy services for those residing in CT and NY.
Loving Presence Therapy’s mission is to provide holistic wellness services to help people live in alignment with a thriving mind, body, and spirit.
loving presence therapy
about
Jessica O. Riocci, LMFT
Psychotherapist, Spiritual Seeker, & Reiki Master
My Experience
I’ve worked in the mental health field in a wide variety of settings. These experiences gave me the privilege and honor of learning from and serving a wide variety of people from all walks of life. It also gave me an inside view of the mental health system and what the Western medical system has to offer us when we are suffering the most and at our most vulnerable. I seek to apply all of my experience, training, accumulated wisdom about life and the human condition, and knowledge of the ins and outs of the mental health system at large in my private practice so I can best serve my clients.
I’ve served as a Marriage and Family Therapist in…
- a state agency working with young adults and their families transitioning out of DCF care
- a group private practice helping children, adolescents, and their families
- a private residential mental health treatment facility to help high-risk adolescents
- a Mental Health Intensive Outpatient Program for 11-18 year olds
- a Mental Health Partial Hospitalization Program for 11-18 year olds
I’ve also gained real-world experience in the mental health field through positions other than a Marriage and Family Therapist:
- I served as a Residential Counselor for adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities
- I volunteered as a Sexual Assault Crisis Advocate for a Sexual Assault hotline
- I led empowerment classes for elementary school children to prevent child abuse and be there for disclosures
- I worked as a field instructor in a Wilderness Therapy Program
- I volunteered at a therapeutic school for children with special needs
- I volunteered at a homeless shelter for women and their children
My Training
I am currently being trained and mentored by Rachelle Garcia Seliga and Silvia Urbani for 9 months as part of INNATE Postpartum Care Certificate training.
I’ve received advanced training in the treatment of Perinatal Mood Disorders by Postpartum Support International (PSI) and am in the process of becoming a Perinatal Mental Health Specialist.
I received my Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy from Fairfield University.
I received my Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Marketing from Fordham University.
My Credentials
I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of Connecticut. My license number is 2771.
I am also a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of New York. My license number is 001915.
Tele-health
Tele-health psychotherapy appointments are available for those located in Connecticut and New York
In-Person
Address:
101 Merritt 7
Suite 300
Norwalk, Connecticut 06851
In-person psychotherapy appointments are available in Norwalk, Connecticut
Reach Out
Jessica@lovingpresencetherapy.com
Feel free to call, text or email to schedule a free 15 minute phone consultation
My Approach
Loving Presence
Loving presence is the embodiment of unconditional love and mindfulness. Loving presence is what I strive to embody in sessions with my clients. It is my role to create the container/the environment where self-healing and repair can occur for the client. Loving presence is also what I help clients tap into as they gain awareness of limiting beliefs and maladaptive patterns while remaining non-judgmental and compassionate towards themselves and each other. Loving presence is a therapy technique, healing energy in the therapy room, unconditional positive regard, deep listening, state of consciousness, mindfulness practice, and spiritual practice.
Somatic (Mind-body Connection)
One access route to the unconscious is through the body’s messengers including sensations, emotions, tension, and posture. The body remembers everything. The past shows up in the present of the body. The mind and body are in constant communication and have a reciprocal relationship. Our body is our memory keeper, connection to Earth, and protector. I look for moments to help the client experience in the present rather than talk about past experience. I help clients resource their body to self-regulate and gain self awareness.
Holistic
I respect the holistic/systemic nature of the mind, body, and spirit and the individual, family, and society. I understand that change in one part of the system affects the whole. For instance, I view the family as an organism/living system. Symptoms in one individual may reflect an imbalance in the family system as a whole. I believe that all things are interconnected in this web of life.
Person-Centered
I believe you are the expert in your life. I may know a few things about human processes however, I’ll never be the expert or an authority on you. Our therapeutic relationship is a human-to-human relationship where we collaborate and co-explore what unfolds together. I will always show up in my authenticity and view you as the miraculous, autonomous multi-faceted being you are.
Strength-Based
What we look for, we find. I focus on strengths, resources available and solutions. I see you in your wholeness and as part of a greater whole that includes family, culture, and society. I will not pathologize you. Where I have control within the bounds of the Western medical model, I will stay true to my training and not reinforce a narrative of “illness”. I view what’s coming up for you as adaptive in some way to a dysfunctional environment. The environment may be present currently, or held as memories in your cells from the past. There’s nothing wrong with you. Together, we can help your body perceive safety and see what parts of your environment (relationships, lifestyle, belief system, boundaries ect.) are changeable to help you achieve your goals.
Trauma-Informed
It’s my job to maintain safety in the therapeutic relationship and therapy process. I will not assume that what is helpful, comfortable, and feels safe for one client will be so for another. I know that we are all shaped by our unique history. I will meet you where you’re at and guide you to your growth edge when we both decide you’re ready while helping to maintain safety.
let’s chat
Book a free 15 minute discovery call with me
Therapists are not one size fits all. Let’s chat and see if it makes sense to move forward together and book an intake session. If you or I believe someone else would be of more support, I will happily provide referrals.
a few more
FUN FACTS ABOUT ME
I LOVE LISTENING TO...
Country music when I’m cooking and Spanish music when I’m dancing
BEFORE A THERAPY SESSION I'M...
Meditating to fully embody unconditional divine love
MY SIMPLE PLEASURE...
Honey at the bottom of tea
I'M ALWAYS READING AND RE-READING...
The Sophia Code by Kaia Ra &
Women Who Run With the Wolves by Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estes PhD
MY IDEAL VACATION...
Laying on a beach
MY FAVORITE SELF-CARE PRACTICE...
Journaling after reading oracle cards
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