Background

I am a registered Art Therapist and Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC012158) with over 10 years of clinical experience. I have a Bachelors of Science degree in Psychology and Art and a Masters of Science degree in Art Therapy, both from Florida State University. Throughout my career, I have worked in diverse clinical settings, from non-profits, to schools, to providing in-home therapy. Most recently, I have worked in private practices in the Atlanta area focused on embracing creativity in therapy. In 2024, I opened Create Change Counseling.

Experience

Most of my life has been spent working with families in one way or another. Now being a mom of two girls, I am even more acutely aware of how much support parents need. Kids do not come with a handbook, (and despite reading several) I find parenting to be the most rewarding and challenging experience of my life. I know we can all use the help! If I am working with your child, I want to work with you as well. In addition, I love working with moms as they navigate the complexities of motherhood and balancing the mental load or navigate the challenges of the early days of motherhood in pregnancy and postpartum. I also am passionate about helping young adults as they face many big life changes that occur after high school and well into your 20s.

My experience includes helping children, teens, and adults with anxiety disorders, perfectionism, depression, OCD, low self-esteem, interpersonal skills, and trauma. I enjoy working with neurodiverse individuals (Autism, ADHD, learning disabilities) and my fellow artists and creative types too (but you do not have to be an artist to work with me). As an INFJ and someone who was labeled “the quiet kid” growing up, I am also passionate about helping people find their own voice, embrace their differences, and develop a positive and confident sense of self.

Overall, my hope is that you leave your session feeling empowered, supported, and equipped to create change in your life.

Therapeutic Approach

Central to my therapeutic approach is the belief that art serves as a powerful medium for expression and healing. By incorporating art-making into my sessions, I believe clients are given an additional tool to communicate and navigate difficult emotions in a safe and tangible manner. I truly believe that creativity is integral to personal growth, problem-solving, and understanding our world.

While art therapy is an important part of my practice, I also integrate traditional talk therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) techniques, parent coaching, and mindfulness skills into sessions. I have additional training as a Positive Discipline parenting educator, in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Exposure Response and Prevention (ERP) training and am currently working on my Perinatal Mental Health certification (PMH-C). My goal is to tailor these interventions and my professional trainings to meet the unique needs and preferences of each person that steps into my office.

Interests

Outside of my sessions, most of my time is spent with my husband and two girls. We love exploring local parks, coffee shops, or going on day trips to the zoo or aquarium. I also love traveling and am always scheming to go somewhere! In addition to being an art therapist, I am a photographer and own Jess Vallor Photography which serves as my own artistic outlet and another way to work with families. Motherhood, art therapy, and photography each fulfill an important piece of my life and push me to live creatively.