Jessica Drennen (She/Her), LCSW

Jessica Drennen is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who focuses on midlife concerns and related life changes. She helps people handle stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, and relationship strain. Her approach is straightforward and respectful, and she encourages clients to set the pace and direction of their work together.

Jessica draws on 14 years of experience to help people talk through painful events and ongoing struggles. She uses client-centered methods to follow what matters most to each person. She also brings cognitive behavioral and dialectical behavior strategies when helpful to change thoughts, manage emotions, and build new skills.

In sessions she addresses trauma, substance use issues, grief, parenting strain, and identity concerns including LGBT matters. Jessica is willing to speak about difficult topics such as race, gender, and bullying when those things affect the person she is seeing. She aims to make space for honest conversation without avoiding the hard parts.

Her style blends practical skill-building with listening and validation. She may introduce mindfulness exercises, coping techniques, or motivational interviewing to support change. Clients set goals and Jessica works alongside them to test new ways of coping and relating.

Jessica practices in North Carolina and brings a calm, direct manner to clinical work. She asks questions, reflects what she hears, and helps people try small steps that make daily life more manageable. The focus is on realistic progress rather than quick fixes.

How therapy approaches can fit into your daily life

Client-centered therapy focuses on the person's own goals and views. The therapist follows the client's lead, listens closely, and helps clarify what matters most in life. This approach is useful for people who want a supportive space to sort through decisions or identity concerns.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at how thoughts and behaviors affect mood. It uses clear steps to test unhelpful thinking and try new behaviors, which can help with anxiety, depression, and stress. Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT, teaches emotion regulation and distress tolerance skills for managing strong feelings and relationship challenges.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will talk with the client about goals and preferences, then suggest ways of working that match those needs. Together they can adjust methods as progress is made and new issues come up.

If you are considering online therapy, confirm the current session options before booking since formats are not listed here. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and remove travel time. Some people prefer video for face-to-face interaction while others choose audio for less bandwidth and a simpler setup. Talk with the therapist about what will fit your routine and comfort level before scheduling.