I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). I live and practice in the state of Alaska.
I have a wonderful plant. This plant is very tenacious-it has to thrive in a room filled with Alaskan light during the winter, so that means it has to work hard to find enough solar energy to grow and thrive. Recently I noticed the plant was stretching out its stems and leaves far past its location-up to the window to find light on its own. I was inspired to watch the plant seek and find what it needed, and that is exactly the way I think about therapy-both in the inspiring pursuit of “light/insight” and my enjoyment of getting to be a part of the growth
I was trained in clinical social work at Portland State University’s Graduate School of Social Work. I believe in social justice in all things and that means in therapeutic approaches as well. Before I had a “real” degree I studied with peers to learn radical psychiatry from a collective of transactional analysis practitioners originating in Berkeley (Bob Schewebel, Claude Steiner), but enacted in Portland Oregon- where I lived the bulk of my life. It was a politicizing education about the role of therapists and the importance of incorporating racism, sexism, ageism and class into my interventions and awareness.
Since then I’ve learned traditional modalities for therapeutic competency including CBT-cognitive behavioral therapy, DBT dialectical behavior therapy-both approaches being helpful for anyone with anxiety, stress and depression. I was trained in family systems theory in school and I am versed in the theories of recovery –both the 12-step programs and its counterpoint-Rational Recovery-an approach for folks who are not religiously inclined. Some of John Gottman’s work with couples and Michelle Weiner Davis inform my approach to marital counseling. I’ve worked with self harming teens/tweens and used DBT tools to assist with those issues. Later I studied Attachment theory and practice and worked in the field of adoption and parenting, and became an adoptive parent myself.
Additionally I worked in the field of cancer care with children and families. I can offer you experience in coping with this difficult process with your family.
Recently I’ve worked with service members and their families -which may seem incongruent given my earlier orientation-but working with this culture has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. The experience of stretching my assumptions has been a surprising growth process. For me as a clinician there is nothing more exciting than discovering skewed assumptions, and being gifted with the opportunity to shift my perceptions. Utilizing trauma informed principles and process is another area of practice I can offer.
My social justice values still inform my work, but now I bring a lifetime of training and experience to that orientation. Cultural competency has been a driving force in my life and that is reflected in my daily life as the only white person in my family. I am also committed to supporting LGBTQ communities and am 100% gay-positive in my practice. Areas of interest include special issues for artists, spiritually driven quandaries, LGBTQ issues /sexual orientation issues, transitions, grief and bereavement, attachment, adoption, military transitions and issues, sexual assault and domestic abuse (survivors)- among so many others.
My goal is to assist you with shining the light on your path. Sometimes that’s all it takes.
Additional areas of focus: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Family conflicts, Trauma and abuse, Intimacy-related issues, Sleeping disorders, Self esteem, Bipolar disorder, Depression
AK LCSW CSWS1010
OR LCSW L10986
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Jessie Hathorne Cantil. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
My experience working with Husch has been absolutely amazing so far. She is such a kind and caring person, and I truly enjoy our conversations. She has helped me to come to some important realizations about myself which have allowed me to make some incredibly positive changes in a relatively short period of time. I feel much calmer and more balanced than I did just a few months ago.
Written on Feb 21, 2019 after therapy with Jessie for 2 months on issues concerning relationship issues, and family conflicts
Husch has been more than a counselor to me. She has been a friend and a teacher. Her expertise has led her to share different approaches with me to help me cope physically and emotionally with the challenges I face. She has never pressured me to make decisions or adopt certain behaviors, instead she has offered me alternatives and different ways to look at things. She has taught me patience and coping skills and has become in tune with my personality so that these skills do work for me. I am grateful that I have her as she has been with me through this difficult time.
Written on May 29, 2018 after therapy with Jessie for 4 months on issues concerning lgbt, relationship, intimacy-related, and self esteem
She is very easy to talk with and to share my views and thoughts with and she is very helpful i would give her a ten out of ten
Written on May 14, 2018 after therapy with Jessie for 4 months on issues concerning depression, relationship, grief, and sleeping
Husch has been very understanding and able to empathize with what I’ve been going through during these past two months that I’ve started getting professional counseling. I have been dealing with confusion, loss, and grief and I feel that I can better understand and deal with my feelings with a comforting and professional set of ears like Husch. Thank you so much for all of your help via messages and live sessions despite the complicated time difference.
Written on Dec 18, 2017 after therapy with Jessie for 1 month on issues concerning depression, lgbt, grief, intimacy-related, and self esteem