A primary goal for therapy is to improve a client's overall sense of well-being. My therapeutic approach is collaborative and strengths based with special focus on art therapy, attachment, family systems, structural theory, and mindfulness. I integrate creative and expressive arts to explore feelings, reconcile emotional conflicts, foster self-awareness, manage behaviors, develop interpersonal skills, improve personal insight, reduce anxiety and depression, and increase self-esteem. I additionally like to use humor, when appropriate, in sessions. Therapy does not have to be intense and serious all of the time.
A little about my background: I am licensed in both Colorado and California. I graduated from Notre Dame de Namur University in Belmont, CA with a Master of Arts degree in Marital and Family Therapy and Art Therapy. I am currently on the board of the Art Therapy Association of Colorado as the Education Chair. As an intern I worked in a variety of intensive settings with a wide range of clients from children and teens to young adults to elders. I have worked with clients on the Autistic Spectrum of all ages for more than 7 years and feel a connection with this population and their loved ones.
I love to cook and even had the opportunity to do cooking as a therapeutic tool with some of my clients in the past which was really fun. I am an artist and writer and frequently integrate those interests in my work with clients, which makes the Art Therapy thing a little more obvious.
I have some personal experience being in a relationship with someone who I strongly suspect was on the Autism Spectrum. It was not an easy relationship in terms of communication and conflict resolution, but when I accepted that this person might just be on the Spectrum and I approached our relationship with that knowledge, things got better. It turned out to be a wonderful and fulfilling partnership.
With this same person, I sadly experienced being a caregiver to someone with terminal cancer. I have a deep understanding of anticipatory grief and bereavement and the depression that will naturally accompany this loss. Like my clients, I have been through quite a lot: loss and depression, trauma and anxiety, difficult relationships and loving ones. I can safely say that I will not ask a client to do something I have not already been through myself.
Additional areas of focus: Relationship issues, Family conflicts, Trauma and abuse, Intimacy-related issues, Eating disorders, Sleeping disorders, Parenting issues, Anger management
CO LMFT MFT.0001361
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Nissa Jackman. 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.
Nissa is a wonderful and caring counselor who has helped me ground myself and rediscover the person I want to be. Thank you, Nissa!
Written on Feb 09, 2018 after therapy with Nissa for 7 months on issues concerning depression, relationship, self esteem, and anger
Nissa Jackman has been phenomenal as a counselor, offering constructive and goal-oriented support and an intuitive approach to my mental health needs.
Written on Jan 09, 2018 after therapy with Nissa for 3 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship, and sleeping
She is on time she listens she has a lot of input and understands what I'm saying and how to resolve it understands how I feel she's amazing!
Written on Oct 17, 2017 after therapy with Nissa for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship, family, trauma and abuse, sleeping, parenting, and self esteem
Nissa is a great counselor. She really listens and knows how to deconstruct in a constructive way. She knows the right time to challenge one's ideas and beliefs. She made me work for my therapy goals, and that work has paid off. Her help and support have helped me learn to hold myself up and become the person I want to be. I walk the path but she taught me how to get there. I am absolutely grateful to her.
Written on Sep 30, 2017 after therapy with Nissa for 4 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, sleeping, and self esteem
Nissa has been extremely helpful in only under a months time. It feels good to know I can talk to someone objectively, outside of friends and family, about my challenges. I feel I've already discovered some things about my current situation and have been provided with tools to get me to a better place. I feel more hopeful about the future, especially knowing I have support from someone who will listen, provide objective feedback, and guidance. She's understanding, compassionate, and provides guidance in a way that merges with my needs. Very thankful to have her on my side.
Written on Aug 27, 2017 after therapy with Nissa for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, sleeping, and self esteem
Nissa is great! She's very understanding and helpful. She provided a list of books to read about things we had talked about and they were incredibly helpful. She opened my eyes to how certain things affect other things in my life which was eye opening. I really appreciated her input.
Written on Jun 12, 2017 after therapy with Nissa for 1 month on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, and self esteem