Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessenia Acuna.
Hi Jessenia, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
With over 10 years of practice in wellness, social work, and mental health, I bring a holistic perspective to create a satisfying and fulfilling life. My work started with children in the Florida foster care system and later with college students at the Health and Wellness Center at New York University in Shanghai and New York. I have also worked with underserved communities in Thailand and the Philippines as well as with undocumented children and families in New York City.
I am driven by the desire to create healing spaces for children, adults, and families and recognize the impact of their sociocultural environments. I pursued higher education in social work to learn how to address the complexities in early childhood development, identity development, and feelings of belonging. During this time, I took a deep dive into my personal and professional development. I immersed myself in my healing and learned more about somatic practices, yoga, and wellness.
While I worked toward professional licensure, I opened my own coaching business working with trauma survivors, busy professionals, and high achievers. Today, I have transitioned my coaching business into a clinical psychotherapy practice that integrates mind-body approaches, yoga, and mindfulness. It brings me so much joy to know that I can bring my full self into my practice and trust the evidence-based practices I learned can also support others.
When I am not working, I am listening to my favorite podcasts, exploring cozy coffee shops with friends, working out, planning my next trip or playing with my niece–enjoying the small pleasures of life, well-being, and wholeness. I endured a lot to get here and am incredibly grateful to all of the support I’ve received along the way.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Integrity is important to me and I recognized early on that if I wanted to show up authentically, I had to immerse myself into my own healing, process my own biases, and develop radical acceptance. I struggled with high cholesterol, hyper independence, imposter syndrome, perfectionism, and lack of discipline most of my life.
Some of my relationships were also not ideal and I had a lot of blind spots. My attachment style impacted a lot of the decisions I made and I self sabotaged often. Unfortunately, I had to let go of certain habits and relationships that were beyond repair. In this process, I became more self-aware, challenged self limiting beliefs, and rethought core beliefs that were no longer in alignment with the life I was creating.
Letting go created a lot of anxiety and grief, yet I am grateful that I had the courage and the support to get through these major life changes. I can now see the value of asking for support, facing our weaknesses, and taking accountability for what is within our control. I am grateful for all of the silver linings that led me to where I am today.
As you know, we’re big fans of Soho Holistic Therapy . For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Soho Holistic Therapy is a boutique psychotherapy practice for modern life. We create a space for the eccentric and the bold. We are primarily remote and believe that therapy should be accessible and in the comfort of your own space. We work with those who are looking to elevate their confidence, health, wellbeing, and lifestyle.
Our belief is that living in a stressful and uncertain world creates a ton of tension and builds blockages that get in the way of true self-expression and keeps you from reaching your highest potential. Modern life is demanding and relentless at times and our mission is to support creatives, professionals, and athletes tune into their bodies in a way that is insightful and integrating. We believe in creating a lifestyle that nurtures growth, healing, and inner peace.
We are right for you if you are ready to invest in yourself in order to let go of overthinking, self-doubt, and worry. We welcome all parts of you and work with, not against them. You deserve to move from survival mode to wholeness, and together we design a plan that will get you to your own version of home and harmony.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
Mental health and wellbeing is incomplete without considering the body. Integration is necessary to achieve wholeness and in my work people often share that they “know what to do” yet struggle to put it into practice.
I know this all too well from personal experience so professionally I use evidence based practices to help others build mind-body connection, emotional regulation, and healthy habits.
Pricing:
- $200 per session
- $250 per initial session
Contact Info:
- Website: www.soholistictherapy.com
- Instagram: @wellnessyogijess
Image Credits
Irving Martinez
