By Jessica Krock
A Child With a Deep Desire to Connect
Like many things in life, my journey to where I am today began in childhood. I remember being a deep thinker and feeler from an early age—constantly observing, questioning, and reflecting on the world and the people around me.
I experienced emotions intensely and felt a strong sense of empathy for others. That natural curiosity about human nature, combined with a deep sensitivity, planted the seed for a lifelong desire to understand and connect with people on a meaningful level.
As I grew into my teenage years and began facing questions about my future, one guiding truth became clear:
I wanted to do work that makes a difference. I wanted to help people.
Finding My Path Through Connection
Choosing psychology as my college major felt like a natural step. I was eager to learn how to truly reach people and connect with them on a personal level.
During that time, I volunteered at a crisis hotline, taking weekly calls from individuals who, more than anything, needed someone to listen and understand them.
It didn’t take long for me to realize that this kind of connection—being present for someone in their most vulnerable moments—was exactly the work I wanted to pursue as a career.
Eventually, I continued my education in a Master of Social Work (MSW) program after earning my bachelor’s degree. Social work felt deeply aligned with my values and my vision for the kind of impact I wanted to have.
Alongside my curiosity and sensitivity, a strong commitment to social justice and challenging oppression and discrimination has always been core to who I am.
How Therapy Shaped Me as a Therapist
My work is also shaped by my own experience as a therapy client over the past decade. I understand firsthand that therapy can be transformative, but it also requires courage, honesty, and a willingness to engage in the process.
I know what it means to experience pain and to seek support. I bring not only my education and professional training into my work, but also my lived experience and genuine empathy.
More Than a Profession, Who I Am
I have been honored to work as a therapist in private practice for the past six years, and before that, in community mental health settings with some of the most vulnerable members of our society.
Each experience has deepened my understanding of the human experience and reinforced my commitment to this work.
At the heart of it all, my goal is simple: to create a space where people feel seen, heard, and understood.
I believe that healing begins with connection, and I am continually humbled to walk alongside my clients as they navigate their own journeys.
This work is not just my profession—it is a reflection of who I am and what I value most.
About the Author:
Jessica Krock, LCSW
Jessica is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker focused on helping adolescents, adults, and couples build meaningful, values-driven lives through acceptance and evidence-based approaches.
With over seven years of experience, she specializes in anxiety, OCD, trauma, depression, grief, relationship issues, life transitions, and LGBTQ+ issues.