Jessica Peterson, LCSW

Jessica Carnesi Peterson, LCSW, is a licensed psychotherapist who brings more than 16 years of clinical experience to her work with individuals, couples, and families. She holds the credential LCSW, which stands for Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and combines formal training with a compassionate, strengths-based approach to help clients navigate stress, relationship challenges, trauma, mood concerns, and life transitions.

Peterson earned a BA in Psychology with a minor in Spanish from Austin College in 1999 and completed a Master of Social Work at the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work in 2006. Her clinical background spans schools, hospitals, and private practice, and she currently divides her time between private practice and the Menninger Clinic in Houston, Texas. Over the years she has worked with adults, children, couples, and families across a wide range of presenting concerns.

She has received specialized training in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), executive function supports, and Gottman methods for couples work. Peterson aims to provide an individualized therapy experience that emphasizes authenticity, empathy, and practical strategies so clients can move toward their goals with clarity and confidence.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Jessica Peterson integrates several evidence-informed approaches to tailor care to each person's needs. Attachment-Based Therapy focuses on patterns in close relationships and how early attachment experiences shape current relational reactions - it can help with abandonment, attachment issues, and rebuilding trust in relationships. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps identify and shift unhelpful thoughts and behaviors to reduce anxiety, manage depression, and improve coping with stress. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) emphasizes practical skills in emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness, which can be useful for mood instability, impulsive reactions, and interpersonal conflict.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic journey. Peterson works collaboratively with clients to explore goals, preferences, and practical concerns, adjusting techniques over time so treatment fits the individual's life and priorities. Licensed professionals and therapists can draw from multiple methods to create a plan that feels manageable and meaningful.

Online therapy with Jessica Peterson offers flexibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. These options make it easier to schedule sessions around work, parenting, or other commitments, support continuity of care when travel or relocation occurs, and provide multiple ways to engage with therapy based on what feels most helpful.