Jessica Lelinho

Jessica is the proud founder and owner of Calming the Storm Counseling LLC. Calming the Storm Counseling was founded in June 2024. Jessica has experience working within the mental health and addictions sector since 2012. Prior to opening Calming the Storm Counseling LLC, Jessica worked in a hospital, agency, and private practice setting. While earning her Master of Arts Degree in counseling with a specialization in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Fairleigh Dickinson University Jessica completed internships in an inpatient short-term psychiatric facility, outpatient substance abuse facility, and Intensive Outpatient (IOP) facility. During her time at Fairleigh Dickinson University, Jessica was inducted into Chi Sigma Iota International Honor Society for counseling and was a student member of the American Counseling Association and New Jersey Counseling Association. Jessica previously attended William Paterson University where she obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. While attending William Paterson University, Jessica was inducted into the Psi Chi International Honor Society for Psychology majors. Upon graduation from Fairleigh Dickinson University, Jessica obtained her Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) license and began working within the mental health and addictions sector gaining experience in Intensive In Community (IIC) and Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT). While working in Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT), Jessica obtained her Licensed Clinical Alcohol Drug Counselor (LCADC) license. In addition to working, Jessica has volunteered within the mental health sector including volunteer opportunities with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, CONTACT of Mercer County, CrisisChat, and TxtNow. While volunteering with CONTACT of Mercer County, Jessica completed the Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST). Jessica also received training in mental health first aid, dialectical behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and sandplay therapy. Jessica is certified in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (C-DBT), is a Certified Mindfulness Informed Professional (CMIP), and trained in Sand Play Therapy. Jessica is proficient in conducting individual and family sessions. Jessica specializes in working with children as young as 5 years old, adolescents, young adults, older adults, and families. Jessica utilizes evidence-based treatment modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and person-centered throughout her therapy sessions which have been proven to be effective in treating issues pertaining to mental health, addictions, and relationships. However, Jessica utilizes an eclectic approach when providing services as she feels that counseling is not a one size fits all approach. Jessica provides individual and/or family counseling services in a safe, non-judgmental setting. The main focus is to get to know the client and develop a trusting therapeutic relationship. Treatment approaches come from a person-centered approach while utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and mindfulness while meeting the client where they are. Jessica’s main objective is to elicit long lasting behavioral changes and provide you with the coping skills and self-care techniques needed to continue to grow outside of therapy. Jessica has worked with clients struggling and afflicted with Bipolar, Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective Disorder, Depression, Mood Disorders, Personality Disorders, Anxiety, Adjustment Disorders, Alcohol Use Disorder/Dependence, Opiate Use Disorder/Dependence, Co-Occurring Disorders, Substance Abuse, familial issues, bullying, self-harm, LGBTQIA+, and numerous other mental health challenges. Jessica’s primary focus is acute psychiatric illnesses, addictions, and/or co-occurring disorders. When Jessica is not in therapy sessions or running Calming the Storm Counseling LLC, she enjoys spending time with her husband, family, and friends, listening to country music, coloring, baking, going to the beach, caring for her numerous houseplants, and enjoying the little things in life that brings joy for herself and others. Jessica is a passionate therapist and is always learning new techniques or modalities that can be utilized to assist her clients continuing to grow both in therapy and outside of therapy. “Growth occurs when individuals confront problems, struggle to master them, and through that struggle develop new aspects of their skills, capacities, views about life” - Carl Rogers “You can’t calm the storm, so stop trying. What you can do is calm yourself. The storm will pass” - Timber Hawkeye