Dr. Jessica Hughes, LPC - Therapist in Missouri

Emotionally-Focused Therapy
CBT and ACT methods
Caregiver and body image

About Jessica

Dr. Jessica Hughes is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) practicing in Missouri with eight years of clinical experience. She helps people manage stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, low self-esteem, and the challenges that come with life transitions. Jessica writes plainly and keeps sessions focused on what feels most important right now.

Her approach uses clear conversation and practical tools. She draws on Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) to help people notice and name difficult emotions. She also uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Client-Centered Therapy techniques when those fit a person's goals.

In session she listens for patterns that get in the way of everyday living, such as avoidance, people-pleasing, or repeated self-criticism. She helps identify small changes that reduce distress and improve daily functioning. Sessions include straightforward skill practice, reflective discussion, and goal setting.

Jessica pays attention to issues like attachment, abandonment, codependency, communication difficulties, guilt, shame, and feelings of emptiness. She also works with caregiver stress, body image concerns, first responder issues, and impulse-related problems.

People can expect a therapist who focuses on emotional awareness and practical coping. The tone is direct and supportive, with an emphasis on building skills and clearer emotional understanding over time.

Approaches used in remote sessions

Dr. Hughes frequently integrates Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) to help people identify and name emotions that feel confusing or overwhelming. EFT can be useful for understanding attachment patterns and for working with strong feelings that repeat in daily life. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is also part of her toolkit and focuses on clarifying values, accepting difficult inner experiences, and building committed action toward meaningful goals. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) techniques are used to spot unhelpful thinking patterns and to practice skills that reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. She will work with each person to decide which methods fit their needs and goals. That collaboration shapes session pacing, the mix of skill work and reflective conversation, and the short-term focuses to track progress.

Session formats are not specified in the biography, so confirm current session options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule, allow shorter check-ins when time is limited, and reduce travel time. Licensed professionals often adjust session length and homework to match a person's day-to-day life and responsibilities, and she will discuss how to make therapy practical for each client.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, Anxiety Trauma and abuse Self esteem Depression Coping with life changes

Additional focus areas

Abandonment Attachment issuesBody imageCaregiver issues and stress Codependency Communication problems Control issuesDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)EmptinessFamily problemsFirst responder issuesForgiveness Guilt and shameImpulsivityIsolation / loneliness Life purpose Men's issuesVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMoney and financial issuesMood disordersNarcissismObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacks Post-traumatic stressSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-love Social anxiety and phobia Women's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Client-Centered Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Existential Therapy Mindfulness Therapy Motivational Interviewing Narrative Therapy Psychodynamic Therapy Solution-Focused Therapy Internal Family Systems

Experience

8+ years

Listed in

Missouri

Languages

English

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does she address?

She works with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, and self-esteem issues along with related problems such as attachment, abandonment, codependency, and caregiver stress.

What is her therapeutic style?

She blends Emotional-Focused Therapy with practical strategies from ACT, CBT, DBT, and Client-Centered Therapy to help people notice emotions and learn skills for daily life.

How much clinical experience does she have?

Jessica has eight years of professional work experience in counseling and mental health practice.

What are her credentials and where is she based?

She is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) licensed in Missouri.

Which languages are supported in sessions?

Sessions are offered in English.

Can people outside the United States work with her?

She is not accepting international clients at this time.

How are sessions paid for?

Cost varies by location. Sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

How do I begin working with her?

Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.

Profile details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. Credential and registration rules differ between the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.