Jessica Freer, LCSW

Therapist / Senior Clinician | jessica@3rdwavetherapy.com | 919-886-4052

We often talk about going to therapy the way we talk about going to the doctor: seeking an expert opinion about a problem and hoping for, yet dreading, the solution. Therapy is actually more like playing a sport or going to the hairdresser, where you build a relationship based on trust, perspective, and mutual goals but you are the one in control.

The most important part of the healing process is actually this therapeutic relationship that we build together. From the very first conversation, my goal is to create a space where you feel comfortable, safe, and understood.

I specialize in supporting adults and adolescents who are dealing with a variety of concerns, including eating disorders, anxiety/depression, self-esteem, OCD, rigid thinking, relationship issues, and complex or acute trauma. Whether you’re dealing with a specific challenge or want more overall support, I’m here to help you explore your thoughts and feelings in a non-judgmental and compassionate way, and to work towards a more fulfilling lifestyle for you.

In our work, I’ll draw on an eclectic combination of approaches, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), attachment theory, and trauma-informed care. These methods help us gain a clearer understanding of how your relationships, early experiences, thoughts, emotions, and need for control have led to functional patterns that protect you but are ultimately unhelpful. We’ll then process and create space for these internal experiences, and develop skills to cope with life’s challenges in a more flexible and intentional way.

You are the expert in your experience. My role is to provide perspective and maybe some education to help you unpack or identify the learned behaviors and patterns that no longer serve you. Regardless of how ready or able you are to create change, I’m here to help you start the path of exploring who you are and who you want to be.

• Treatment Specialties

  • Anxiety

  • Depression & Mood Disorders

  • Stress Management, Self-Growth, & Coping Tools

  • Eating Disorder Treatment

  • Social Anxiety

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

• Services Provided

  • Child & Adolescent Therapy

  • Individual Therapy

• Education

  Master of Social Work, University of North Carolina
  B.S. Psychology & Anthropology, University of North Carolina

• Experience

  Over the years I’ve worked across multiple levels of care in the mental health field, including inpatient treatment and school-based settings. My approach is evidence-based and informed by research on teenage populations as well as integrated healthcare program implementation at UNC Chapel Hill.

  I developed invaluable skills in de-escalation and anxiety management while working in an inpatient eating disorder program. I have also provided play and talk therapy for children navigating anxiety, grief, ADHD, and ASD, as well as parent therapy for adults supporting their children through these challenges.

  Through this work, I’ve grown passionate about holistic and systemic care, especially for families and individuals managing co-occurring mental health concerns. I continue to enjoy using both play therapy and talk therapy with clients of all ages, prioritizing humility, mindfulness, and curiosity in every session. My goal is to center each client’s story and create a space where healing and growth can take root.

• Insurances

  Blue Cross Blue Shield

  Aetna

  North Carolina State Health Plan