Jessica Ronyak, LMHC

I've always been fascinated by human behavior. As a child, I’d sit up at night wondering what makes folks tick and how I can help them. Plus, some of my own family members were affected by mental health issues, which amplified my curiosity. I also remember feeling things deeply—much more deeply than others seemed to.

My interest in people and emotions only grew in college. During undergrad. I played collegiate D1 and D2 volleyball and found myself super intrigued by how our mental health and well-being also impact performance. I began reading books and learning more about psychology, neurobiology, sports performance, alcoholism and addiction, healthy relationships, trauma recovery, and more.

During this time, I also witnessed the power of mental health treatment firsthand through my family members. This all ultimately led me to enroll in NSU’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program and become a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the state of Florida.

Before transitioning to private practice, I worked with children and received advanced training in infant mental health. Whether I was helping children in a community agency or adults in my own practice, I found that talk therapy had limits. This resonated with my own personal experience as a therapy client.

Shortly after, I took the EMDR basic training through EMDRIA. I realized that this tool would allow me to help clients actually experience less pain and suffering—and in a faster, more effective way than talk therapy alone. I found myself particularly interested in Laurel Parnell's AF-EMDR (attachment-focused EMDR) due to the link I saw between infant/child mental health and my childhood trauma work with adult clients. When receiving consultation toward EMDRIA certification, I also discovered the power of parts work and psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy.

I chose to specialize in trauma work because using these tools is so impactful and rewarding. Seeing folks make connections and better understand themselves is truly incredible. I’m dedicated to creating a secure container for you to feel heard, understood, and accepted no matter what you’ve been through. Being a part of each person’s healing journey is the greatest honor I can imagine.

Jessica is now a consultant in training, where she provides consulting for fellow therapists seeking EMDR certification.