Jessica Rituzel-Schmidt, MSW, PhD, LCSW
Pronouns: she/her

I have had the privilege of working as a social worker for over 20 years, supporting children, youth, adults, and families through life's challenges. I hold both a Master's in Social Work and a PhD in Social Work and Social Research. I provide in-person, school-based therapy for youth. I also work with adults through virtual therapy sessions. I am LGBTQ+ knowledgeable and affirming, and my work is grounded in social justice, cultural humility, and racial equity.

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I believe youth do best when they are active participants in identifying their own strengths and goals in therapy. I use creative, developmentally responsive interventions to deeply engage youth in the therapeutic process. When appropriate, I collaborate with the important adults and systems in their lives to support lasting change across home, school, and community settings.

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I have experience supporting children, youth, and adults navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, foster care and adoption, grief, ADHD, autism, emotional regulation, life transitions, chronic illness/ chronic pain, and physical health symptoms that co-occur and/or exacerbate mental health symptoms.

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I am trained in Synergetic Play Therapy, Collaborative Problem Solving, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). My work draws heavily on brain and nervous system science, interpersonal neurobiology, and attachment theory. My approach is neurodiversity-affirming and integrative, recognizing the important interconnection between the nervous system, physical health, and emotional health.

 

I also have specialized knowledge of chronic health conditions that occur at a higher rate in neurodivergent people, including joint hypermobility, EDS, POTS, MCAS, and autoimmune conditions. I have received a variety of adult and pediatric training related to hypermobility and associated conditions from the Ehler’s Danlos Society as a Health Advocate and Allied Health Professional.

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Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family, including my children and our whole farm of animals—yes, even an indoor pig! You'll often find me crocheting, listening to podcasts, or reading about all things neurodivergence, the nervous system, hypermobility, and brain science.