Meet Jessica Pederson Willman, LCSW, LICSW
Helping you slow down, reflect, and heal.
Trauma therapist for adults & teens in Minneapolis
and online across MN & CA
MY APPROACH
Therapy is more than having someone to talk at
When we work together you can expect…
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Creating a comfortable and inviting space is my speciality. As we dig into your inner world, I bring a balance of curiosity and openness to help you feel more secure in the exploration and healing you’re wanting to experience.
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Oftentimes we get on a roll while talking and quickly move on to the next comment without stopping to reflect on the powerful statement you just shared. Through my lens of curiosity, I offer insight at these moments and invite exploration of what is coming up, to bring focus that we can continue to process through.
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One of the ways we heal is through shifting how we relate to ourselves and others. Though most people want a quick fix for this, the process is more of a marathon than a sprint. Getting familiar with tracking our patterns of connection and disconnection can help us recognize when we’re getting pulled into our coping strategies and choose to respond differently.
I’m here to journey with you as we explore new paths
As a lover of the outdoors, I cannot think of a better comparison for therapy than a good hike. No matter how much you prepare, it can still challenge you. As you journey uphill you may need to pause to catch your breath, you may doubt whether you’ll reach your goal, but once you make it to the top you will feel triumphant as you look back to see how far you’ve come.
Unlike a standard path, therapy is deeply unique and tailored to the traveler. I have certainly climbed my way out of holes and stood atop peaks. Although I may not be able to relate with all of your experiences, you don’t need a friend you can share with; you need a professional who knows how to help you explore, no matter where you’re at or what you’ve gone through. I absolutely love therapy and I know this work deeply, from both sides.
With 10+ years of experience as a psychotherapist, specialized trainings to treat the effects of trauma, and my ability to help folks feel comfortable being seen in therapy, I am uniquely qualified to help process the trauma trails you have walked on.
Certified Master NARM Therapist and Certified Brainspotting Practitioner
No matter which method I use in therapy, I bring an authentic curiosity to all sessions. Folks who see me almost always comment that I have a way of helping them feel comfortable, even when digging into their deepest traumas, and that is a compliment I take to heart. I enjoy bringing humor into session and love to use it as an invitation to help ease clients to go deeper into their internal world. I am passionate about connecting with my clients and helping folks feel more secure about allowing themselves to really be seen.
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The NeuroAffective Relational Model (NARM) is a therapeutic approach designed to address the survival patterns and disconnection that result from adverse childhood experiences. It integrates a top-down (cognitive) and bottom-up (somatic) approach to work with the nervous system to help individuals reconnect with their bodies, emotions, and relationships to foster health and wholeness. Click to learn more.
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Brainspotting was created on the principle that “where you looks affects how you feel.” It uses specific eye positions to access areas of the brain where trauma is stored at a deep, non-verbal level. Click to learn more.
My Specialties
My Background
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Education and Licenses
Masters of Social Work from California State University, Chico
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in California
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) in Minnesota
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Training and Certifications
EMDR Training 2019
Certified Trauma Specialist for Families 2020
Certified Brainspotting Practitioner 2021
Certified NARM Therapist 2022
Certified NARM Master Therapist 2023
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Professional Associations
NARM Training Assistant for CTTC (Complex Trauma Training Center) 2022-current
Board Member for Minnesota Womxn in Psychology 2025 - current
Directory listing for Reclamation Collective, an organization for survivors of religious trauma