Jay Hope (Intern Therapist)

Hello! My name is Jay (they/them). I’ll be an intern therapist at The Center for Growth from May 2026 to May 2027. I’m currently working towards my Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Saint Joseph’s University, with a focus in compulsive behaviors.

Taking the step to invest in yourself and your well-being takes courage. My goal is to provide you with the support, empathy, and compassion that you deserve as we work collaboratively to create goals to enrich and fulfill your life. I believe that everyone has the capacity to heal and grow; my job is to help you every step along the way. Whether you're struggling with bipolar disorder, anger, or trauma, we will aim to lighten the emotional weight of it by figuring out what's missing or what needs to change. Challenges such as life changes, panic or anxiety, and depression deserve the space to be processed and unpacked.

My Philosophy

My experience with navigating mental health challenges is initially what sparked my interest in this field. I know what it’s like to carry heavy feelings and thoughts while also working on finding my way in this world. When I began my own journey with therapy, I didn’t know what to expect. I learned somewhere along the way that unloading the weight of my feelings with someone who was willing to listen and help me was the very thing that I was missing. This all starts with having a conversation with someone with the same goal in mind. I felt the impact of receiving care from someone who genuinely cares; I bring the same attitude to my time with my clients. My journey with mental health informs the way that I show up for my clients. I recognize that opening up with someone new can be challenging and requires a lot of trust. Building trust and comfort is a crucial first step to this process. We will go at your pace without rushing the process. I bring genuine curiosity, compassion, and a non-judgmental attitude to every session. Our shared investment in improving your quality of life will drive our work together.

It’s entirely possible that you may not have a clear idea of what you want to work on in therapy. You might know exactly what you want to gain from our time together. Regardless, the very fact that you’ve decided to start looking for help signifies that there’s something you’d like to work on and you have the courage to seek it out. Whether you're struggling with panic attacks, intrusive thoughts, or trauma, I will listen with compassion. I am interested in hearing your story and what makes you who you are. This could mean uncovering what qualities you already possess and working to build on your preexisting strengths. The very fact that you are here and show up every day is a strength. I firmly believe that we all carry our own strengths and have the capacity to expand on them and build new skills.

My Approach

I integrate CBT, existential, solution-focused and person-centered approaches in my work with my clients. You are the expert of your own story, and I am here to bear witness to that with empathy, curiosity, and zero judgement. We will work together to discover and honor your core values and beliefs by building your sense of agency and sense of self. Working with me means that we will create goals for your growth together. Our work together will be intentional and purposeful as we navigate stressors and challenges. I primarily work with those who experience the following:

• Relationship problems

• Individuals navigating life changes

• Anger

• Anxiety & Panic Attacks

• Bipolar Disorder

• Depression

• Gender Identity

• LGBTQIA+

• OCD

• Personality Disorders

• Trauma & PTSD

CBT

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy focuses on our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. We develop coping mechanisms, whether they are effective or not, to handle the stressors that have been thrown our way. CBT will help us to analyze whether your coping strategies are useful to you anymore, and will further prompt us to take a look at what might be helpful instead. Our thought patterns are incredibly powerful as they influence the way we perceive the world and feel about ourselves. What if there was a way to disengage from our coping skills that no longer serve us and shift gears towards something more fulfilling? We can explore how this might look for you in our work together. CBT is one of my favorite approaches because it provides us with tangible tools to process our internal dialogue and the way it shapes how we show up in the world.

Existentialism

Existential therapy is special because it’s more so a way of thinking than it is a concrete technique in the therapeutic space. It recognizes the complexities of life and being human. We have the agency to engage with our lives however we want to; every decision that we make for ourselves is ultimately up to us. We are all in charge of the life that we lead. For individuals who have experienced trauma, this mindset may help them to regain a sense of autonomy. This approach emphasizes the process of meaning-making through engaging with life in a way that feels purposeful and rewarding. The spirit of existentialism resonates deeply with me and influences my attitude towards life in general. Let’s uncover the areas of your life you’re looking to reclaim and make yours.

Person-Centered

This approach represents how I like to show up for my clients. I meet each of my clients where they are at in their healing journey with empathy and compassion. We will explore events from the past that may inform certain themes in your story. Going through life with the weight of old wounds can get heavy. Let’s break it all down and examine how the past might be affecting you in your day-to-day life. You will guide this process as I make the space for you to share your story and encourage you to explore deep emotions. Our time together will guide you towards self-discovery, empowerment, and increased authenticity. This approach speaks to me because I am interested in hearing your story, not only what you’re struggling with.

Solution-Focused

Solution-Focused Brief Therapy is an integrative process that can be used during any point of our work together. SFBT is straightforward and direct as it focuses entirely on identifying problems and potential solutions. I believe that there is a solution to any problem as there is always something that we can do to make a situation even a little better. Each stride that you take towards something is worth celebrating because even the biggest achievements consist of several smaller steps that it took to get there. This approach resonates with me because waiting until everything is fixed to feel good about where you're headed isn't the only option.

A Few Closing Thoughts

As we go through the journey of sitting with difficult emotions and making changes that increase your overall well-being, you’ll be encouraged to share the positive experiences and relationships that you experience as well. I’m here to celebrate the small wins, simple pleasures, and good news with you as much as everything else. I’m here to support you through all of life’s experiences. My hope is for you to live life in a way that feels most true to you. You may not have a clear idea in your head about what that looks like or how to get there yet; and our sessions together will be structured around getting you closer to that with time. Our shared investment in your well-being is what will drive us closer to a more fulfilling life for you. As we stride towards that, I believe it’s integral that we develop your outlook on life in a way that makes the present moment feel more comfortable. Therapy is hard work and I prioritize making it as digestible as possible as we make progress.

Our first session will consist of us getting to know each other and help us start to determine your points of focus. This will give us an idea of where you're currently at and what you're hoping to get out of our time together. We will ease into it together and take it one step at a time. My goal from day one is for you to leave the session feeling heard and like you have someone in your corner. Therapy is not always linear. Progress looks different for everyone, and there is no single timeline for the process. What matters is that you feel supported and understood as we navigate this together. The decision to begin therapy is a meaningful one, and I do not take lightly the trust that it requires. Whether you are new to therapy or returning after some time away, I will meet you where you are and we will build from there at a pace that feels right for you. Please reach out if you’re interested in connecting or if you have any questions. I look forward to working with you.