Clinician

Jessica Rak

PMHNP-BC

I am a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner. I have 15 years experience treating patients of all ages and specialize in children and adolescents. I offer psychotherapy, psychiatric evaluation, and medication management. I’ve worked in inpatient, outpatient, and pediatric settings providing levels of care ranging from acute crisis stabilization to weekly therapy sessions. I have experience treating ADHD, anxiety disorders, mood disorders, trauma, high-functioning autism spectrum disorder, and psychotic disorders.

I use a psychodynamic therapy framework enhanced by evidence-based behavioral and mindfulness techniques. I offer individual and family therapy, including parent coaching, with a special interest in helping teens and families navigate intense emotions with compassion and acceptance while also building healthy coping skills. No two families are the same, so I tailor my approach to the specific needs of each child and family.

How do you describe your therapeutic approach?

I strive to be genuine and authentic so my clients know that I am there with them, sharing their experiences, throughout our time together. I try to meet each client where they are, and I commit deeply to our work together.

What’s the most rewarding part of your job?

The most rewarding part of my job is bearing witness to my clients’ lives as they mature and grow into the people they want to become.

What’s something your clients might be surprised to learn about you?

I was in a cappella groups in both undergraduate and graduate school. Now I stick to singing in my car or at home when no one is around. I also love to travel abroad, going on yoga retreats and solo adventures and exploring new cultures whenever I can.

What is a self-care ritual you practice?

Movement is an incredibly important part of my life and self-care routine: walks through nature, yoga flows, swimming, traveling. Movement allows me to process my emotions and feel more connected. You will also always find plenty of fidgets in my office for this reason!

My happy place is anywhere near water, especially when I can listen to the sound of waves crashing.

Experience and Accolades

  • Worked for nearly a decade as the Associate Medical Director of Prospects Extended Day Program at Mid-Fairfield Community Care Center, an intensive program for children ages 6-12
  • Medication management provider for MF-CCC’s Dialectical Behavioral Therapy program
  • Guest lecturer at Yale University School of Nursing
  • Worked as a clinical preceptor for Yale’s Graduate Entry Program in Nursing

Pronouns

She/Her

Languages

English

Education

Master of Science in Nursing (Yale University), BS in human biology, health, and society (Cornell University)

Works With

Children, Adolescents, Adults, Parents, Families

Licenses and Certifications

ANCC board-certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC), trained and certified in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) through Marsha Linehan Behavioral Tech

Specialties

DBT, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)

Style

No categories assigned.

Interested in working with Jessica Rak?

Schedule a free consultation

Experience and Accolades

  • Worked for nearly a decade as the Associate Medical Director of Prospects Extended Day Program at Mid-Fairfield Community Care Center, an intensive program for children ages 6-12
  • Medication management provider for MF-CCC’s Dialectical Behavioral Therapy program
  • Guest lecturer at Yale University School of Nursing
  • Worked as a clinical preceptor for Yale’s Graduate Entry Program in Nursing

Get in touch

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