Apricity Counseling Services

02/13/2026

Thinking about my teens today…

As a trauma therapist who works closely with teens, here’s what I want parents to know:

Adolescence is the stage where young people begin forming their own beliefs. They test ideas. They care deeply about fairness. They want their voice to matter.

When student-led protests come up, it can trigger a lot in parents — fear about safety, fear about influence, fear about the world they’re stepping into.

Those fears make sense.

But shutting down the conversation entirely often shuts down communication, too.

The question isn’t simply “Should they go?”
The more important question is, “How do we guide them wisely?”

Teens need:
• Space to think critically
• Clear conversations about safety
• Boundaries that are thoughtful, not reactive
• Parents who stay regulated enough to lead

You don’t have to agree with your teen’s views to stay connected to them.

And connection is what keeps them coming back to you when things get complicated.

The science:
Research consistently shows that critical thinking in youth develops best in environments that balance warmth, structure, and guided independence. Adolescents strengthen their reasoning skills when adults invite open dialogue, ask thoughtful questions, and tolerate respectful disagreement. Rather than lecturing or shutting ideas down, parents who encourage teens to explain their thinking — and who model curiosity themselves — help build stronger analytical skills. Exposure to diverse perspectives, opportunities to weigh real-world consequences, and explicit reflection on “how do you know?” all sharpen cognitive flexibility.

Equally important, critical thinking depends on emotional regulation and secure relationships. When teens feel safe, connected, and not at risk of losing approval for expressing a view, they are more willing to explore complex ideas and revise their thinking. A calm nervous system supports a thinking brain. In short, critical thinking grows not from control or fear, but from steady guidance, emotional safety, and coached autonomy.

02/13/2026

I recently had the pleasure of meeting Kimberly at Gracie Jiu Jitsu, Fallon and I left feeling genuinely inspired by the work they are doing with women in our community!

I’m thrilled to be joining them on February 21st for their Women Empowered Seminar.

As a trauma therapist, I spend a lot of time helping women process past experiences and build emotional resilience.

And I also believe in embodied empowerment.

Large research trials on empowerment-based self-defense programs have shown:
• Significant increases in self-efficacy
• Stronger boundary setting
• Reduced fear responses
• And measurable reductions in sexual assault rates

But what makes the difference is how the training is delivered.
Trauma-informed spaces prioritize:
• Consent
• Choice
• Collaboration
• Regulation

When done in a consent-based, trauma-informed way, this kind of training isn’t about aggression.
It’s about agency.
It’s about embodied confidence.
It’s about your body learning, “I can move. I can respond.”

My role at the seminar will be to:
• Offer grounding tools in real time
• Normalize nervous system activation
• Support psychological safety alongside physical skill-building

I believe deeply in holistic healing that is not only cognitive.
Sometimes it’s experiential.

I’m honored to support this space and these women.

02/10/2026

02/09/2026

“I don’t know if it worked…”
followed by:
“…because I literally haven’t thought about it.”
That’s the thing about ART.
When the emotional charge around a memory changes, it often just stops taking up space.
You don’t have to keep revisiting it, managing it, or bracing for it.
When a client realizes they forgot the thing that used to overwhelm them?
That’s often the first sign their nervous system finally feels safe.
ART doesn’t erase the past — it helps clients to stop reliving the painful images over and over.
Find an ART therapist at ARTworksNow.com.

Follow https://www.facebook.com/polly.bauer.568722/

02/08/2026

A Note on My Values and How I Practice 📝

In times of national uncertainty and change, many people are carrying more stress, worry, or fear—sometimes quietly, sometimes all at once.

As a licensed clinical social worker, I want to be clear about the values that guide my work.

I am committed to providing therapy that is grounded in dignity, respect, and inclusion. I strive to create a space where people from many different backgrounds, identities, and life experiences feel safe, heard, and taken seriously.

You do not need to downplay what you’re feeling here.
You do not need to justify why something feels heavy or unsettling.

You do not need to edit yourself to receive care.

At the same time, I also believe deeply in the importance of fit. I may not be the right therapist for everyone—and that’s okay. What matters most to me is that people receive care that truly supports them. I am always open to honest conversations about whether my approach is the right match and whether my values align with your needs. I am committed to helping individuals find the right fit when it’s not me.

In a world that can feel increasingly divided or unsafe, my goal is to offer therapy that is thoughtful, ethical, and compassionate—care that honors your full humanity while respecting your autonomy.

— Jessica Homer, LCSW

02/07/2026

Featured Content: Dr Jessica Taylor. I am loving her take on the harm that is done to women and girls when trauma is treated as pathology. If her content resonates with you and you are looking for a therapist in Nevada or Idaho. I might be a good fit.

02/07/2026

This is something many high-functioning women need to hear.
You don’t have to earn rest or therapy by falling apart first.

If you’ve been considering therapy but telling yourself you should be ‘fine’—this might be your sign.

02/07/2026

🌿 Weekend Wishes

As the weekend begins, my wish for you is something different:

That you notice one small moment that feels good—and let yourself stay there a little longer.

A laugh that surprises you.
Fresh air.
Music you forgot you loved.
A quiet sense of this is okay.

So much of the week is about managing, thinking ahead, and holding things together.
This weekend doesn’t have to be about fixing or recovering.

It can simply be about being here.

Wishing you moments of lightness and presence this weekend,
Jessica 🤍

02/04/2026

Not sure if therapy is the right next step?
You don’t have to decide that yet.

I’m now offering a Focused Consultation Service designed for people who want clarity, direction, and thoughtful guidance—without the pressure of committing to ongoing therapy.

This is a short-term, two-session experience that helps you:
• Make sense of what’s been weighing on you
• Understand how trauma or stress may be showing up in your life
• Identify what kind of support would actually help (therapy with me, a different approach, or something else entirely)
• Walk away with a clear, written summary and personalized recommendations

This is for you if:
✨ You feel stuck but aren’t sure why
✨ You’ve tried therapy before and it didn’t quite click
✨ You want something more intentional than a quick consult—but not long-term therapy
✨ You value clarity, structure, and a nervous-system-informed approach

There’s no pressure to “continue.”
Just space to pause, reflect, and get grounded guidance.

This service may not be a good fit if you’re:
• In crisis or needing immediate mental health support
• Seeking court-ordered evaluations or legal documentation
• Looking for long-term, ongoing therapy right now

If this offering isn’t the right match, I’m always happy to help you explore more appropriate support options.

📍Available in Nevada | Idaho (in-person in Fallon or via telehealth)
🔗 Learn more or book through the link in my bio

01/30/2026

As we move into the weekend, my wish for each of us is a little more grace—especially toward ourselves.
Grace for what didn’t get done.
Grace for the energy we didn’t have.
Grace for being human in a world that asks a lot.
Self-compassion isn’t indulgent.
It’s often what allows us to settle enough to keep going.
Wishing you all a restorative weekend!
Jessica

01/28/2026

Now licensed for telehealth in Idaho!