Jessica VanBuren Curtis, LCSW

Jessica VanBuren Curtis is a licensed clinical social worker with 23 years of experience supporting adults facing grief and major life changes. She creates a calm, steady space for people who feel overwhelmed or who worry others don’t understand what they’re going through. Jessica focuses on listening with care and helping people sort through strong emotions at their own pace.

Jessica commonly works with people who have lost a loved one or who are supporting someone at the end of life. She also helps those managing chronic illness, chronic pain, or caregiving strain. Her practice includes concerns related to aging and geriatric issues, life purpose, self-love, and women’s issues.

Her approach is down-to-earth and practical. Sessions aim to identify the most useful coping strategies for daily life and to build tools that can be used later. Jessica meets people where they are and supports honest conversation, even when the topic is difficult.

Over time many clients report feeling more grounded and connected to themselves. Jessica emphasizes steady progress rather than quick fixes, helping people find ways to carry forward after loss or change. The work centers on understanding what matters to each person and developing plans that fit their real life.

Clients considering work with Jessica are invited to reflect on their needs and goals before beginning. She blends experience with a quiet, compassionate presence to help people navigate hard transitions and find clearer footing.

Therapeutic approaches for grief and life changes

Jessica uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques focused on practical coping and emotional processing. One common approach helps people name and sit with difficult feelings, then find small, usable steps for day-to-day life. This method supports people managing loss, caregiver strain, or chronic illness by breaking larger problems into manageable tasks and emotional check-ins.

Another approach emphasizes building routines and tools that support recovery over time. It includes learning new ways to cope with pain or fatigue, balancing responsibilities, and practicing self-directed care. These strategies are meant to be realistic and fit into each person’s actual schedule and energy levels.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will talk with the client about goals, preferences, and what has or hasn’t worked in the past. Together they will try methods that match the person’s needs and adjust as progress unfolds.

If you are considering online sessions, confirm the current session options before booking since formats are not specified here. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, avoid travel time, and maintain continuity when health or caregiving duties make leaving home difficult. Some people prefer shorter check-ins by phone while others choose video for face-to-face conversation, so ask about format options when you schedule.