are you who you want to be?
Meet Jillian
I could not be happier that you are HERE. Thank you for taking the first step, I am already so proud of you. I know it might feel like it took everything to get this far… just a few more baby steps, and we can shoulder this together.
As the founder of Hope Crest Counseling, I’m deeply committed to creating a space where healing begins with feeling truly seen, heard, and valued. Rooted in empathy, respect, and collaboration, my approach is holistic and person-centered—honoring the emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual dimensions of each individual’s well-being.
I specialize in working with children (ages 2+), teens, and adults navigating challenges such as anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, ADHD, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), emotional and mood dysregulation, suicidal ideation, self-harming behaviors, and interpersonal relationship difficulties. Whether you're a young child expressing feelings through play, a teen working through social struggles, or an adult finding your voice, I’m here to walk alongside you with compassion and intention. I believe healing extends beyond the individual, and I work closely with families to strengthen communication, build understanding, and create supportive home environments. My goal is to help families grow together with greater empathy, connection, and resilience. Beyond the therapy room, I am extremely passionate about mentoring clinicians, building innovative programs for teens and young adults, and challenging the idea that healing requires becoming someone new — instead, I advocate for integration, wholeness, and reclaiming personal power.
I bring over 23 years of experience in early childhood - working with children, parents, and families, previously served as a Guardian ad Litem, worked as a lead therapist in an Adolescent Intensive Outpatient Program, and have had the privilege of regularly facilitating groups, such as parenting support and education groups. In every role, I strive to create a nurturing, empowering space where clients and their families can grow with confidence and clarity.
Areas of Focus
Sandtray therapy is a powerful therapeutic technique that gives an individual—children, teens, and adults alike, a creative, nonverbal way to process their inner world. Using a tray of sand and a wide selection of miniature figures, clients create scenes or stories that symbolize their thoughts, feelings, and relationships. The therapist observes and gently guides the process, helping clients explore what their sand worlds represent and how these insights connect to their real-life challenges. Sandtray therapy can foster emotional regulation, healing from trauma, improved self-expression, and deeper self-understanding. Many clients find it especially freeing because they don’t have to find the ‘right words’—the sand does the talking for them.
Sandtray Therapy
Creative expression is woven throughout my work as a way to help clients access emotions, stories, and strengths that may not always surface through words alone. Through activities like collaging, role play, painting, writing, and working with materials like Play-Doh, clients are invited to explore their inner world in a hands-on, meaningful way. These experiences can reduce pressure, increase emotional safety, and open new pathways for insight, regulation, and healing. Whether we’re externalizing anxiety through art, practicing new responses through role play, or giving shape to feelings through creative materials, this approach allows therapy to feel both deeply impactful and accessible — especially for children, teens, and those who benefit from learning and processing beyond traditional talk therapy.
