jamaica’s story

Hi! I’m Jamaica  (she/her/they/them). 

I am an Associate Marriage, Couples and Family Therapist. I grew up in Northern Michigan, but feel at home amongst Oregon’s trees and mountains. For me, nature provides a respite from living in a world of human expectations, so I hit the trails or paddleboard in my free time. Additionally, I have studied dance, theater and am a certified yoga teacher. I believe movement and expressive arts can be an important part of exploring one's identity and healing where there are no words. 

I have a deep passion for helping youth and individuals process experiences in creative and expressive ways that are unique to them. This is why I initially transitioned from a preschool teacher to a therapist. I have also discovered my passion for working with couples and families to create deeper connections, communication, and increasing playfulness.   

Now for the professional stuff....

I hold a Master’s degree in Marriage, Couples, and Family Therapy from the University of Oregon. My areas of academic focus include childhood trauma and sexual abuse, narrative and expressive art therapies, somatic or body-based techniques, mindfulness techniques, play therapy, and relational dynamics. I received my undergraduate degree in Interdisciplinary Studies at Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado. There, I studied contemplative psychology, performance art, and yogic philosophy. My clinical experience includes working from a trauma-informed lens with individuals, couples, youth, and families ranging from 5-62 years old. I have experience working with families in crisis, as well as those who experience ADHD, anxiety, depression, exploring gender identity, substance use recovery, and mood disorders. In my previous professional experience, I’ve been a preschool teacher and yoga instructor, specifically working with kids and elders. I operate from a systemic perspective and utilize Narrative and Emotionally Focused Therapy models to address dominant social messaging which explores power dynamics. I specialize in childhood trauma, somatic-experiencing, mindfulness techniques, and play therapy. 

Showing up and seeking support can be hard, so I am glad you have found yourself here! There is no normative way to live one’s life, so being-client centered, collaborative, and interdisciplinary is necessary in my clinical approach. My role is to help identify areas of change and support you through this process by focusing on practical, sustainable steps. You are the expert of your life, so I like to approach therapy with curiosity and presence. 

I aim is to get curious about your life challenges and understand their ultimate message so I can tailor a therapeutic plan right for you. This also means acknowledging the dominant social narratives like systemic racism, sexism, or classism that exists and identifying areas where you can be authentically you. My approach is systemic and trauma-informed, which seeks to understand your personal experience and identity within the context of your life. In our process together, I will offer a strengths-based approach and a calm presence to assist you on your healing journey.

I am supervised by Shannon MacMinn, LMFT, and Sarah Poulisse, LCSW.

See our fees and insurance page to determine if Jamaica is in network with your insurance plan.

You can reach Jamaica directly at jamaica@sprouttherapypdx.com