MysticMag had the privilege of interviewing Jessica Ferrol, a pioneer in holistic mental health counseling. Jessica discusses her path from a psychology graduate to an expert in Ayurveda and somatic therapy, revealing how her passion for the body-mind connection has shaped her unique therapeutic approach. Learn more in her exclusive interview below.
What did your professional beginnings look like and how did you get into this line of work?
Since I was a child, I have seen the interrelatedness of mental health and physical health. After completing my BA in psychology in the mid-90s, I spent 3.5 years intensely looking for a graduate program in which I could study a therapeutic approach based on the body-mind connection. During this time, I fell in love with the practice of yoga and began a yoga teacher training program which naturally led me to Ayurveda. I was thrilled to find a system that resided on the connection of body, mind, and spirit. I began my studies of Ayurveda and yogic psychology in California in 2001 and spent the next 13 years immersed in practicing, teaching, and studying these multifaceted sciences.
Over time, I found that clients were needing more than Ayurvedic and yogic lifestyle guidance…they were needing counseling to work through the barriers to incorporating these changes. I was so pleased to find that I lived in a state where I could study holistic mental health counseling at a graduate school! Since earning my master’s degree in 2017, I have intensely studied several modalities in the somatic therapy field including Hakomi, polyvagal theory, and Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction therapy. All of these theories are rooted in the body-mind connection and provide me with the knowledge to guide clients in returning to their natural state of wholeness.
For those unfamiliar with it, can you explain the Ayurveda holistic healthcare system?
Ayurveda is a holistic healthcare system that has its roots in ancient India. It is established in the interconnectedness of mind, body, and consciousness and in the idea that the purpose of life is to realize your own divinity by realizing the divinity of another. Its main goal is wellness and longevity of life. This is achieved by trusting our natural instincts, remembering that we are a part of this ecosystem, and living in rhythm with nature. Ayurveda offers a deep understanding of each person’s unique body, mind, and consciousness and self-care practices to support mental and physical health.
What can people hope and expect from your Holistic Counseling?
Holistic counseling is guided by the principle that in order to balance the mind, we must work with the body and vice versa. I assist clients in processing emotions and/or traumatic experiences on both mental and physical planes. It is common to experience emotional discomfort such as anxiety or depression… sometimes simultaneously and sometimes separately. These mental states add a negative hue to our perception of reality and create unease in the mind and body. I assist my clients in the mindful exploration of the inner beliefs that fuel these feelings and, in determining if these beliefs are relevant in their present-day experience. I support the client in creating personal mantras and incorporating self-awareness practices that help to shift their perspective to a more positive, true interpretation of reality.
You also offer herbal care. What can you tell me about that part of your work?
My herbal care line is formulated with the wisdom of Ayurvedic principles and Western herbalism. Herbal medicines are used to alleviate symptoms and in conjunction with lifestyle practices that support healthy digestion, sleep, and exercise. My complete herbal care line will be available online this August!
What is Hakomi and how does it work?
The Hakomi process occurs through mindful observation and the knowing that change is possible only when there is a feeling of safety and connection, allowing the nervous system to be at ease and therefore, be flexible. Within this context, you can identify patterns of thinking and how they emerge through your physical expressions.
I use these methods in my counseling style to help the client release patterns that are life-limiting and to create space for something new…something more authentic to their true self.
To learn more about Jessica and her work, you can visit www.jessieswhole-isticcare.com
