Meet Jessica Gallo, LCSW | Psychotherapist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jessica Gallo, LCSW and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jessica, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
This is a big question and an important one. Having a greater positive impact is at the top of my professional values list.

My mission is to support people in healing they emotional wounding so that they can show up in their lives and in the world as the best, most aligned version of themselves. When we are able to untangle the messiness of our lives, we are better able to connect in healthy ways in our relationships with our family, spouses, coworkers, and kids. We have an opportunity to pass down wellness to the next generatio rather than trauma. When people are held in secure, healthy relationships and community, they are buffered against the ups and downs of life. Those who are not actively engaged in some process of psychological wellness run the risk of 1) living life with consistent dissatisfaction 2) unintentionally hurting those around them. I want the people I work with to experience more clarity and joy in their lives. When that happens, it radiates outward.

In my practice, I offer individual therapy for women of all ages, as well as, specialized services for mamas. I think supporting men in their emotional healing is also TREMENDOUSLY important work. I have done and will do that work at some point again in the future. But in today’s world, we are realizing more and more how much women have been carrying for us as a society. The obvious and more subtle abuses women have endured have become more and more apparent in the mainstream (even though they have always been present). Living through pandemic life, it has become increasingly clear how heavy the emotional and mental load women are holding in their homes, relationships, and career. In many ways, women have been offering free labor in all of these areas – and they are exhausted. Women are more often plagued by people pleasing tendencies, which can be debilitating for some. This dynamic is taking a significant toll. The good news is we are finally starting to acknowledge and talk about it. When women are supported properly, their relationships, children, workplaces, and families benefit too. Given all this, I feel particularly called to nurture and empower women and mothers right now.

For women transitioning into motherhood and those in the thick of parenting, I also want to support in building community and resources. Modern motherhood has become increasingly isolating with the last few years of the pandemic exacerbating that. No one thrives when mothers struggle. We were not meant to mother alone, but in community. I love supporting people in building a sense of community for motherhood.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
In my psychotherapy practice, Jessica Gallo Therapy, I offer highly customized, holistic, strengths-based individual and group therapy. Additionally, I offer specialized postpartum planning, perinatal referral services, and conscious parenting support. Most clients who are drawn to work with me are 20/30 something women and pregnant and parenting people. With nearly 15 years of experience treating women, young adults, adolescents and children in varied settings, I specialize in trauma (interpersonal and intergenerational), major life transitions, child, adolescent and young adult mental health, perinatal mental health, relationship issues, parenting support, codependency, depression and anxiety. My goal is for every client feels more connected in their relationships and attuned to themselves through our work. I come from an anti-racist and LGBTQI allied perspective.

My private practice has been such a happy accident and really fills me in unexpected ways. I spent a large part of my early professional life working with underserved communities with children and families who had experienced trauma. This experience was profound and meaningful. Through that experience it became so apparent that many of us are walking around with our own unhealed wounding that we transfer unknowingly onto our children – even the most well-meaning of us. My practice now allows me to go upstream so to speak and support preventatively. I have a unique perspective and expertise on child development and childhood trauma, which allows me to provide particularly meaningful support to adults who want to heal from their own childhoods and parents who want to break cycles. We often talk about children being resilient, which they are. That said, many of us are still recovering from the things we had to do in order to survive complex histories. As we become adults, the coping skills we used in childhood are not always adaptive anymore… in fact they can even be detrimental to us.

As I moved towards starting my own family, several circumstances came together that pushed me to open my own private practice. Over time, I felt more and more drawn to supporting young women, as well as, birthing and parenting people. Today, this where I can make the biggest impact. As a working mom who struggled with the transition to motherhood myself, I also wanted more ownership over my time, resources, and creativity. I have enjoyed building my practice and taking the time to intentionally hone in on my vision, values, and goals. Going through this process has allowed me to gain the clarity that my calling is to support people in healing allowing them to pass down a legacy of emotional wellness. The way in which I do that may have shifted over the trajectory of my career, but it is and will always be my north star.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I am a native Angeleno – born and raised – so I have my tried and true favorite places. However, the combination of pandemic living and becoming a mom has allowed me to find new spots to love too! I’ve spent a lot of time in the pandemic being more mindful about the things that fill me with joy and so some of the places that do are definitely included here! Plus, these days most of the places I go have to be kid and/or dog friendly and low key.

Most weekends, rain or shine I’ll make it to the Farmer’s Market in Playa Vista of Mar Vista and I love bringing visitors along. They both have great eats and groceries, but also kid friendly stuff going on so there is something for everyone. One of the things I’ve enjoyed most in the pandemic is distance picnicking with friends/family. Ocean View Park in Santa Monica and the parks in Playa Vista are my go-tos.

Eats: Bianca, Cha Cha Chicken (which is BYOB so fun to eat and drink), Thai Vegan, Ritrovo, Café Vida, Bay Cities Italian Deli, La Vecchia Cuccina, Casablanca, The Firehouse (for breakfast), Flake, Café Gratitude, LA Scala Presto, Superba Food + Wine

Drinks: So a nice cup of coffee gives me life these days. The lavender latte at Flowerboy Project in Venice is delish! Blue Bottle is one of my favs too. Ok, but getting to the good stuff here … Rosenthal Winery in Malibu is such a fun place to bring out of towners to grab some wine, lunch and live music. My personal local watering holes that I more recently discovered and have delish specialty drinks are Joliet and Sol in Playa Vista.

Scenic adventures: I always take out of towners for a drive by or picnic at the bluffs in Pacific Palisades. Zuma Beach and Topanga are awesome spots too. While you’re driving up the coast, Geoffery’s, Malibu Farm, Country Kitchen and Duke’s in Malibu are great places to grab a bite or a drink and take in what I consider the best part of LA. Since we are on the topic of Malibu, The Malibu Café is a must! You can make a day trip out of it – they have great food and drink, but also tons of outdoor games for adults and kids. The property is gorgeous and expansive. I also love a good hiking trail – Temescal is our personal go-to.

Kids activities: We love going to lunch at The Penmar. Their food is delish and the kids can watch the golfers from picnic tables. All of the beaches kids will love of course, but my kid’s favorites are Santa Monica near Ocean View Park (there is an awesome kids playground on the sand there) and Zuma beach. Taking a stroll down in the Marina, you’ll be able to check out seals and let the kids run loose (always a perk). There are tons of museums here – my favorite is The Getty because of their outdoor space and scenic views. The Natural History Museum and LACMA are great options for kids too. My son’s personal favorite would be the Peterson Automotive Museum! It is a bit of a drive, but taking a trip to Underwood Farms is a real treat for the whole fam.

Staycations: The pandemic taught me the art of the staycation. Most recently, my husband and I booked a weekend getaway at Calamigos Ranch. I can’t recommend it enough! It is the perfect marriage of nature and luxury. It’s close enough that it’s easy to pick up and drive there, but far enough (for me) that it feels like you’ve left town. I felt so grounded in nature – you can actually see so many stars at night!! The property, the restaurants, and the spa are unmatched! Fun fact: I learned that Calamigos is a Chumash word that means, “Come as my brother. Come as my friend.”

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Absolutely! Behind every great woman is a bunch of other women cheering her on (if she’s lucky). There is a group of friends and colleagues who were so encouraging when I first felt called to start my business and as it has grown. So shout out to Tandy Parks, parent educator, Molly Nourmand, LMFT, Perinatal Therapist, Rebekah Tayebi, LCSW, Therapist/Parent Coach, Marissa Tunis, PSyD, Therapist/Dating Coach, and Jaclyn Cohen, Rabbi & Board Member at Maternal Mental Health Now. I hold immense gratitude for each of these women and the positive impact they’ve had on me personally and professionally.

Website: www.JessicaGalloLCSW.com

Instagram: @womens.mental.wellness

Facebook: Jessica Gallo, LCSW

Image Credits
Professional photos are by Luis Chavez, La Cuna Photography – Taken for Playa Vista Magazine