Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Hurst.
Hi Jessica, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’ve always known I was meant to be in healthcare. I was accepted into nursing school multiple times, but each time, something inside me hesitated. I deeply respected the nursing profession, but it didn’t feel like my true calling. I wanted to help people heal — but in a way that addressed the whole person, not just the physical symptoms.
At the time, I was working as a Clinical Care Coordinator and Clinical Health Coach, guiding patients through chronic illness management and lifestyle change. I loved supporting people through difficult transitions and helping them reconnect to their own resilience. One day, a colleague suggested that maybe my path wasn’t nursing after all — maybe it was therapy. That suggestion was the spark that changed everything.
When I began my clinical training, I immediately felt at home. Everything I had learned about the mind-body connection through medical care suddenly found deeper meaning in trauma-informed therapy. Over time, I wove together my background in healthcare with advanced training in EMDR, somatic work, and parts work (IFS). That integrative foundation became the heart of my approach — understanding that emotional healing is just as essential to wellness as physical healing.
Rise and Bloom Counseling grew from that vision. What started as a solo practice has now become a space for whole-person healing — combining science, spirituality, and compassion. To me, “Rise and Bloom” is both a philosophy and a promise: that no matter where we begin, we can always rise from the ashes of what’s been and bloom into who we’re meant to be.”
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
“Definitely not a smooth road — but I’ve come to realize that the struggles were part of the becoming.
Starting a private practice from the ground up is both exciting and terrifying. There’s this illusion that once you ‘go out on your own,’ you’ll have more freedom — and while that’s true in many ways, the early stages come with a lot of uncertainty, long hours, and learning curves that no textbook ever prepares you for.
There were seasons where I was doing everything — therapy sessions, billing, insurance paneling, web design, marketing, bookkeeping — all while trying to maintain my own well-being. I was also healing from burnout that came from years of over-functioning in previous healthcare roles, which made it even more important to create a practice that aligned with nervous system balance and sustainability.
Another challenge was learning to trust myself. As a trauma therapist, I help clients rebuild that sense of internal safety — but building a business required me to do the same for myself. There were times I doubted my abilities or felt like I wasn’t moving fast enough, but every obstacle helped refine my vision and deepen my compassion.
What I’ve learned is that growth rarely feels graceful in real time. But each setback — whether it was a financial challenge, a tech issue, or a moment of self-doubt — became a lesson in resilience. Rise and Bloom truly lives up to its name: it’s a daily practice of rising through the hard things and remembering that even in struggle, we are still blooming.”
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Rise and Bloom Counseling is an integrative, trauma-informed therapy practice rooted in the belief that healing happens when we care for the whole person — mind, body, and spirit.
I specialize in EMDR, somatic therapy, and parts work (IFS), helping adults process trauma, anxiety, and the lingering effects of stressful life experiences that often show up as burnout, perfectionism, or disconnection from self. My work weaves together neuroscience, mindfulness, and compassion-based approaches to help clients release what’s been stored in the body and reconnect to their innate capacity for healing.
What sets Rise and Bloom apart is that it’s not just about symptom relief — it’s about transformation. My goal isn’t only to help clients feel “better,” but to help them feel free. I integrate tools from functional and integrative medicine, teaching clients how nutrition, gut health, and the nervous system influence emotional well-being. It’s therapy that honors both science and soul — where clinical precision meets authentic human connection.
Brand-wise, I’m proud that Rise and Bloom reflects warmth and authenticity. The name itself is a metaphor for the healing process: we rise from the weight of our experiences and bloom into who we were meant to be. The Phoenix and Lotus symbolism in my logo represents that same truth — rising from the ashes and blooming through the mud.
Beyond therapy, the brand has expanded to include creative and educational offerings such as the Bloom Notes newsletter, self-guided journals like Loving Me More, and upcoming programs that blend trauma recovery, somatic practices, and self-leadership. I am excited about what 2026 will bring Rise and Bloom. I am moving into a new office space, which gives me the physical space to expand the services offered by the practice and to make room for additional providers and interns to join me in my vision and mission for the practice which is to make mental health approachable, compassionate, and empowering — to remind people that healing is not about becoming someone new, but remembering who you already are.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
What I want people to know — both about me and about Rise and Bloom — is that this work comes from a place of lived understanding, not just professional training.
I’ve walked through my own seasons of trauma, grief, and growth. Those experiences shaped not only the therapist I am, but the environment I’ve created for others to heal in. Rise and Bloom Counseling isn’t a sterile clinical space — it’s a place where people can exhale. It’s a space where your story is met with compassion, your nervous system is honored, and your humanity is never pathologized.
I think what truly defines both me and the practice is authenticity. I don’t believe in pretending healing is linear or that therapists have it all figured out. I believe in meeting people where they are and helping them reconnect to the wisdom already within them.
Professionally, I’m proud that Rise and Bloom continues to grow into something much larger than therapy alone — it’s becoming a holistic ecosystem for healing and growth. Through my books, upcoming workshops, and integrative wellness offerings, my hope is to empower people with the tools to understand and care for their mental health beyond the therapy room.
At its core, Rise and Bloom is about transformation — rising through what was, blooming into what’s next, and remembering that healing is not about perfection, but wholeness.
If there’s one thing I hope readers take away, it’s that healing is possible — no matter how long it’s been or how heavy it feels. You are not broken; you are becoming. Sometimes we just need a safe place and a gentle guide to remind us of that truth.
I’m deeply grateful to do this work and to witness people’s resilience every single day. Whether through therapy, journaling, yoga, or the quiet moments of reflection between sessions, my mission is to help others rediscover their wholeness and rise into the life they were always meant to live.
To anyone reading this who’s in a season of rebuilding — please know that your story isn’t over. You are already rising, and you will bloom again.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://riseandbloomcounseling.com
