Jessica Wachs, LCSW, RPT

“Enter into children’s play and you will find the place where their minds, hearts, and souls meet.” – Virginia Axline

My education includes a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education with a Minor in Special Education and a Masters degree in Social Work, both from Indiana University. In the past, I have worked with children from hard places and spent nine years teaching second and third grades in South Bend School Corporation. After seeing firsthand the effects of trauma on children, I decided to go back to school to pursue a graduate degree in order to continue to work with children but in a different capacity.

For the first several years of practicing, I focused my training specifically on children and children’s issues including but not limited to: anger, trauma, attachment, sexual abuse, anxiety, mood disorders, PTSD, grief, and divorce. My passion is working with children who have endured trauma and using the curative power of relationships to inspire healing and growth. I have since expanded my practice to include adults and couples in addition to the work that I do with children, teens, and families.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), a Registered Play Therapist (RPT), trained in Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, IFS (Internal Family Systems) informed, and Level 1 Theraplay trained. I have completed several training courses in couples therapy interventions as well as specific consultation and supervision regarding couples.

In my current role as CEO of The Samaritan Center, I have the unique privilege of helping families not only through direct clinical work, but also by leading an organization committed to compassionate, high-quality mental health care. I am proud of the work we do at Samaritan to support healing, strengthen families, and serve our community.