Jessica Whalen
About Jessica Whalen
Jessica Whalen is a Therapeutic Assistant II at Veritas Collaborative, LLC in Chapel Hill, NC, where she has worked since 2019. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology/Anthropology and a Master of Social Work from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Work at Veritas Collaborative
Jessica Whalen has been employed at Veritas Collaborative, LLC as a Therapeutic Assistant II since 2019. In this role, she implements crisis intervention techniques to ensure patient safety within a 24/7 residential setting. She actively collaborates with clinical teams and other frontline staff to facilitate effective treatment outcomes. Additionally, she leads Goal Setting therapy groups, assisting patients in establishing short-term SMART goals. Her work is centered around supporting patients through meals and managing emotional dysregulation, utilizing principles of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).
Education and Expertise
Jessica Whalen earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and Anthropology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, completing her studies from 2015 to 2019. She furthered her education by obtaining a Master of Social Work (MSW) from the same institution, graduating in 2022. Her academic background provides her with a strong foundation in psychological principles and social work practices, which she applies in her current role at Veritas Collaborative.
Previous Work Experience
Before her current position, Jessica Whalen gained diverse experience in various roles. She worked as a Student Therapist Intern during the Gil Internship at Veritas Collaborative for four months in 2018. Additionally, she served as a School Social Work Intern with the Wake County Public School System for nine months from 2020 to 2021. Earlier in her career, she was a Crew Member and Shift Leader at Dairy Queen from 2015 to 2018, and she also held an Education Intern position at Kidzu Children's Museum for nine months in 2017.
Skills and Techniques
In her role as a Therapeutic Assistant II, Jessica Whalen employs various therapeutic techniques to support patient care. She is skilled in crisis intervention, ensuring patient safety in a residential environment. Her approach includes coaching patients through meals and addressing emotional dysregulation, primarily using Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) principles. Additionally, she leads therapy groups focused on goal setting, helping patients create achievable short-term objectives.