Jay Soto, Resident in Counseling, Fairfax, VA

Jay is a Mental Health Counseling Resident who provides individual therapy to youth and young adults. He incorporates a trauma-informed, person-centered approach with psychodynamic theory and has a focus on mindfulness and the mind-body connection. Jay takes an experiential approach to therapy, knowing that traditional talk therapy doesn’t always work for everyone. He integrates creativity, play, and activity to encourage self-discovery and helps clients with a variety of struggles including self-esteem, identity, depression, anxiety, trauma, and more. He believes the client is the expert in their own life and works collaboratively to empower clients to meet their goals and therapeutic needs. Jay enjoys working with clients with ADHD, Autism, and those going through life transition, including starting a new school, career, or relationship.

 

In session, Jay strives to create a warm, nonjudgmental, and collaborative environment where clients feel safe to explore their experiences at their own pace. He values authenticity, humor, and curiosity in the therapeutic process, and encourages clients to bring their whole selves into the space. Jay believes that healing and growth happen through connection, and he works to build a strong therapeutic relationship rooted in trust and mutual respect. 

 

Jay is a graduate of the University of South Florida, where he received his Masters in Clinical Mental Health and Rehabilitation Counseling. He has a minor in Queer and Sexuality studies and enjoys working with the LGBTQ+ community. For five years, he worked alongside youth with risk-taking behaviors and their families in both a Juvenile Justice and preventative settings. He has additional clinical experience addressing issues including substance abuse in youth and adults, housing insecurities in families, and providing individual vocational assessments for clients with physical, intellectual, emotional, and developmental disabilities. 

 

Outside of the office, Jay enjoys gardening, going hiking, reading horror novels, playing Dungeons and Dragons with his friends, and baking sourdough bread.