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Jes Dimas
Therapy with Jes
Do you feel like you want therapy, but hate the idea of being in therapy? Are you looking for a chill, open-minded therapist who will understand that you sometimes use dark humor to get through life? Is sharing Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X posts your primary way of communicating and connecting with others? If so, I might be the therapist for you.
My name is Jes and I use they/he pronouns. I am a Two-Spirit, Mexican Indigenous person of color (PoC) who is a member of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. I have lived experience with sex work, open relationships, situationships, non monogamy, polyamory, kink, BDSM, stimulants, and psychedelics.
I understand very well the value of being able to sit across from someone who looks like you, shares some of your life experiences, and "gets" many of the everyday challenges that come with being "different" or "othered" in some way. My goal as a therapist is to provide a welcoming and safe environment for you to sit across from me, be open and honest, cuss like a sailor, assist, advocate for, and stand alongside you as you do the work to make the changes you are seeking in your life.
Services are offered through TeleHealth statewide in Oregon and Washington with limited in-person availability in our downtown Salem office.
Office hours are Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays
10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
MY SPECIALTIES:
GENDER-AFFIRMING CARE
Finding a safe and affirming place to discuss gender and gender identity can be a challenge! When it comes to my work with individuals and couples exploring their identity, I often hear how isolated and unsupported people feel as they navigate how to be true to themselves and what they are feeling inside.
I may be able to help you with:
The coming out process
Mental health counseling for individuals aged 18 or older
Relationship therapy for couples and multiple partners
Resources and guidance in establishing identity
ANXIETY AND LIFESPAN TRANSITIONS
I specialize in helping people adjust to challenges like:
instability and uncertainty as the new norm
workplace issues and changes in employment
changes in household composition, roles & relationships
cross-cultural adaptation with immigration / work relocation
leaving home to attend college
conflict arising from attachment or communication styles
a new diagnosis
suicide attempt by a close friend or family member
... and COPE with situations and feelings like:
self-doubt / stigma, discrimination, racial stress
excessive worry
shame
COUPLES AND RELATIONSHIP THERAPY
Relationship dynamics evolve over time -- with career changes, financial stress, starting and raising a family, aging, and life transitions, to name a few. Sometimes a major disruption or break in trust, like, an affair, hidden financial transactions, or habitual lying can bring things to a crisis point.
While many relationships can navigate problems on their own, others may feel stuck, overwhelmed, hopeless, and unsure of what to do. Counseling may be useful in that an experienced therapist can provide an outside perspective to help people hear and understand each other’s thoughts and feelings about the situation, even if it means a major transition or end to the relationship.
My approach in working with people is tailored to each individual relationship and circumstance, but typically includes a systemic and attachment-based perspective. Some of the work may include concepts from Gottman Method Couples Therapy and Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy. Over time, I have found these frameworks useful in addressing past experiences that have unintentionally been brought into relationships, improving communication, and setting a foundation for a successful relationship in future years.
I see clients who represent a spectrum of relationship types.
My practice is a balanced mix of heterosexual couples and those in 2SLGBTQIA+, mixed-orientation, polyamorous, and non monogamous relationships.
MY APPROACH
I STRIVE TO CULTIVATE A SAFE and WELCOMING SPACE of COMPASSION and CONNECTION.
As a mental health professional focused on how systems and the environment impact wellness, I am committed to equity, inclusion, and social justice.
Part of my therapy approach includes unpacking culture and context with symptoms and diagnosis, along with exploring racial trauma as a potential area of traumatic experiences.
Our language and words are important. Sometimes, language has limitations that only cussing can resolve. I am a strong supporter of using foul language in therapy. I have found that cussing can allow clients to form a deeper connection with the process of therapy. As long as our language is not directed at each other, or is being used in a derogatory, demeaning, or abusive way, please feel free to cuss if that's what you need to do. I promise to do the same.
My practice is rooted in values of Health at Every Size, sex-positivity, 2SLGBTQIA+ affirming, harm reduction, trauma-sensitivity, anti-oppression, and anti-racist practices. I affirm and support non-monogamy, polyamory, and kink; and I am allied with those who are currently or formerly engaged in sex work -- especially parents.
I USE A PERSONALIZED, STRENGTHS-BASED APPROACH TO THERAPY THAT'S TAILORED TO YOUR UNIQUE NEEDS.
I work collaboratively and holistically with the individuals I serve to develop concrete measures of progress toward their identified goals.
I USE LIFE SKILLS TRAINING AS A KEY PRACTICE to HELP YOU BUILD RESILIENCE and CAPACITY FOR:
budgeting your physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual energy
increasing in-the-moment awareness of your thoughts, feelings, and mindset
recognizing your strengths and "thickening" your perspective
METHODS AND THERAPEUTIC FRAMES OF REFERENCE I DRAW UPON INCLUDE:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cultural Sensitivity
an Eclectic approach
Family / Marital therapies
the Gottman Method
a Multicultural approach
Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)
Strengths-Based perspective
MY TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE
EDUCATION
MSW, Portland State University
BA, Human Development, Washington State University
ADDITIONAL TRAINING
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Gottman Method Couples Therapy
LICENSURE
Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Oregon (L8221)
Licensed to independently practice clinical social work in the states of Oregon (L8221) and Washington (LW60993977)
EXPERIENCE
Gender-affirming care
Letters of support for hormone therapy and gender-affirming surgical interventions for adults.
Polyamory, non monogamy, and relationship anarchy
Exploring and navigating kink and BDSM identities
Sex work
Indigenous life and health
Career counseling
Human resources administration
EAP (Employee Assistance Program)
Child and family therapy
School social work
Administration
Social justice advocacy
Community mental health
Private practice
AFFILIATIONS
Clinical Social Work Association (CSWA)
Washington Mental Health Counselors Association (WMHCA)
World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH)
I am a licensee in good standing to practice clinical social work in the states of Oregon and Washington.
I uphold the ethical values and standards of the National Association of Social Workers.
INSURANCE
I am an in-network provider for the following plans:
Aetna (except Medicare)
Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO (except TriWest)
First Choice Health Network (NOT First Health)
Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
Health Spending Account (HSA)
InterCommunity Health Network (OHP)
Kaiser Permanente Northwest (Oregon and SW Washington)
Lyra Health
Meritain Health
Moda (except Legacy)
Optum (except Medicare)
Oregon Health Plan (OHP) Open Card
PacificSource (including Legacy Employee Plan)
PacificSource Community Solutions (OHP)
Providence Health Plans
Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oregon (except Legacy and TriWest)
Samaritan Health (including OHP)
UnitedHealthcare (except Medicare)
Yamhill Community Care (YCCO)
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