Her Story
About Jessica
Jessica Candelo is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and dedicated behavioral health professional with a strong commitment to helping individuals navigate challenges, strengthen their emotional well-being, and achieve meaningful personal growth. She has maintained a private practice since 2019, where she provides compassionate, individualized counseling and creates a supportive environment in which clients can feel heard, understood, and empowered. Candelo earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Ashford University in 2017 and her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Troy University in 2019. She has further enhanced her clinical expertise through postgraduate certificates in Addictions Counseling and Counseling Military Populations and is currently in her third semester of a doctoral program in Behavioral Health Care Integration at Arizona State University.
Throughout her career, Candelo has developed broad experience across mental health and substance use services. Prior to establishing her private practice, she worked in a community mental health hospital, where she advanced to the role of Lead Therapist for the substance abuse program. Her professional background includes mental health counseling, trauma-informed care, substance abuse and addictions counseling, and services designed to address the unique needs of military populations. Her areas of specialization include anxiety, ADHD, substance use and addiction, and military mental health. She is particularly passionate about reducing the stigma surrounding mental health and encouraging individuals to view emotional wellness as an essential component of overall health. Her approach emphasizes meeting people where they are, building trust, and providing practical and compassionate support tailored to each person's circumstances.
Candelo is a member of the American Mental Health Counselors Association and brings the perspective of a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, having served eight years in the military. Her commitment to service extends beyond her professional practice through her support of organizations such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), particularly in connection with suicide awareness, and Wounded Warrior initiatives. She attributes her success to consistency and her willingness to meet people where they are, recognizing that meaningful progress often begins with patience, understanding, and genuine human connection. She also encourages others to persevere through difficult seasons, trust themselves, and recognize that they do not have to face challenges alone. In both her professional and personal life, Candelo is guided by the principles of respect, honesty, courtesy, and self-love, values that shape her relationships, leadership, and commitment to helping others achieve greater mental and emotional well-being.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Jessica
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to consistency, adaptability, and a genuine willingness to meet people where they are. I believe in building meaningful relationships, understanding different perspectives, and approaching every situation with professionalism, empathy, and a commitment to achieving positive outcomes.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have ever received is to trust myself. I have learned that confidence in my abilities, judgment, and experience allows me to make thoughtful decisions, embrace new opportunities, and navigate challenges with resilience and purpose.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the industry is simple: keep going. There will be moments when the path feels uncertain or the challenges seem overwhelming, but those moments do not define your journey. When things look dark or you feel as though you are navigating the experience alone, remember that you are not. Stay resilient, trust yourself, seek support when needed, and continue moving forward with confidence and purpose.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge in my field right now is the persistent stigma surrounding mental health. Breaking down misconceptions and encouraging open, honest conversations is essential to creating greater awareness, understanding, and access to support. I see an important opportunity to help foster a more compassionate and informed environment where mental health is treated with the same importance and respect as physical health.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my professional and personal life are respect, honesty, courtesy, and self-love. I believe in treating others with kindness and consideration, communicating with integrity, and maintaining genuine respect for different perspectives. At the same time, I value self-love as an essential foundation for personal growth, confidence, and the ability to show up fully for others.
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