About Jessica Kwerel, LPC, LCPC

As a pet parent and animal lover, I deeply understand the powerful relationship between humans and the animals we love. My counseling approach is a combination of strength-based therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and attachment theory. I describe my counseling style as warm, practical, humorous, and down to earth. My pronouns are she/her.

As a licensed psychotherapist with almost 20 years of experience, I’m a National Board Certified Counselor, a Board Approved Clinical Supervisor, and I’m a verified therapist with Psychology Today. I’m licensed to practice in DC, Maryland, Virginia, and Colorado.

I’ve provided volunteer counseling for both Wendt Center for Loss and Healing and Whitman Walker, and have volunteered with both Capital Caring Hospice and House With A Heart Senior Pet Sanctuary. In addition to providing direct counseling to individuals, couples, families, and students in my private practice and in school settings, I’ve provided mental health support to local veterinary and animal caretaker teams, the Humane Rescue Alliance, and for staff at the Smithsonian National Zoo.

As an expert in this field, I’ve been invited to present workshops and trainings for other therapists and mental health professionals. I’ve been interviewed by The Washington Post, WAMU, The Portland Press Herald, Psychotherapy Networker, The Stubbornly Positive Podcast, and Tails of Connection. I’m also certified as a Pet Loss Grief Specialist through the American Institute of Health Care Professionals.

My most meaningful and significant experience in providing pet loss counseling comes from my own pet loss experience. In 2019, my husband and I said goodbye to his beloved senior dog Tilly. In November of 2020, we said goodbye to my beloved soul dog, Buford. I adopted Buford before I met my husband. Buford was my first dog, my best friend, and my world, and the reason for Pet Loss DC. He was diagnosed with cancer during the pandemic and I was very lucky to get an additional 8 months with him. Navigating his cancer journey during that time was one of the most difficult experiences I have ever gone through. In 2022, we eventually said goodbye to our sweet senior dog Sam. Sam helped me so much in grieving for my beloved Buford. I started my practice in 2019 when I couldn’t find the specific kind of help I was looking for. I knew specialized pet loss support was an underserved area of need in the DMV.

In April of 2022, we adopted a senior hound named Daisy. In July of 2022, we brought home Oliver, a Finnish Lapphund. In February of 2023, we adopted Charlie, an English Springer Spaniel. Welcoming new dogs into our lives has helped me grieve and allowed me to experience a whole new chapter of love, joy, and adventure. I will never love another dog like I could love Buford. But I have learned how to love again, in a completely different way. Buford, Tilly, and Sam come with us on this new adventure and I dedicate my work as a pet loss counselor to them.

I look forward to supporting you, every step of the way.