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Meet the Clinicians: Jessica Gilbert, LSW, MSW
Jessica Gilbert is thrilled to offer mental health counseling services at Nutley Family Service Bureau (NFSB) – though her path to social work was anything but a straight line.
In fact, Jessica was headed towards a career in television production with 20/20 on ABC. She enjoyed telling people’s stories through a news magazine but often felt the need to insert herself in those stories.
“It was hard for me to simply be a narrator and a translator,” Jessica said. “I felt like I could see certain dynamics that needed to be addressed. I wanted to be in an environment that would allow people to come to me with their story, where I could ask questions, listen to their answers, and work with them to get a better sense of what they could do to change it in a productive way.”<
Already with a bachelor’s degree in American Studies from Cornell University, Jessica returned to school, earning a Master of Social Work from Columbia University.
Jessica worked as a program director and development officer for an agency in New York City that served medically fragile children with serious conditions, such as cancer, blood disorders, and hydrocephalus. She then moved into development roles with two universities before stepping away to start a family.
Jessica’s journey turned to social work as she started a small practice counseling women who were in a similar position – reentering the workforce after having children or making career changes to support their responsibilities and lifestyle as mothers. Then the pandemic hit.
After experiencing the isolation of COVID, Jessica wanted to return to social work and see clients face to face. She found a role as a home care social worker, visiting homebound patients who were receiving nursing care.
“I had the opportunity to see patients who were marginalized,” Jessica said. “They were disconnected emotionally and resource-wise because they were in poor health and homebound. Many had no family or friends to help them. It was satisfying to have the privilege to go into their homes, connect them with resources, and provide mental health support. The work was very meaningful, but I wasn’t able to have as much of an impact as I would have liked because my time with patients was short, usually one or two visits.”
Jessica decided to pursue clinical work in an outpatient mental health setting, which would allow her to build longer client relationships. This led her to NFSB. She was drawn to NFSB as a community-based, mission-based agency that is accessible to clients of all backgrounds and ages, where everyone is welcome and accepted.
“Many of the people I’ve interacted with over the course of my career could have benefited from a place like Nutley Family Service Bureau,” Jessica said. “It’s very rewarding to be able to do the parts of the job that I’ve always wanted to do. I can hear people’s stories and see them for as long as it takes to help them overcome their challenges. I can see them face to face every week and try to help them. This feels like the path I was meant to follow.”
If you or someone you know is struggling mentally and emotionally, contact us at NFSB to schedule an appointment for counseling. Immediate appointments are available with English- and Spanish-speaking counselors and we’ll always respect your privacy. Call 973-667-1884 extension 1 today.
Now FREE and with sign language interpreters:
Join Nutley Family Service Bureau on April 24, 2025, for our first-ever Inclusive Mental Health Symposium on Zoom, a free online event for service providers supporting individuals with mental health challenges and disabilities. Attend select sessions or the full day, with expert-led topics covering care for people who are blind or visually impaired, deaf or hard of hearing, or have intellectual and developmental disabilities. This symposium, funded through a three-year Inclusive Healthy Communities (IHC) grant, reflects the work of community members and partners to improve access and inclusion. Reserve your spot today and join the conversation!
