Jacosta Parker, LCSW-BACS
Education & Professional Background
I am a proud native of Jefferson Parish and completed my education within the Jefferson Parish Public School System. I went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, with a minor in Children, Youth, and Family Advocacy, from Nicholls State University in 2010. In 2012, I obtained a Master of Social Work degree from Southern University at New Orleans. I am licensed by the Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and am also a Board-Approved Clinical Supervisor.
Professional Experience
Over the course of my career, I have had the privilege of working with adolescents, adults, couples, and families in a variety of settings, from community mental health, where I provided in-home therapy, to school social work and medical social work. Each experience has deepened my understanding of the unique challenges people face and the resilience they bring to the table.
For the past eight years, I have also had the rewarding opportunity to serve as a Clinical Supervisor, guiding social workers as they navigate the path to licensure and helping them shape their professional identity.
Clinically, I specialize in supporting individuals and couples through PTSD, anxiety, grief and loss, parenting challenges, emotional regulation, major life transitions, and relationship struggles. I am passionate about helping clients uncover their strengths, navigate obstacles, and transform challenges into opportunities for growth.
Therapeutic Framework
I am dedicated to providing compassionate counseling services to individuals and families struggling with mental health issues. My goal is to empower clients to achieve their personal and professional goals, and to improve their overall quality of life.
I utilize an eclectic, client-centered approach to therapy, drawing from multiple evidence-based modalities to ensure treatment is both individualized and effective. This flexible framework allows sessions to be tailored to each client’s unique needs, strengths, and therapeutic goals.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT) are central to my work. CBT helps clients identify and change unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to emotional distress, while SFT emphasizes strengths, solutions, and forward momentum. Both approaches are well-researched and effective in addressing concerns such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, emotional regulation challenges, and interpersonal difficulties.
Philosophy and Commitment to Care
What I find most meaningful about my work is witnessing clients recognize their strengths, overcome obstacles, and move toward lives that feel more balanced and fulfilling. I am equally passionate about mentoring fellow social workers as they grow professionally and carve out paths that align with their values and goals. I firmly believe that each person possesses the capacity for growth and resilience, and that therapy can be a powerful space for self-discovery, healing, and transformation.
"Therapy isn't just what I do, it's part of who I am. It's my calling." ~ Jacosta Parker-Hughes, LCSW-BACS