How a Therapist Is Paying Down Debt and Healing Her Relationship with Money
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“As a therapist, I know the power of language. Debbie helps normalize money conversations in a way that empowers people, not shames them.”
Who Is Jessica?
Jessica Clark is a California-based mental health professional with over 13 years of experience helping others navigate life’s emotional challenges. In early 2021, she took a leap of faith and launched her own private therapy practice—a bold move that gave her more autonomy, but also introduced new financial pressures.
Today, she works with a team of fellow therapists and spends her free time exploring the outdoors—snowboarding, hiking, and seeking out waterfalls that offer the same kind of peace she helps her clients find.
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What Sparked the Shift?
Starting a private practice was a dream—but the business side came with unexpected stress. Jessica juggled part-time hours at first, but variable income, vague contracts, and surprise costs made financial planning difficult.
“I realized I hadn’t asked the right questions about income guarantees,” she said. “And I wasn’t prepared for how inconsistent the cash flow would be.”
Her business ultimately created more debt than anticipated—and sparked a deeper awareness of how important it was to understand and manage her finances, especially while also supporting aging parents and helping family members.
Jessica’s Big Wins
Jessica joined Debbie in January 2025 after seeing an ad on Facebook. What started as curiosity quickly became a core part of her self-care routine.
She’s since made steady progress toward paying off debt, building a savings buffer, and shifting how she views money—not just as a therapist, but as a person.
“I used to feel shame around finances,” she said. “Debbie helped me reframe that. Now, I can see the patterns, not just the numbers.”
Jessica has been consistently engaged since joining and actively participates in Debbie Fam, a community group within the platform that she finds incredibly supportive.
How Did She Find Debbie?
Drawn in by the app’s behavioral psychology lens, Jessica immediately appreciated that Debbie wasn’t just about budgeting—it was about understanding your relationship with money.
She highlights several features that stand out:
- Non-judgmental, shame-free tone
- Visual progress tracking and easy-to-use interface
- Regular check-ins and behavioral nudges
- Clear blend of financial literacy and emotional insight
As a mental health professional, she sees value in Debbie’s approach not just for herself, but for her community.
“It’s rare to find a financial tool that understands the emotional weight money carries,” she said. “Debbie meets you where you are—and helps you move forward.”
Takeaways
Jessica’s advice is rooted in empathy and experience: Talk about your finances. Ask questions. Be kind to yourself along the way.
“Financial healing is emotional healing, too,” she said. “And we deserve tools that treat it that way.”
With her therapist’s mindset, her growing financial confidence, and a commitment to helping others, Jessica is building a new kind of wealth—one rooted in knowledge, intention, and self-compassion.
Previous financial analyst and investor turned fintech entrepreneur. I Rachel’s experience spans consumer marketing, business development/sales, day-to-day operations, financial modeling/analysis. Rachel started Debbie, an app that uses behavioral psychology and prizes to help you pay off debt for good
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