Jacquelyn Jacona is a Marriage and Family Therapy Intern Trainee at Once Upon A Time, currently completing her Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy at UMass Global. She is passionate about helping individuals, couples, and families navigate life’s challenges with curiosity, compassion, and practical tools for growth.

Before pursuing a career in mental health, Jacquelyn worked for many years in the medical field, where she gained a deep appreciation for the human capacity to adapt and heal, both physically and emotionally. Over time, she found herself drawn to the emotional side of healing and inspired by the profound impact therapy can have on people’s lives. Witnessing those around her transform through support and self-understanding led her to realize that life doesn’t have to feel like a constant struggle, and that meaningful change is possible at any stage.

Jacquelyn’s clinical approach focuses on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Internal Family Systems (IFS), allowing her to meet clients where they are while helping them explore the connection between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. She believes that our internal world is made up of many parts, each carrying its own story and intention, and that listening to those parts with compassion can lead to greater self-awareness and balance. By identifying the values that guide each person’s life, Jacquelyn helps clients create clarity around their goals and take steps toward living in alignment with what matters most to them.

Grounded in warmth and authenticity, Jacquelyn strives to create a space where clients feel genuinely seen and supported. She approaches therapy as a collaborative process, one that honors each individual’s strengths, resilience, and capacity for growth.

Her sessions often weave in mindfulness, emotional regulation, and self-compassion practices, encouraging clients to develop a deeper understanding of themselves and the patterns that shape their relationships.

Jacquelyn works with a wide range of clients and is passionate about supporting those navigating anxiety, life transitions, relationship stress, and trauma-related experiences. Her medical background informs her sensitivity to the mind-body connection and the impact of stress and trauma on overall wellbeing. She values the opportunity to work alongside clients as they reconnect with their sense of purpose and rediscover hope, meaning, and direction in their lives.

Outside the therapy room, Jacquelyn enjoys spending time outdoors, traveling, and connecting with friends and family. She brings that same sense of curiosity and presence to her work with clients, believing that therapy is not only about healing pain, but also about creating space for growth, creativity, and joy.