Dr. Jessica Thomas is a therapist, author, educator, and AAMFT clinical supervisor whose work sits at the intersection of mental health, grief, and psychospiritual development. She holds an MS in Marriage and Family Therapy and a PhD in Psychology with an emphasis in Transpersonal Psychology. She is longtime board member of the Northwest Association for Death Education and Bereavement Support, and currently serves as Co-Chair for the AAMFT Spirituality in Clinical Practice group. She served as a hospice volunteer and an advocate for Death Cafés, helping normalize thoughtful conversation about mortality.
As a professor at Lewis & Clark College, Dr. Thomas designs and teaches coursework on death and grief, psycho-spiritual development and counseling, research methods, and clinical supervision. Her research explored mindful photography and anticipatory loss, which led to the development of Within and Without™, a therapeutic mindful-photography program that supports people navigating grief after a death and through major life transitions.
Dr. Thomas offers professional and community workshops, presentations, and talks on death and grief, transpersonal psychology, and the Within and Without™ method. She is the author of Choosing Light: Transforming Grief through the Practice of Mindful Photography and Self-Reflection.
Transforming Grief, One Conversation at a Time
Grief Out loud Ep. 110: Mindful Photography & Grief - Dr. Jessica Thomas, PhD
When Is It Time? Understanding Disenfranchised Grief Associated with Pet Loss and Euthanasia
Exploring Anticipatory Grief and Bereavement Through Mindful Photography
Integrating Spirituality in Psychotherapy: A Path Toward Resilience and Transformation
Treatment Issues in Death, Loss & Grief: A Systems Perspective
Integrating Spirituality in Psychotherapy
Personal Statement
As a death and grief educator and therapist, I am passionate about expanding the ways in which we engage in conversation around death and dying. I strongly believe that exploring one’s own grief and loss experiences and sharing those experiences in community with others can promote a healthier society.
Areas of Expertise
Death, dying, and grief; psycho-spiritual development; post trauma growth; transpersonal psychology; clinical education and supervision
Publications
Contemplative Approach to Family Systems. Sourcebook of Buddhist College Chaplaincy. Sumeru. (2025)
Presentations
Aesthetic Interventions For Grief, National End-of-life Doula Alliance (2025)
Distress From Environmental Change, Kansas Counseling Association (2025)
Exploring Anticipatory Grief, National End-of-life Doula Alliance (2025)
Choosing Light, Grief Talks Conference (2024)
When Is It Time? Understanding Disenfranchised Grief Associated with Pet Loss and Euthanasia, Lewis & Clark, Portland, Or (2023)
Choosing Light: Transforming Grief Through The Practice of Mindful Photography & Reflection On Self Made Images, University of Bath- Centre for Death & Society, Bath En (2023)
The Art & Science of Relationships: Cultivating Deeper Connections, Community Talk, Portland Or (2023)
Introduction to Transpersonal Psychology: Exploring Developmental Models and Transformative Practices, Lewis & Clark, Portland Or (2022)
Utilizing the Practice of Mindful Photography and Journal Writing to mediate the Experience of Anticipatory Loss, Psychology and the Other Conference, Cambridge Ma (2021)
Integrating Spirituality in Psychotherapy, Lewis & Clark, Portland Or (2020)
The Transformative Power of Grief, Oregon Memorial Association, Portland Or (2019)
Mindful Photography and End-of-life Caregiving, University of Bath, Bath Eng (2019)
Exploring Anticipatory Loss Through Mindful Photography, NW ADEBS, Portland Or (2019)
Navigating Power Dynamics In Clinical Supervision, Lewis & Clark College, Portland Or (2019)
Mindful Photography & End-of-life: An Art-based Phenomenology, OHPCA Conference, Bend Or (2018)
Mindful Photography Grief Group, The Dougy Center, Portland Or (2018)
Integrating Spirituality in Therapy, Lewis & Clark College, Portland Or (2018)
Mindful Photography and End-of-life, Lake Oswego Or Community Center (2017)
Mindful Photography and End-of-Life Caregiving, ADEC Conference, Portland Or (2017)
Grief, loss and Addiction, Cedar Hills Hospital, Portland Or (2017)
Treatment Issues in Death, Loss & Grief: A Systems Perspective, Lewis & Clark College, Portland Or (2017)
The Experience of Loss Associated with Cancer, NW Primary Care, Portland Or (2016)
Death Café, Lewis & Clark College, Portland Or (2016)
The Experience of Grief and Loss, NW Primary Care, Portland Or (2016)
Mindful Photography and End-of-life Care, Friends University, Wichita Ks (2016)
Death: Ok, Lets talk about it, Reed College, Portland Or (2015)
Psychology and Other Conference, Lesley College, Cambridge Ma (2015)
Academic Credentials
PhD Psychology— emphasis in Transpersonal Psychology
MS Marriage and Couple Family Therapy