Member Spotlight: Dr. Jessica Tomasula
Name: Jessica Tomasula, PhD
License #: 4910
Bio: Dr. Tomasula received her undergraduate degree in psychology and sociology from Bucknell University. She earned her doctorate in Health Psychology with a specialization in pediatric school psychology from East Carolina University. Dr. Tomasula completed her predoctoral internship in specialized educational settings within North Carolina (NC)’s public school systems. Her postdoctoral fellowship was completed in the pediatric integrated primary care setting at a Federally Qualified Health Center in NC. Her professional interests include family-based behavioral interventions for health and wellness, motivational interviewing, coping with chronic health conditions, parent training, sleep disturbances, suicide prevention, and integrated care. Dr. Tomasula is a member of The Obesity Society, American Psychological Association, the National Register of Health Service Psychologists, and the North Carolina Psychological Association. Dr. Tomasula is the owner of LiveWell Psychology PLLC and has been with WakeMed since 2017, providing clinical care to patients and families in WakeMed Physician Practices.
What attracted you to the field of psychology? “I'm a very curious person, so I find people to be really fascinating, and I wanted a career that aligned with my value of helping others. I wanted to be in a helping profession, and I know that I'm going to be a lifelong learner, and that people are fascinating to me.”
What do you enjoy most about your work? “A lot! I am really honored when people share their raw feelings and inner thoughts with me. I like that my work puts me in a position of being able to watch people make changes in their lives that leave them more fulfilled. I like that I look forward to coming to work every day, and I'm never bored. It's never the same, because people change every day.”
What advice would you give someone who is considering getting a degree in psychology? “I get asked this question a lot. People from work will ask me to do Zoom calls with their kids who are either just about ready to graduate from college or asking about graduate school (e.g. should I go into psychiatry or psychology, etc.). I always recommend that they do their research, that they shadow people, that they think about what their goals are, what kind of work they really like to do, or what population they like. If they know some of those answers, and if they don't that's fine, but I like to emphasize the point that you have to know how long you can tolerate delaying gratification because getting a psychology degree is long and difficult. I try to make sure that they understand what I'm doing today, is not what I did in my almost 10 years of training. There's a long road to getting to a position that they see people doing today. Also, that it is a career that requires, or it bodes well if you are a lifelong learner, because you have to keep up with your CEUs. I think it would be a drag if you're the kind of person who isn't interested in professional development and continuing education. I highlight that it is an ever-evolving field and that you do need to keep up with it.”
When you are not working, what do you enjoy doing? “I really like spending time with my friends and family and laughing as often as possible. I think that's because I work with people who are having a lot of difficulties. I really enjoy watching comedians, watching comedies, or just really laughing with my friends and family, trying not to take myself too seriously.”
What is something about you (a fun fact) that not many people know? “That I grew up in a one stop light town in West Virginia until my family moved back to Pittsburgh when I was in 4th grade. My whole family is from Pittsburgh, but we had a small stint in a rural town of West Virginia.”
If were not a psychologist, what would you do? “I think I would be a writer, and I think it would be working in some capacity with kids because I think they're fun and funny. I think I'd be a fiction writer, although honestly, I was a writing tutor in college, so I think just being in the literary field. And if I was interested in a topic, I definitely understand why there are science writers. I think that I could potentially write for a topic of interest in my field, but then it would also be interesting to see where my creativity would take me. I think it's a brave thing to do to see where your creativity takes you-to start with nothing and end up with a book.”
What is the next place on your travel bucket list? “Costa Rica. My husband and I have been trying to get there for an anniversary.”
What are you currently reading or listening to? “I’m re-reading James Clear’s “Atomic Habits” and listening to business-related podcasts since I recently opened my private practice.”
What is your favorite word and why? “‘Change’, because whenever I'm having a difficult moment or season in life, I remind myself that the only thing that's constant in life is change. I literally say that to myself over and over again and I find it comforting. Also, it's a great reminder for me that, in my position, I get to watch people go through the process of making changes that lead to their lives being more fulfilled or a positive in some way. Change is all around me. Sometimes it's challenging or it's exciting, but it is constant, which is why I have learned to embrace it.”
What is your least favorite word and why? “’Whatever’ because it's really dismissive and it doesn't add anything to the conversation.”