I have a Master's of Counseling and am licensed by the State of Ohio as a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor. I started out working with youth in intensive day treatment and then spent several years working with both youth and adults on a wide variety of issues. When I work with a child, I like to include the parents as much as possible to equip them to create the right environment at home for their child's mental health needs. When I work with adults, I use a strengths- based approach to develop solutions that will work best for each individual.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
Our first session is different from all those that follow. I will explain some things about telehealth and confidentiality. I will ask for the version of your story you are easy to tell me so far. We will explore your symptoms and needs, and then develop a plan. If you don’t know what you want from therapy yet, we will start with what you do know, and work together from there.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
I am creative, quirky, and often surprise people with my authenticity, humor and ability to kindly tell it like it is. I like to meet people where they are and develop a partnership to get them where they want to go. I am active in session, taking the time to listen and understand but also work toward solutions, present challenging questions, help you move forward when the time is right.
Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.
I have made the most difference in the lives of people who are truly interested in the process of therapy. You may not know what changes you need, but if you are willing to fight for your healing, for restoration and future, I will be there with bells on (not literally, well, probably not literally…)
About Jen McCowan
Appointments
Virtual
My treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people examine their thoughts and feelings in order to develop more healthy and effective behaviors. Many of us struggle to identify what we are feeling and end up making decisions based on those feelings, instead of using facts and calm problem solving to move forward. This is a simple but powerful set of techniques that can lead to better understanding of one's own emotions, and the development of better habits.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
Similar to the Serenity Prayer, ACT helps people to accept the things that they cannot change, and commit to changing what they can. Using this treatment method, I also help people realize their own priorities and make decisions to move forward based on what's really important - instead of making decisions based on pain, fear, and other struggles. Another vital part of ACT is learning to be aware of one's thoughts without being afraid of them or giving them too much power, which can provide a lot of relief to those struggling with intrusive or racing thoughts.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
DBT focuses more on dealing with difficult emotions in the moment, and can be more effective for crisis situations. Using DBT, I help people build awareness of both their emotions and their bodies, in order to know when hunger, fear, pain, or exhaustion might be making it harder than usual to manage stressors. Using this method, people can learn to hit the pause button before accidentally making a bad situation worse. This method also include effective conflict management and boundary setting skills to better manage tricky relationships.
Experiential Therapy
At the heart of depression, anxiety, and dread often lies big questions about life - what is my purpose? Have I done enough? AM I enough? I'm "this many" years old and I have nothing to show for it! Many people worry that they are living day to day and not "earning" enough, not worthy enough, or not making a big enough difference in the world. This underlying fear about what legacy we are leaving as we age causes stress and panic in almost every stage of life, from adolesence through old age. I help people talk through these big, intimidating questions to come to healthy conclusions.
