I spent the first 15 years of my career running into danger - with a clipboard. After a while, I decided that I really wanted to be a part of the solution for the people that were still running into the fray. I saw what trauma did to people, and I couldn't just stand idly by and watch my friends live with the images, and... stuff.... that comes with helping others. So, my practice is literally built on dark humor, empathy, and compassion. Your stories are safe here.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
The first session is like a job interview - with You interviewing Me. That's how this works. You're trying to figure out if I can help you and if I'm a good fit. There are a million of us out there. And honestly, as a very white, cisgendered, heterosexual, middle-aged therapist.... Most of them are like me. But as someone who has been on both sides of the couch, it's a strange process. I've decided against using a particular therapist several times, not because they weren't good people, but just because of the "vibe" or whatever that I got. You'll find someone that you do actually vibe with - that may or may not be me. But, I not so secretly want it be me.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
I bring a lot of humor, empathy, and curiosity into every session. I'm probably the most tenacious optimist you've ever met, and I truly don't think there is a problem that cannot be solved. The solutions are always there: they may not be popular or easy, but they're always there. I take a very "whole person" approach to things as well. Meaning, if we're looking at something like depression, I want to look at your whole self, not just your thought process. No one thing is going to be the solution, usually.
About Jennifer Twilley
Appointments
Virtual
My treatment methods
Couples Counseling
Using a combination of Gottman (which focuses on Communication, Trust, and Curiosity) and Emotion Focused Therapy (which focuses on Feelings and Connection) Couples Therapy is a safe, non-judgmental space where couples can unlearn bad habits, and learn new ways to rekindle their purpose and passion
Compassion Focused
Have you ever just... screwed up? Because, same. Like, in big ways. If I've ever learned anything, I've learned that Shame doesn't actually help anything - Empathy does. People don't screw up just to be assholes - they do it to meet a need and/or desperation. Compassion and Empathy is at the very heart of what I do. This will never be a Judgement Zone. I may hold your feet to the fire; I may call you out on your BS - but I will never shame you into making a decision.
Gottman method
Using Gottman training provides a solid framework for Couples and Family Therapies. After the first few sessions, you'll be redirected to the Gottman website to complete an Assessment. It takes about 15 mins to complete, and provides a 60 page analysis of where the problem areas are, and an excellent map on how to fix them!
Trauma Informed Care
I remember a scene from Monty Python, "Huh, he must be the king." "How can you tell?" "Well, he hasn't got sh** all over him."
Trauma works much the same way. There are those that have had absolutely perfect lives where they've never felt less than, never been judged, never had anything bad happen, etc., and have had a spotless existence. Those people don't usually show up in my sessions, though. The rest of us are survivors. We've seen, done, had things done, and are carrying the weight of it around like a soggy backpack. Trauma Informed Care just means that care never says, "What's wrong with you?" It asks, "What happened to you?"
Family Therapy
Families are the backbone of the very existence of every society - that seems like a hyperbole, but I absolutely mean that. Families are what feels like home; what creates a safe space when the world is falling apart around us; and the place we're desperately looking for our entire lives. Sometimes, though, we get what we call a Symptom Bearer. That's a member of the family that's having issues: the sore throat of the system that gets us to see the doctor. Turns out, there's not a Problem Person; they're just showing that the system is out of balance somehow. The Person isn't a problem; they're a Symptom of a stressed system. Family therapy is not about blame - it's about empathy and compassion coating boundaries and structure.
