What drew me to a career in therapy is a profound desire to support and guide people who have endured trauma and its lasting effects. Early in my journey, I witnessed how unprocessed trauma—whether from childhood abuse, neglect, or complicated relational dynamics—can shape a person’s sense of self, their relationships, and their ability to feel safe in the world. I wanted to be someone who could hold space for healing, offering understanding, validation, and guidance through the often overwhelming journey of trauma recovery. What drives me in this work is the privilege of witnessing transformation after deep wounding. I am inspired by the courage it takes for females to face painful experiences, process the impact of trauma, and reclaim a sense of agency in their life. There is a profound meaning in helping clients reconnect with themselves, feel safe in their own bodies, and rebuild trust in relationships. My commitment is rooted in compassion and respect, walking alongside individuals as they heal, reclaim their power, and find freedom and resilience beyond their trauma.
During a first session with me, females can expect a calm, welcoming, and nonjudgmental space where the primary focus is on understanding their experiences and what has brought them to therapy. I take time to listen carefully, ask thoughtful questions, and get a sense of the client’s current needs, history, and what they hope to achieve through therapy. We will discuss the therapy process, my approach, and any questions or concerns the client may have. While the first session is largely about building rapport and trust, I may also begin gently exploring key areas of concern, particularly around trauma, relationships, or emotional patterns, to better understand where support is needed. There is no pressure to dive into deep or painful experiences immediately—the pace is always guided by the client’s comfort and readiness. By the end of the session, females often have a clearer sense of what working together will look like, feel heard, and begin to feel a sense of safety and trust that allows deeper work to unfold in future sessions.
I could list my training, certifications, and years of experience—but what matters most to me can’t be captured on a résumé. What matters most is the moment when your nervous system realizes—sometimes for the very first time—that it doesn’t have to brace anymore. The moment when joy can appear, and instead of recoiling or preparing for its loss, your body allows itself to stay with it. When laughter doesn’t trigger fear, shutdown, or the quiet expectation that something will go wrong. When connection feels possible—not because you forced it, but because something inside you finally felt safe enough to remain present. These moments are often quiet. Easy to overlook. But they are profoundly transformative. Healing from complex trauma rarely looks like a dramatic breakthrough. It happens in the subtle, sacred shifts of your nervous system. In the breath that expands a little further than it could before. In the softening of shoulders you didn’t realize were tense. In the realization that you stayed present during something that would once have overwhelmed you. In the growing ability to feel—truly feel—without needing to disappear. These changes are not small. They are proof of your nervous system reclaiming capacities it once had to give up. I hold deep respect for the intelligence of trauma adaptations. The parts of you that became vigilant, numb, guarded, or fiercely self-reliant were not broken—they were protecting you. They organized your internal world to survive when survival was essential. But those same protective patterns can linger long after the danger has passed, keeping your body in a state of readiness that no longer reflects your present reality. Therapy is not about removing those parts. It’s about helping them finally experience enough safety that they no longer need to work so hard. It’s about creating a space where your nervous system can begin to distinguish between past and present. Where the parts of you that had to disappear can slowly and carefully return. Where your body can relearn what it feels like to exist without constant vigilance. This process requires care. Attunement. Patience. And above all, safety. I see the courage it takes to begin this work: to turn toward yourself after years of turning away, to listen to your body after learning not to trust it, to allow yourself to hope for something different. I pay attention to the moments that matter most—the softening of your system, the deepening of your breath, the subtle rise of presence, connection, or ease. Because these moments are not accidental. They are evidence of profound healing. Every time your nervous system chooses presence over protection, even for a fleeting moment, it is reorganizing itself. Every time you stay connected to yourself instead of fleeing from your body, you are reclaiming what trauma asked you to set aside. Healing is not about becoming someone new. It is about helping your nervous system experience what it always needed: consistent safety, steady attunement, and the freedom to exist without bracing for harm. Those moments of softness, presence, and return—they are yours. And it is a privilege to walk alongside you as they unfold.
I am best positioned to serve females who have experienced trauma—particularly complex or relational trauma—and are seeking a safe, compassionate space to process and heal. My clients often carry the weight of childhood trauma, sexual or physical abuse, emotional neglect, incest, or experiences of narcissistic abuse. Many come to therapy feeling stuck in patterns of hypervigilance, self-protection, or relational difficulties, including complicated dynamics with parents, in-laws, or intimate partners. I work with clients who are ready to turn toward themselves after years of having to turn away, who want to reconnect with their body, emotions, and inner life, and who seek a deeper understanding of how their past experiences continue to shape their present. They’re often motivated by a desire to reclaim safety, presence, and authentic connection—with themselves and others. My work is ideal for those who want to move beyond symptom management and explore the root of their struggles, using a trauma-informed, humanistic approach that incorporates Internal Family Systems (IFS), Brainspotting, and experiential techniques. Together, we focus on helping the nervous system relax, the parts of self that were protective to return safely, and the client to rebuild a sense of agency, resilience, and connection in their life.
Brainspotting
Imagine your brain is like a big library." Sometimes, when something really big happens—like something scary, sad, or overwhelming—your brain doesn’t know where to put that memory or feeling. It kind of gets stuck on a shelf all messy. Brainspotting is a way to help your brain clean up that messy shelf. A therapist helps you find a special “spot” with your eyes—like a place you look that connects to that stuck feeling. Weird, right? But it works! When you look at that spot, your brain starts to unlock the feelings, even if you don’t have to talk about it. It helps your body calm down, and your brain sort things out like it was meant to. So Brainspotting is like giving your brain a quiet way to heal and feel better—kind of like how a cut heals without you doing anything, just by giving it the right conditions.
Trauma Informed Care
Sometimes, people go through really tough things that can leave behind big feelings like fear, sadness, or anger. That’s called trauma. It’s like your brain and body remember the hard stuff, even when you want to forget. A trauma-informed therapist knows that those hard things can make it hard to trust, talk, or even feel safe. So they go extra slow, listen really carefully, and never push you to talk about anything before you’re ready. They help you feel calm, in control, and safe while you work through those tough memories—one step at a time.
Person-centered (Rogerian)
Imagine you’re talking to someone who doesn’t try to fix you, boss you around, or tell you what to do. They just really care about how you feel and what you’re going through. In person-centered therapy, the therapist is like a kind, calm guide. They listen without judging you, and they believe you’re the expert on you. That means they think you already have the answers inside—you just might need a little help finding them. It’s like having someone who holds the flashlight while you explore your own thoughts and feelings.
Psychodynamic
Psychodynamic therapy is like being a detective for your own feelings." Sometimes we feel mad, sad, or worried, and we don’t even know why. Psychodynamic therapy helps you look back—kind of like flipping through a photo album in your mind—to figure out where those feelings started. It’s like there’s a secret story going on inside you, and a therapist helps you figure out what’s behind the feelings you have now, especially ones that keep popping up over and over. They help you understand how things from your past—even things from when you were really little—might still be affecting how you feel today. And once you understand that story better, those feelings aren’t so confusing anymore, and you can start to feel more in control.
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Imagine your mind is like a team of characters inside you. Each character has a special job to help you deal with life. Sometimes they work well together, and sometimes they argue. When you "interview parts," you’re having a little talk with each one to learn what they do and how they feel. Here are the main team members: 1. Manager This part tries to keep everything in control. It wants you to do well in school, stay safe, and avoid getting into trouble. It might say things like, "Make sure your homework is perfect!" or "Don’t say that—you’ll get embarrassed!" 2. Firefighter This part jumps in when you feel really upset or scared. Its job is to stop the pain fast—even if that means doing something wild. It might make you yell, play video games for hours, or eat too many snacks to feel better. 3. Exile This part holds big feelings like sadness, fear, or shame. It might feel left out or hurt because of something bad that happened. It usually hides deep inside because it’s afraid of being seen. 4. Self This is the calm, kind, curious part of you. It’s the “real” you who can listen to all the other parts without judging them. When Self is in charge, everyone feels more understood and safe. When you "interview parts," you’re letting the Self talk to each one—asking them what they’re doing, what they’re afraid of, and how they’re trying to help. This helps you understand yourself better and feel more at peace inside. I can do some things with this modality.
2 ratings with written reviews
March 12, 2025
She made me feel comfortable to express my feelings, I cried the majority of the session - but I was able to talk about my trauma that I have faced for 21 years of my life. I am glad I picked Jennifer to be my therapist as I try and overcome these life events from my past.
January 30, 2025
Very understanding, and very knowledgeable about trauma