Hello! I am Jennifer Curtin and I am thrilled you have made the decision to focus on what matters most in this life -- you! I am a queer therapist who has had about 14 years as a private practice and outpatient therapist. I received my Master of Science in Clinical Psychology from Benedictine University and have invested the majority of my clinical training in working with LGBTQ+ folks, trauma and relationship systems. I use a warm, humorous and light style that incorporates science, humanness and understanding into every session. I am deeply committed to gender affirming, minority stress informed , trauma informed care. I am truly excited to work with you.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
Your first session will be all about making you feel comfortable and understanding what to expect in every session. First, I'll ask you what you would like to focus on in your work. If you aren't sure where to start, I use a gentle, curious approach to learning all about you to help identify some potential areas to start. Then, we work together to find an approach that works best for you. The most important ingredient in effective therapy is a strong bond between client and therapist. My aim is to make you feel safe, help you understand what therapy is and is not and ensure we are a good fit. I love to joke with my clients that this should be the best hour of your week.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
I have a really unique way of taking evidence-based treatments and effective plans and translating them into a conversational, relational approach. You might recognize the strategies and tools from other therapists, but the way I deliver aims to make every part easy to apply in every day life. I use humor, life experience and science in my approach and many of my clients feel seen and heard immediately. I work exceptionally well with transgender folks and their families as well as people coming out and into identities across all ages and stages.
About Jennifer Curtin
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VirtualMy treatment methods
Trauma Informed Care
My approached to therapy is deeply rooted in trauma informed care. Instead of asking "what's wrong with you", I work through the lens of "what's happened to you" to determine the origins and physiology of how you are experiencing life right now. Through this approach, I also strive to help you understand our choices and behaviors. In a world that is post-covid and politically charged, trauma is present in many systems. Where you fall within the system has a clear impact on your ability to live your best life. I work from a minority stress lens, using a conversational approach that can sometimes incorporate in EMDR, Internal Family Systems and Cognitive based therapies to heal based on an individual person's experience and needs.
Gender-affirming therapy
I am a WPATH trained gender affirming therapist that has been serving transgender children, adolescents, adults and relationships for the majority of my career. I use an informed care basis for supporting a person's right to access gender affirming care, both medical and psychological. My approach is warm, understanding and educated and I am constantly aware of my privilege as a cisgender queer therapist. My focus is on helping people become their authentic selves in whatever way that leads to congruence in mind and body. I am a trusted provider that has nurtured a relationship with Robert H. Lurie Childrens Gender Clinic among other medical and psychological providers in Illinois. I conduct gender affirming assessments, provide letters of support for transgender medical care and work with a large network of medical, not for profit and other trans affirming providers that can help you on your journey.
Attachment-based
Being a trauma informed therapist, I work with a person's early attachment experiences to help them see how their attachment style influences their thoughts, behaviors, and relationships. Understanding the "why" is often a critical piece of healing wounds that lead to more positive relationships and deeper intimacy. Understanding your attachment style is also key in helping clients learn to self soothe, love themselves and nurture their way to a healthier life.
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