LISW, 8 years of experience
New to Grow
I’m Jen, a compassionate Licensed Independent Social Worker dedicated to helping you find clarity and healing. With over 7 years of experience in counseling and 18 years of working in child welfare, I bring a wealth of knowledge and a heartfelt commitment to support your emotional well-being. I believe mental health care should be collaborative. I believe you are the expert of your own story, equipped with unique strengths to overcome life's challenges. Seeking a more fulfilling life takes courage, and I am here to support and empower you on that journey. Together, we will explore your thoughts, develop coping strategies, and work towards meaningful changes. I believe you are the expert of your own story, equipped with unique strengths to overcome life's challenges. Seeking a more fulfilling life takes courage, and I am here to support and empower you on that journey. Together, we will explore your thoughts, develop coping strategies, and work towards meaningful changes.
At our first session we will discuss your reasons for seeking therapy, talk about your personal history, family history and what you hope to accomplish in therapy. We will use the appointment to begin to get to know each other .
As a therapist, my extensive background and diverse experiences uniquely position me to provide exceptional support to my clients. With over 18 years of experience in child welfare and 4 years as a Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW), I bring a deep understanding of the complexities and challenges that individuals face, particularly those in vulnerable populations. Having worked in various settings across Ohio—including Cleveland, Lancaster, and Athens, as well as through virtual platforms—I have developed a broad perspective on different community needs and cultural nuances. This versatility allows me to connect with clients from all walks of life, fostering an inclusive and empathetic therapeutic environment. My training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) further enhances my ability to support clients dealing with trauma. I focus on incorporating evidence-based practices that are tailored to each individual’s needs, ensuring that our work together is both effective and meaningful. I am committed to being direct and person-centered in my approach, prioritizing my clients' voices and experiences throughout our sessions. I believe in the power of humor to create a safe space for healing and growth, making therapy a more approachable experience for my clients. Ultimately, my combination of experience, training, and interpersonal skills allows me to create a supportive, dynamic, and effective therapeutic relationship. I am dedicated to helping my clients navigate their challenges and achieve their goals, making me a strong choice for anyone seeking guidance and support in their healing journey.
My ideal client is open-minded, flexible and adaptable in examining their beliefs, behaviors and ready to get to work. The person is committed and consistent with appointments as well as the work in between. Finally, just be authentically, and unapologetically yourself.
I am trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and I have been using it effectively for 5 years to treat a variety of mental health challenges. Unlike other treatments that focus on directly altering the emotions, thoughts and responses resulting from traumatic experiences, EMDR therapy focuses directly on the memory, and is intended to change the way that the memory is stored in the brain, thus reducing and eliminating the problematic symptoms.
By integrating mindfulness practices, I encourage clients to cultivate present-moment awareness, enhancing their ability to manage stress and emotional difficulties.
By utilizing cognitive-behavioral strategies I help clients identify and challenge negative thought patterns, facilitating healthier behaviors and emotional responses.
When utilizing a strengths based approach, it allows for a positive forward thinking approach. I assist clients in using their existing strengths, resources and positive qualities to foster personal growth and improve overall well-being.