Jen's expertise comes from a combination of personal experience and education. Jen's first master's degree in Fine Arts taught her how to embrace and understand the multiple aspects of her identity through non verbal means. Jen's second master's in Expressive Arts Therapy and Mental Health Counseling connected internal, creative problem-solving with psychological practice. She doesn't always use the arts in session in an overt way. However, through her understanding of the expressive arts she offers alternative treatment methods that fit with navigating neurodivergence and trauma.

Jen enjoys working with people who are exploring their identities and living alternative lifestyles. Her style of therapy is complementary to issues that arise within the LGBTQIA+ community, addiction, neurodiversity, trauma, identity formation and phase-of-life changes. Jen herself is part of the queer and neurodivergent communities and welcomes individuals seeking to navigate kink and polyamory.

It can be scary to explore oneself when we fear what we might find. Jen takes the time to get to know you in order to tailor therapy according to your life experience. She asks questions that encourage clients to navigate their inner world in a safe context. Her approach is to use a non-judgmental, trauma-informed perspective that assesses aspects of developmental history combined with the practice of strengthening coping skills.

 

Theoretical backgrounds that inform her practice are Humanistic/Existential theory, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Psychodynamic Object Relations, Attachment styles, Solution-Focused work and Expressive Arts Therapy. Jen also uses transparency and an understanding of social systems to address how inherent power dynamics in our culture can affect development. She provides psychoeducation when necessary and enjoys discussing different philosophies and worldviews to better integrate therapy into a client's daily life.