"Wellness" is a complicated word when you're emotionally and/or physically struggling. The dictionary defines wellness as "the state of being in good health, especially as an actively pursued goal." But what if things have happened to you, your family, your community - illness, accident, death of a loved one, job change or job stress, a history of childhood or relationship abuse, historical/intergenerational trauma, daily lived experience with oppression - that interfere with this goal? The word "Jen" happens to be the name by which I am most commonly known, but it is also a word defined as the virtue of benevolence or kindness and humaneness towards self and all living beings. It is this quality of wellness that I hope to bring to my practice.
PSYCHOTHERAPY My practice is dedicated to providing a safe, supportive, and inclusive space for individuals who are encountering challenges in their lives and are seeking support, understanding, and new strategies to move forward, heal, and thrive. My approach is trauma and social justice informed and blends techniques that support both body (somatic) and mind in the healing process as trauma and other extreme stressors impact both the body (feelings, actions, nervous system states) and the mind (thoughts, belief systems, world view, self esteem, etc.). Specific challenges may include:
*For chronic illness clients: I specialize in working with people living with complex conditions including COVID and post-COVID syndrome, vestibular disorders, BPPV/vertigo, vestibular migraine, migraine, PPPD, cervicogenic dizziness; multiple sclerosis (MS); postural orthostatic tachycardia (POTS); Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome; MGUS (monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance)/Smoldering Myeloma/Multiple Myeloma; other pre-malignant disorders and cancer; chronic small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO); irritable and inflammatory bowel conditions (IBS/IBD); dysautonomia; chronic Lyme Disease; thyroid disorders; fibromyalgia; ME/CFS; MCAS; perimenopause; PMDD; and many others. In addition to being well-versed in these conditions, I also offer a compassionate space for individuals who have a number of life-altering symptoms, but still don't have an official diagnosis and must now "wait and watch." Additionally, I offer support for caregivers and healthcare providers who serve individuals living with these conditions.
TRAUMA & WELLNESS CONSULTING I conduct workshops and public speaking events in corporate and non-profit settings on the provision of trauma-informed care to individuals living with chronic illness and pain conditions; as well as preventing and managing vicarious/secondary trauma/compassion fatigue and self-care for providers and organizations directly and indirectly exposed to traumatized populations.
"CORPORATE GUIDANCE COUNSELING" Not HR and not an EAP. For companies that see the value in having a qualified person on-site or available for employees to meet with one-on-one or in group settings to process challenges that are impacting performance and to develop the interpersonal skills that will empower team building, improve communication, increase productivity, and grow success.