ABOUT ME
Pronouns: Jen/she/her
I am a licensed clinical social worker (Illinois, Washington, Oregon, New York), Board Certified Diplomate in Clinical Social Work (BCD), and integrative psychotherapist with additional certification in the treatment of traumatic stress, and holistic health counseling and nutrition.
I received a master’s degree in social work from Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service in New York City from which I graduated at the top of my class. I completed certification in advanced traumatic stress studies at the Trauma Research Foundation (formerly the Trauma Center of JRI) in Massachusetts and am a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional through the International Association of Trauma Professionals. Additionally, I am certified in holistic health counseling and coaching from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and a certified Reiki practitioner through Northwest Healing Studios. I have taught classes on trauma-informed care and abuse and trauma at the graduate schools of social work of Columbia University and Portland State University.
My interest in social justice stems from growing up as a closeted queer kid in 1980s NYC watching my father work tirelessly to make sure the law served those impacted by violence (including police brutality). And later as a documentary TV producer where I had the privilege of meeting and sharing the stories of people from all walks of life - many of them survivors (and perpetrators) of violence. After 10 years, disillusioned by the inherent biases within media and recognizing that I could be doing much more to directly serve communities facing injustice, I quit and became a social worker, a path that allowed me to work with survivors of domestic violence, sexual/physical assault, gun violence, child abuse, and medical trauma in community mental health clinics and as the crime victim social worker in the largest public hospital in NYC. It was in these spaces that I found my calling. I am also a person living with invisible disabilities and have had to learn firsthand how to navigate ableism, including within medical systems.
My decision to expand my practice to serve clients who are living with chronic illness initially came from my own experience of living with chronic conditions. I learned that so many providers didn't seem to understand the incredible stress and isolation caused by ongoing debilitating symptoms, unusual and complex diagnoses involving multiple providers, limited treatment options, and "watchful waiting" for symptoms to change or progress over months and years. From this personal experience and after years of working with clients managing their own unique health challenges, I deeply understand that chronic illness and pain can be traumatic and mindfully apply the same "trauma-focused lens" I utilize in all other areas of my practice. Additionally, if I am not familiar with a client's particular condition, I make a point of educating myself so that the client can come in to see me knowing I've done my homework. I am always happy to coordinate with clients' care teams if the client decides that would be helpful.
I believe in working with every client as a whole person, not just as a collection of symptoms. My approach is trauma and social justice informed, insight-oriented, collaborative, and combines mindfulness and somatic based techniques with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). I partner with my clients to create new awareness and compassionate understanding of the impact of life experience on the mind and the body and how it shapes personal narrative; to heal and befriend the nervous system; and learn new tools to support lasting change in overall well-being. Perhaps even more importantly, I listen. You know yourself and your life experience best. I truly consider it an honor to be a part of your process.
When I am not working, I'm writing, cooking and baking for sensitive/allergic bodies, drawing, taking photos, posting on topics related to trauma and social justice including ableism on IG (@jenwellnesstherapy), going on "urban hikes" throughout the city with my wife, and compassionately tending to my own chronic conditions/invisible disabilities that include Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, POTS, and vestibular migraine. I'm also not afraid to admit I'm an eclectic nerd who majored in medieval history, is fascinated by the history of medicine, will binge watch practically anything on PBS and read every Scandinavian mystery series, thinks chocolate should be a food group, and is still an emo punk kid at heart.
For further information or to schedule an appointment, please contact me by phone: (503) 234-5535 or email me: jen@jenwellness.com
I received a master’s degree in social work from Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service in New York City from which I graduated at the top of my class. I completed certification in advanced traumatic stress studies at the Trauma Research Foundation (formerly the Trauma Center of JRI) in Massachusetts and am a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional through the International Association of Trauma Professionals. Additionally, I am certified in holistic health counseling and coaching from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and a certified Reiki practitioner through Northwest Healing Studios. I have taught classes on trauma-informed care and abuse and trauma at the graduate schools of social work of Columbia University and Portland State University.
My interest in social justice stems from growing up as a closeted queer kid in 1980s NYC watching my father work tirelessly to make sure the law served those impacted by violence (including police brutality). And later as a documentary TV producer where I had the privilege of meeting and sharing the stories of people from all walks of life - many of them survivors (and perpetrators) of violence. After 10 years, disillusioned by the inherent biases within media and recognizing that I could be doing much more to directly serve communities facing injustice, I quit and became a social worker, a path that allowed me to work with survivors of domestic violence, sexual/physical assault, gun violence, child abuse, and medical trauma in community mental health clinics and as the crime victim social worker in the largest public hospital in NYC. It was in these spaces that I found my calling. I am also a person living with invisible disabilities and have had to learn firsthand how to navigate ableism, including within medical systems.
My decision to expand my practice to serve clients who are living with chronic illness initially came from my own experience of living with chronic conditions. I learned that so many providers didn't seem to understand the incredible stress and isolation caused by ongoing debilitating symptoms, unusual and complex diagnoses involving multiple providers, limited treatment options, and "watchful waiting" for symptoms to change or progress over months and years. From this personal experience and after years of working with clients managing their own unique health challenges, I deeply understand that chronic illness and pain can be traumatic and mindfully apply the same "trauma-focused lens" I utilize in all other areas of my practice. Additionally, if I am not familiar with a client's particular condition, I make a point of educating myself so that the client can come in to see me knowing I've done my homework. I am always happy to coordinate with clients' care teams if the client decides that would be helpful.
I believe in working with every client as a whole person, not just as a collection of symptoms. My approach is trauma and social justice informed, insight-oriented, collaborative, and combines mindfulness and somatic based techniques with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). I partner with my clients to create new awareness and compassionate understanding of the impact of life experience on the mind and the body and how it shapes personal narrative; to heal and befriend the nervous system; and learn new tools to support lasting change in overall well-being. Perhaps even more importantly, I listen. You know yourself and your life experience best. I truly consider it an honor to be a part of your process.
When I am not working, I'm writing, cooking and baking for sensitive/allergic bodies, drawing, taking photos, posting on topics related to trauma and social justice including ableism on IG (@jenwellnesstherapy), going on "urban hikes" throughout the city with my wife, and compassionately tending to my own chronic conditions/invisible disabilities that include Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, POTS, and vestibular migraine. I'm also not afraid to admit I'm an eclectic nerd who majored in medieval history, is fascinated by the history of medicine, will binge watch practically anything on PBS and read every Scandinavian mystery series, thinks chocolate should be a food group, and is still an emo punk kid at heart.
For further information or to schedule an appointment, please contact me by phone: (503) 234-5535 or email me: jen@jenwellness.com
