Diagnoses vs. Symptoms

While a diagnosis can feel like a limiting label, it can also be helpful in deciding upon treatment approaches. It can also be helpful when navigating the healthcare system. In our eyes, a diagnosis does not define a person. A diagnosis simply acknowledges a coexisting group of symptoms that are having a significant impact on a person's life. Accordingly, rather than only listing diagnoses that our clients may have, we prefer to also list symptoms that we treat through therapy.

Note: All of the listed symptoms apply to children and adults.

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  • Depression
  • Anxiety Disorders
  • Low Self-Esteem
  • Social Anxiety/Phobia
  • Anger
  • Excessive Shyness
  • Family Conflict
  • Relationship Issues
  • Problems at School/Work
  • Lack of Coping Skills
  • Major Life Changes
  • Codependency

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  • Gender Identity Related Distress
  • LGBTQIA-2+ Specific Issues
  • Grief and Loss
  • Behavioral Issues
  • Selective Mutism
  • Peer Relationships
  • Excessive Sadness
  • Worrying
  • ​Separation Anxiety
  • Childhood Issues
  • Sexual Identity Related Distress

Our Approach to Therapy

Often times, new clients will have an expectation about what the therapy process is going to look like. This could be based on what they have seen in a movie/tv show, how a loved one describes their own therapy, or past experiences with other clinicians. It is helpful to keep in mind that no two clients are the same, and no two journeys will look the same. Jennifer is always open and ready to discuss why she is taking a certain approach or using a specific intervention with a client. 

Jennifer understands therapy to be an intuitive and creative process, at times. This requires flexibility and openness to see what is most helpful to each individual client in working towards their therapy goals. Some of the approaches Jennifer finds herself using more frequently are Client/Person-Centered Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Play Therapy, Bibliotherapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) skills, or Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) skills. If you are seeking a therapist who sticks firmly with one approach, it would be best to seek out a different provider to meet that need. Essentially, Jennifer will work alongside you to find the approach that feels most helpful and supportive in your treatment.

Since relocating her practice to Historic Downtown Hillsboro, Jennifer has been able to incorporate her dog, Loshi, into Little Sparrow Counseling Services. Loshi has been known to be a calming presence, bringing joy into the lives of his human friends that he meets in sessions. See our page "About Loshi" to learn more.

Patience, Patience, Patience

By the time that you or your loved one begins therapy, it is likely that there is significant discomfort or pain present in one or more areas of life. Though the start of therapy may feel like a huge relief, the feelings about your process might ebb and flow after that. It is important to Jennifer to maintain awareness of how therapy is impacting her clients in order to be sure it is sustainable.

Patience takes on a whole new meaning when your child is the client. A feeling of helplessness is not uncommon when your loved one is suffering. It can be difficult to trust a healing process that you are not always directly involved in. Children (just like adults) need a safe space to process their experiences and emotions with confidentiality. This, of course, excludes situations where the child is a risk to themselves or others, or if there is any suspicion that someone is harming the child. Jennifer encourages family involvement and works with her younger clients to learn healthy coping and communication skills. This helps them learn to communicate their needs/feelings in a healthier way to the adults (and other children) in their lives.

Children might go home after a session thinking that they just "played" the whole time. This can be frustrating to caregivers who are investing time, money, and patience into therapy for their child. To better understand the process, it can be helpful to meet with Jennifer and discuss creative/play therapy. It is important to keep in mind that this does not entail discussing the details of your child's sessions. Though children (and parents) do not always understand how play therapy works, they do know when they are beginning to feel better, and can see a marked difference in the child's feelings and behaviors.