Diagnoses vs.

​Symptoms

While a diagnosis can sometimes feel like a limiting label, it can also be helpful in determining treatment approaches. For those who utilize insurance or out-of-network benefits, your coverage will be determined by whether or not your difficulties are related to a diagnosis. That said, a diagnosis does not define a person; it simply acknowledges a coexisting group of symptoms or challenges that significantly impact an individual's life. While not exhaustive, the list to the right includes symptoms, challenges, or needs that might bring a person to therapy.

Note: All of the listed items apply to clients of all ages.
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Low Self-Esteem
  • Social Anxiety/Phobia
  • Anger
  • Family Issues
  • Relationship Challenges
  • Problems at School/Work
  • Lack of Coping Skills
  • Major Life Changes
  • Codependency
  • Gender Dysphoria Support (including support for transition steps)
  • LGBTQIA-2+ Specific Issues
  • Grief and Loss
  • Behavioral Issues
  • Selective Mutism
  • Excessive Sadness
  • Worrying
  • ​Separation Anxiety
  • Childhood Issues
  • Concerns about Gender or Sexual Identity

Approach to Therapy

Often, new clients will have expectations about what the therapy process will look like. This could be based on what they have seen in movies or TV shows, 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 alike. Discussion is always a welcome opportunity to clarify the reasons for taking a certain approach or using a specific intervention with a client.

A firm belief that one size does NOT fit all has led to an eclectic approach to treatment, rooted first and foremost in the client being the expert on their own life. Other commonly utilized approaches include person-centered therapy, compassion-focused therapy, animal-assisted therapy, motivational interviewing, play therapy and bibliotherapy (with littles), sand tray therapy, and organic integrations of DBT/CBT.  All approaches are tailored to your preferences, needs, and neurotype. Jennifer welcomes feedback to guide them (turns out they are not a mind-reader after all). 

Whether you are seeking support for a lack of healthy coping skills, bereavement, relationship challenges, self-esteem issues, depression, anxiety, identity exploration, gender-related transition steps, navigating significant life changes, or something else, you will be welcomed with compassion and acceptance. Oftentimes, the issues faced by marginalized groups are related to navigating a world that has not been created for them, while doing so without losing themselves to masking, suppression, or self-loathing. You will not be pathologized for your identity. This is especially important to highlight for queer (LGBTQ+) and neurodivergent (autistic, ADHD, AuDHD) clients. If you are seeking to work with a therapist who strictly adheres to one approach or for help with issues that respond best to specialized training or treatments that fall outside of Jennifer's area of expertise, you may be referred out to ensure you receive the best care for your needs.

Jennifer is trained and certified in Animal Assisted Human Health and incorporates Animal Assisted Therapy alongside their three-legged co-therapist, Loshi. Other areas of extensive focus in her training include working with Autistic, ADHD, and AuDHD clients, supporting children, and assisting transgender and gender-expansive clients.

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 progress might ebb and flow after that. It is important, as a therapist, to maintain awareness of how therapy is impacting clients in order to be sure it is effective and 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. Family involvement is encouraged for work with younger clients (kids and teens) 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 schedule a time to meet and discuss creative/play therapy themes and interventions incorporated into the therapeutic process. It is important to keep in mind that these conversations do not entail discussing the details of your child's sessions. Though children (and parents) do not always understand how play therapy works, they often know when they are beginning to feel better, and can see a marked difference in the child's feelings and behaviors.