The Courage to Reach out
Sometimes the biggest hurdle is reaching out for help, whether you’re a parent seeking help for your child or teen, a parent looking for support, or a young adult ready to overcome challenges from the past – asking for help can be scary and vulnerable!
“Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity and change.” ― Brene Brown
Children find comfort and relief in having a person who understands their needs and concerns on their level. Using play therapy allows Jennifer to work with children in an effective way that helps them feel safe & comfortable to open up and express themselves through the creativity and power of play & art – working through and making sense of their world.
As a parent herself, Jennifer loves working with parents and values the importance of their active involvement in therapy. She can also appreciate the difficulties parenting can present as well. In addition to using play and expressive art therapies in her work with children, she also uses play therapy with parents to teach the parent how to become the therapeutic change agent for their child. This opportunity instead of herself so they themselves can see the power of play transform their child’s behavior and relationship with them.
You Are Not Alone.
The majority of Jennifer’s counseling experience consists of working with children and families. She uses her understanding of attachment theory and interpersonal neurobiology as the foundation for her therapeutic work. She’s been practicing in the field of counseling for over 7 years. Throughout the course of her practice, she’s participated in extensive training and additional supervision in play therapy and Child/Parent Relationship Therapy. She has been an active member and served as Treasurer for the Central Florida Chapter of the Florida Association for Play Therapy from 2012 until 2014. She is also certified as an Adoption Competent Counselor. She has an additional certification in premarital and marital counseling using the PREPARE/ENRICH model, as well as certification in distance counseling as a Board Certified Tele-mental Health Practitioner (BC-TMH). She is also trained in using EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique).
Jennifer earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology from the University of Central Florida in 2009, earning Magna Cum Laude. She graduated from Troy University in 2012 with a Master’s of Science in Counseling & Psychology (MSCP). During the course of her graduate studies, she served as President for the Counseling, Academic, & Professional Honor Society from 2010 until 2011. She also served as President-Elect and Treasurer from 2010 until 2011. She formally worked as a Senior Research Assistant from 2010 until 2012 on topics related to behavioral medicine during the course of her graduate studies.
A Little Bit More About Me
Aside from my experience in providing therapy, I have been privileged enough to speak on topics related to mental health and behavioral medicine at both national and local levels. My experience has also provided me the opportunity to conduct Comprehensive Behavioral Health Assessments for children who are involved in the dependency system, as well as provide Biopsychosocial assessments for the purpose of treatment planning and therapy in a community mental health setting.
When not wearing my counselor hat, I enjoy spending time with my daughter & husband, preferably doing something outside or trying something new. I love slow down to take care of myself and also warm backup with the excitement of horseback riding and ice-skating.
Contact Me Today to Talk
I’d love to find out what I can help you with. Call 407-305-8300 or email me for a free 10 minute consultation.