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During her education, Jennifer was drawn toward a profession in which she could work helping others and found herself choosing between teaching and counseling. “I chose counseling and over the years have come to understand that counseling is in fact teaching,” she explains. “Mental health counselors like me offer supportive, safe environments to clients as they learn how to identify their own thoughts, feelings and patterns of behavior. We teach skills to help patients live an authentic, emotional life with healthy connections and relationships.”

Jennifer likes to use a person-centered approach to care. Her primary focus has been working with adolescents dealing with difficult issues such as exposure to traumatic events, being the victim of sexual violence, fire-setting behaviors, homelessness, suicide risk, and LGBTQIA+ concerns. “I help patients prioritize their needs, beginning with their personal safety, and then work to help them first process and then heal from their emotional pain,” she explains.

As she gets to know her patients, Jennifer feels it’s an honor to witness how brave they are when addressing painful issues and then working to build skills to manage difficult emotions. “I watch people become their authentic selves and it’s an honor to work with them and see them progress.”

When she is not busy with her patients Jennifer enjoys spending time with her adult children and enjoying the outdoors either at the ocean or up in the mountains. (She has hiked 41 of the 48 mountains in New Hampshire that are 4,000 feet or higher.) Jennifer is also a Reiki Master who trained through the International Center for Reiki Training.