MY APPROACH

I believe you matter: your story matters, your voice matters, and your healing matters. I deeply care about your pain and will proudly partner with you as we search your life for meaning and hidden wisdom. Together we’ll listen to your stories with courage and curiosity.

Our bodies carry our stories of pain and triumph, and I’ll help you learn to listen to yours with great care. Using a science-based approach paired with ancient contemplative wisdom, I frame your experiences using insights from Polyvagal Theory, somatic parts work, and EMDR to help you feel safe inside your own skin. Read more about my EMDR practice here. Then we’ll engage in a gentle and powerful exploration of trauma to help you grieve your losses and build the life you’ve been dreaming of.

What makes me different from other therapists is I specialize in compassion training, which can radically transform your life. Using insights from Mindful Self-Compassion, and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, you’ll learn how tolerate discomfort, stay present in your life, and ask for what you need with wisdom and clarity. I’m also comfortable discussing sexuality and spirituality concerns from a warm, affirming, and nonjudgemental stance. I’m an LGBTQIA+ affirming therapist. Counseling with me is a judgement-free zone. While I am a deeply spiritual person, I am one of the most open-minded and nonjudgemental people you will ever meet. I value, affirm, and respect your spiritual practices and love learning from all my counseling clients.

Here are just some of the issues I have helped my people with through secure web-based counseling for Texans and Floridians:

• ANXIETY + DEPRESSION

• EMOTIONAL OVERWHELM + BURNOUT

• LGBTQIA+ ISSUES

• PTSD + UPSETTING LIFE EXPERIENCES

• PHYSICAL/ SEXUAL ABUSE OR ASSAULT

• EMOTIONAL ABUSE + NEGLECT

• RELATIONAL TRAUMA

• ISSUES FROM CHILDHOOD

• CODEPENDENCY ISSUES

• SPIRITUAL/RELIGIOUS ABUSE RECOVERY

• WORK OR SCHOOL STRESS

• PANIC ATTACKS + PANIC DISORDER

• GENERALIZED ANXIETY 

• UNRESOLVED GRIEF + COMPLICATED BEREAVEMENT

• RELATIONSHIP ISSUES

My ideal client is a working professional (including college students) who wants to do a deep dive into healing and is willing to change and grow in healthy ways. Growth doesn’t have to be anything drastic, but it can happen in ways that are meaningful and lasting as you stretch and transition into your authentic Self. When you have a breakthrough, I will help you discern how to integrate this new information into your life in a conscious, fearless way that connects you to your core values.

Little changes add up over time to create real and lasting healing And it’s my privilege to guide you into healing from a place of empowerment. One of the benefits of healing in a counseling context is a greater awareness of your emotions, thoughts, and feelings without condemning yourself for having them! This practice of mindful and compassionate attention to your life will serve you well as you assert your needs in ways that keep you centered and grounded in your personal and professional relationships.

My end goal for you is to feel deep love and respect for yourself. And this is possible  in the context of a safe, supportive, and empathic counseling relationship. I consider it the highest honor to help you break free from past constraints and become fully alive. It’s amazing what happens when we feel seen, heard, and held in our pain. It can move us towards caring for our own beloved selves and extending that love outward into our beautiful and complex world.

A few fun things you should know about me:

* Lover of nature and avid hiker in glorious mountain-lands of all kinds–Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, West Texas, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Montana, the Pacific Northwest, and Mexico.

* Wannabe Spanish-speaker working at the local food pantry on weekends.

* Absolute die-hard fan of West Wing and Star Trek: Next Generation.

* Recovering Enneagram 4 who still loves Sufjan Stevens, Bon Iver, and Taylor Swift’s Evermore songs. 

* Long-time jazz lover of all kinds including Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Oded Tzur, and so many other wonderful musicians.

* Wicked sense of humor thanks to a lifetime of family drama and professional theater experience in university. 

EDUCATION & CREDENTIALS

EMDR Certified Therapist, (forthcoming 2024). EMDR International Association.
EMDR Trained Therapist, (August 2019). EMDR International Association.
Mindfulness Facilitator (November 2023). Mountain Cloud Zen Center.
DBT Trained Therapist, (May 2022), Behavioral Tech.
Mindful Self-Compassion Trained, (October 2020), Center for Mindful Self-Compassion.
Courses in Religious Studies, (December 2018 – August 2020). Brite Divinity School.
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Texas, (#73081) and Florida (#TPMC3103).
M.S. in Counseling Psychology, (December 2013). Tarleton State University. Summa Cum Laude.
BS. in Psychology, Minor in Theater and Writing, Texas Wesleyan University. (May 2000). Summa Cum Laude.

CLINICAL EXPERIENCE

Counselor & Writer at The Holy Absurd, (October 2017 – Present)
LPC-Intern:
MHMR of Tarrant County (May 2014 – October 2016)
Practicum Student Counselor:
     Tarrant County College (January 2013 – December 2013)
     Recovery Resource Council (August 2012 – December 2012)

I would love to walk with you on your healing journey!  

If any of this resonates with you, please reach out to me! You can do so by calling or texting my practice number which is (817) 642 – 7305, or send me an email at jenn at theholyabsurd dot com (to prevent spam bots). I look forward to hearing from you!

CONNECT WITH ME

Find me on these websites