Lasting Transitions Counseling

I came to Jenifer yearning to grow and live true to myself, wanting more connection with my creativity, weighed down by guilt and shame and feeling like I was stuck in surface level distractions. I wanted to rediscover myself and learn how to build a more authentic life where I felt like I really knew myself and went after what would make me happy. Wanting to work on myself was also in part a way of dedicating myself to be the best Mom I could be. My son was about 5 at the time I started to see Jenifer. We had struggles that needed to be addressed and hardships that were growing more difficult. I considered myself a good, loving, committed mother and loved being a mom but I needed help. My son has anger issues that I simply did not know how to handle. I didn’t understand why this was happening and felt like nothing I was doing was making a difference. The worst part was that his behavior of expressing his anger, sadness, confusion was triggering me; my own cycles of escalation were being triggered  and it was making matters worse and therefore not helping my son. Jenifer and I worked on looking at my patterns that were created very early in life. Understanding the way I escalate has helped me not be triggered and I can now see more clearly that my son is not trying to hurt me and he needs my help. Jenifer is helping me work on myself so that I can help my son with his anger. Jenifer has unlimited and the utmost creative approach to helping kids who have anger, sadness and confusion; this is truly one of her specialties that she shines so bright in because she is so experienced and so unique. Jenifer understands kids and is one of their biggest advocates. She embodies love and respect and always has such a clear picture of how to build trust with my son.  Jenifer has specific detailed advice down to the tiniest of details on how to handle so many difficult situations with my son. I can go over every little thing that happened and she has insight and such helpful advice on what I could’ve done or do next time. Her suggestions are always staying true to keeping everyone safe, treating with respect, breaking the cycle, finding a way to not give into the anxiety, being consistent, respecting his feelings, teaching him boundaries and staying in control of myself. Her approach is playful and creative which are two characteristics that can be very hard to be in a stressful parenting situation but she shows you how and eventually I found myself doing it naturally.  The way I react is changing and I can feel the inner peace that she has been teaching me to find.  She really gives me the tools to handle situations with my son that used to make me feel so helpless and I’m so proud that I’m making changes that will last and continue to help my son.  Some of the other major parenting components centered around the difficulties my ex and I were having co-parenting. I was not even aware of how much the inconsistencies were confusing and effecting my son. One of the biggest ways this lack of structure and consistency was coming out was in my son’s severe resistance to go to school. With Jenifer’s very in depth help learning how to create the consistency my son so desperately needed there have been a huge turn around. We went from every night there being violent outbursts from his anxiety about school the next day and mornings that were even worse; so many days that he missed school because it was so hard dealing with his behavior and we didn’t know what to do. My son is now one of the first kids to arrive at school; he likes to get there early so that he can help his teacher set up the classroom. He doesn’t miss days anymore; this is one of the biggest accomplishments I’ve ever made and I know it’s Jenifer’s help that has made all the difference. She helps with every step of my goals to make sure my son is getting what he needs and I’ve learned so much. 

                During the time I was seeing Jenifer I had the sudden onset of health conditions that of course effected every aspect of my life. Her support in navigating through the bewildering challenges that this health condition pose has played a huge part in creating my health plan, carrying it out and my recovery.  Jenifer has a way of helping me with the many different dimensions of my health issues. She helps with the overwhelming logistics of how to organize, prep and plan so I can be successful to carry out my health plan. She also teaches me how to process what is happening to me; making a connection with my mind and body. She teaches awareness of what my body is going through and how I can best honor myself and work toward healing.

I have had previous therapists that have helped, but I did not attend more than a few sessions. Jenifer creates a feeling of trust an security that not only helps you succeed in your personal journey but makes you want to get to that place where you feel that you are working on being a better person and  creating a healthier and happier environment. 

Jenifer's true strength and integrity shows when you hit the rough patches, and for that I will always be grateful.

I appreciate Jenifer's honest and direct style. She's helped bring awareness and clarity to my past and provided support and strength to work through it. She asks the right questions to help me think through things in my own time. She's responsive and there when I need her.

Jenifer is amazing! She asks the right questions and directs you in ways that are very helpful and insightful.

Jenifer is great. She is a good listener and does her best to help and make one feel understood and heard and acknowledges one's hurts and give ideas for solutions in the future.

Jenifer asks the right questions. Even though it's sometimes hard to face the reality, her words help me stay on track and focus on the most important things.

In the need for help, I found Jennifer. Not only did she listen and helped me précisé my concerns but her experience professionalism and guidance bring me faith in the process of healing.

Over the past few years, Jen has been coaching me through some very big transitions in my life and I could not have navigated through these changes with as much grace without her help. Her coaching skills helped me identify and focus on the most important aspects of my life and face the fears that have hindered me so much in the past. Jen became my safe place. Her way of teaching me and giving me different perspectives is something I'll cherish for forever. Without Jen I would not be the person I am today and I'm very thankful I've grown through her passionate and gritty coaching ways. I'm also thankful for her constant support. She truly is my biggest fan and I am forever grateful to have Jen in my life.