Jennifer’s philosophy is “one day, and one step at a time.” She works to create a welcoming and supportive therapeutic atmosphere, working in partnership with clients to help them define their challenges and create simple objectives on their path towards achieving their mental health goals. Jennifer takes a holistic overview with clients, helping them explore all facets of their life and environment as a means to understand and address areas of struggle. Her approach offers an inclusive, comfortable setting, taking each client’s personal background and culture into consideration. Jennifer believes therapy is about listening with compassion and working together with her clients to develop a relationship based on trust and achievable goal setting. Jennifer has extensive experience working in evidence-based practice with children of all ages, families, and individual adults. She has worked in both community mental health and school- based settings, using a variety of approaches including solution-focused, strengths-based, and cognitive behavioral therapy, as well as trauma informed care. Jennifer believes in working with her clients to find their preferred approach that will inspire meaningful changes and lead towards personal empowerment. Jennifer has been part of the Tri-cities community for more than 10 years, living most of her life in the Midwest before relocating to the area in 2008. She graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, and continued with her education at East Tennessee State University, earning a Master’s Degree in Social Work in 2011. In her free time, Jennifer enjoys creating art, being outdoors hiking, camping, and biking, and spending time with her family and friends. Jennifer’s favorite quote summarizes how she lives and she hopes to inspire others to “Choose everyday to forgive yourself. You are human, flawed and most of all worthy of love” – Alison Malee