Teen/Twenties Counseling

Do you feel fully supported on your journey of personal growth?

I know you are worthy and capable of becoming everything you dream of becoming – and I’m here to help you alchemize tough experiences into deeper resilience and a broader perspective.

Do you have the self-advocacy tools you need for defining and expressing your consent?

From the time we are very young, we get mixed messages about what bodily autonomy and consent mean. Replacing those confused boundaries with clear ones that honor and respect your sacred YES and sacred NO is a profoundly empowering act. I can guide you in understanding consent on your own terms and learning skills for self-advocacy.

Do you feel misunderstood, like no one in the world understands what you’re going through?

Learning to love and accept ourselves is difficult enough without feeling misunderstood. Feeling this way can make it really difficult to talk through tough subjects with the authorities in our lives. I can offer the neutral support you need to understand and articulate your needs.

Do you need tools for self-advocacy and self-empathy to support you in the process of coming out to your friends and family?

Embracing our sexuality and/or gender is a big, brave step of self-discovery. But the fear that we won’t be accepted also requires BIG bravery. On our journey together, we’ll address all aspects of you. You’ll fully integrate your newly uncovered orientation and/or identity with that which you desire to transition from to find deep personal acceptance, self-love, and admiration for your one-of-a-kind journey. And you will always have my unconditional regard.

Do you find yourself falling back on destructive or depressive ways of coping with difficulty and trauma?

At any given moment of our lives, we are doing the best we can with the tools we’ve learned so far. One of the most powerful things in counseling is releasing coping methods that no longer serve our growth and wellbeing. I can guide you in replacing unhealthy tendencies with productive tools. 

Do you need a safe space to acknowledge and heal from unwanted sexual comments, innuendos or assault?

Sexual assault and consent violations are way too common in our world today. Often times we are afraid to say something, because we worry we won’t be believed. Sometimes we are not even sure what happened, because of the mixed messages we’ve received about consent and sexuality. The trauma of these experiences can be so acute that we can’t bear to say the words out loud. I’m here to offer a safe space for you to acknowledge the pain of your experience and to heal from it.

I would be honored and overjoyed if you choose Finding Center Counseling as your safe space to explore transformational growth. My goal is to give each unique client the tools they need to discover their full, empowered self.

Here, every aspect of your identity is legitimate, valid, and worthy of unconditional acceptance.

I will always give you full permission to talk openly about sex, gender, relationships, struggles, frustrations, and family. You will learn how to cultivate the self-compassion and acceptance that will transform the way you view yourself and your path in life. Your world will open up and feel more hopeful!

Here, we build and nurture systems of support that extend beyond this office into your entire life for the long-term.

I will consider all the roles you occupy in life. You will develop systems of support to help you feel grounded and centered throughout your life. We’ll equip your parents with tools to cultivate an emotionally safe space at home so that you can continue to practice the work we do here.

Here, we process the challenges of life with strength and optimism to cultivate a deep inner resilience.

I will reflect back to you your strengths and potential. You will learn new tools for cultivating deep emotional resilience and consistent mindfulness habits. You will learn to be open, attentive and curious about what arises in our conversations and in your life.

Here, you are empowered to fully step into your strength, freedom, personal responsibility and truth.

I will teach you real strategies to create strong personal boundaries in friendships and relationships. You will learn how to advocate for yourself and your rights. You will be equipped with tangible techniques to help you remain true to yourself in even the toughest situations.   

Testimonial

It has been a pleasure to work with Jennifer for years. I regularly refer patients to her who live in the Bellingham area. She provides an intuitive style that empowers patients to reach their goals efficiently with support.

Michelle Massey, MSW, LICSW

It would be my honor to support you in transforming challenging situations into meaningful growth opportunities.