The deepest impact I want to have is to help people see the amazingness they hold in themselves and to believe that exactly who they are right now is enough.
Hello. My name is Jennifer Given-Helms (she/her/hers pronouns) and I am a licensed clinical social worker. Offering holistic, inclusive, collaborative support to teens and their families, I am here to assist you in creating a life where you can thrive.
I have always been intrigued by people’s stories. I love people watching and trying to guess at the stories and dynamics of people. I am also incredibly intuitive and attuned to the emotional state of those around me.
Throughout my life I’ve had people share their appreciation for me as a safe space, someone who listens without making them feel judged and allows them to be themselves through whatever challenge is going on.
As a child I was more of an observer than a participant. I have always been curious about people’s inner workings, resiliency and how some people seem to be born with more than others, the dynamics in families and relationships, and what generally makes people tick.
There is so much I loved about my childhood – and plenty I struggled with as well.
As a child of divorce with a complex and somewhat convoluted family tree, I developed a deep desire to see what each person brings into our lives and to assist people in creating bridges instead of walls.
I share a fuller story about the people who raised me and how they each influenced me here. For now, here are a few quick bits:
My papa brought a strong presence of art and creativity into my life and showed me that in a divorce there is often no one person at fault.
My dad taught me that change can be good and exciting and shared his deep love of nature and wildlife.
My mom showed me how to love deeply and openly and shared her passion for travel.
In my first career as a special education teacher I created a nationally recognized program for 18-21 year olds.
The program featured a focus on supporting families and assisting each student in identifying their dreams and helping them build a plan for a full and meaningful life. The 13 years I spent in the school system honed my skills for collaborating with and supporting families. They also helped me see the spaces where I wanted to step more deeply into supporting individual students than the system allowed for. Counseling allows me the space to do that deep work.
Throughout both my professional and personal studies, I’ve developed a deep appreciation for the powers of mindfulness, self-compassion, yoga, somatic practices, and art as therapy. These are the primary modalities I use with clients today.
I am passionate about assisting families in creating bridges and seeing what each person brings to the table.
We all have gifts and we all have challenges. In divorce, remarriage, adoption, foster and blended families it can be hard sometimes to see our way through. The same can be true for all families. We hold onto stories after they no longer serve us and struggle, sometimes, to connect.
One of the things I love about counseling is helping teens and young adults identify their own amazingness. I think of some of the struggles I had in my earlier years and how a supportive, compassionate and neutral guide would have been so helpful. As a counselor I can be that neutral guide, unconditionally supportive of each person without attachment to the outcome.
Finally, as a momma and a stepmom, I see the importance in creating a circle of support for my family. It would be my honor to be part of the circle of support you are creating for yours.
Finding Center Counseling is the culmination of my passions and life’s dreams. I invite families of all genders and constellations and am excited to support you as you journey through this river of life and navigate its twists and turns.
Education & Training
2006
Masters in Education
2010
Certified Viniyoga Instructor
2015
Masters Degree in Social Work with a focus on Integrated Health/Mental Health
2020
Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Level 1
2023
Trauma-Informed Stabilization Treatment (TIST) Level 2