STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
As a therapist, I have embraced my role as a peer specialist and adapted my style to meet the needs of clients with severe and persistent mental illness. I have lifelong, personal experience watching my mom’s journey with schizophrenia. I was exposed to the stigma, bias, and abuse she endured in real time starting when I was a toddler. This led to my being an advocate for the rights of people with mental illness.
My focus as a therapist is on women, and especially young mothers, with severe and persistent mental illness and adolescents/teens. Women and mothers with mental illness that are manipulated and targeted by their spouses, children, family, and friends deserve acceptance and support so that they can reclaim their autonomy and authenticity. I am dedicated to providing you with the support needed to overcome the challenges you face. Mom-shaming is relentless in our society and a disproportionate number of women with mental health diagnoses are losing hope in their ability to parent and love their children. Sometimes, being a mom feels absurd, because it gets wildly difficult! Having the honor of witnessing as clients grow to accept (and laugh at a little) their role as the expert on themselves has been the greatest privilege of my career. I never expected to enjoy working with adolescents and young adults. Children and teens need just one person to see and believe them; It was that “miracle of one” phenomenon that led me to focus on our children. I quickly learned as an Adolescent Therapist that my clients simply wanted to be ok. My goal is always to foster self-acceptance, creativity, and courage in the youths I work with. In our children, I have witnessed resilience I never knew was possible.
I offer telehealth services and Community Based- I can meet you at a mutually convenient location where you feel comfortable. (Example: beach, park, fishing pier).
Ready for a free consult with Jennifer? Email her today, Jennifer.Young@readytoelevate.org
