Meet Jennie of Live Free Counseling, LLC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennie.

Hi Jennie, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
After working as a paralegal for 22 years, I found the courage to go back to school. I had been living in my version of paradise, the US Virgin Islands for 9 years when I felt strong inner guidance to “go back to Ohio and go to school.” As much as it broke my heart to leave St. Thomas, I trusted and listened. I attended The Ohio State University, College of Social Work and obtained both a Bachelor’s then a Master’s degree in Social Work in 2019.

I was initially very resistant to the idea of working in the field of addiction due to witnessing people I love struggling with chemical dependency, but after attending an Addiction Conference, something shifted. I chose to intern at a drug and alcohol rehab center and fell in love with the work. I developed a passion for the field of addiction.

I spent the next several years working at drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers while witnessing my son’s battle with addiction. Tragically I lost him to an overdose on July 5, 2021. After that it became too painful to work in the rehab setting, so I went into private practice. This has given me the opportunity to do the deeper work with my clients so we can address the underlying trauma that is a major contributor to addiction.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road! Going back to college later in life was challenging, but incredibly rewarding.
I’ve learned and grown in ways I could never have imagined — about myself, the trauma people carry, and how to be present and clear. Being compassionate always came easy, but discernment is a vital skill too.
I’ve learned the importance of being my best self so I can truly be of service to others.
I am so grateful to be doing the work I love and witnessing the positive impact it has on others.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Live Free Counseling, LLC?
In my private practice, I specialize in addiction and mood disorders. My approach is to get to the root, which almost always relates to some degree of childhood trauma and the resulting subconscious beliefs and emotional pain.

To support that approach, I utilize a variety of therapeutic approaches, but Internal Family Systems (IFS) has proven to be most profound and transformative. When I discovered this revolutionary paradigm several years ago, I dove deep to learn all I could.

Witnessing the healing impact of IFS with my clients is miraculous. While I also use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) when needed, I’ve learned that we can’t necessarily use our logic mind to address our emotional brain, because the two don’t communicate. In other words, we can’t logic our way out of addictive, self-sabotaging, and self-harming behaviors.

I also bring my decades of spirituality along with mindfulness and somatic experiencing to support the healing journey.

Most recently, I have expanded my practice to support clients who choose to utilize psychedelics in safe, supportive settings. I guide them with both preparation and integration of psychedelic treatments. Psychedelics have the ability to mitigate the ego and allow access to the Self and a Higher Realm, resulting in profound insights, awakenings, and healing.

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
I have been blessed to have mentors through experienced colleagues and supervisors with whom I have maintained contact. I also have long time close friends who are psychotherapists and have guided and supported me throughout my education and career.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.livefreecounselingllc.com/