"I will look for the flowers by the side of the road; I will laugh and love and be strong. I will try to lighten another’s load this day as I fare along". --MARY S. EDGAR
Hello! Welcome to BetterHelp! My name is Jen and I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC, #004782) and a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP). I have over 17 years of experience providing both mental health and addictions therapy to individuals, couples, families, and groups. My Master’s degree is in Community Mental Health Counseling, Addictions Counseling, and Marriage and Family Therapy (2009), and I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Family Studies (2006). I have worked in multiple settings, including shelters, community mental health centers, schools, and private practices. Since becoming a counselor, clients, such as yourself, have come to me for a lot of different things, including depression, anxiety, trauma (particularly in the areas of childhood abuse, domestic violence, religious trauma, and first responder and military trauma), family and social relationships, self-esteem, and substance abuse.
My therapeutic approach is mainly from family systems theory, which summed up says “we are not islands”. We are influenced by the world, or the “systems” around us starting from birth (and even before). These systems influence how we see the world and how we make decisions. When things happen to us (good or bad), our system shapes how it affects us and what our reaction turns out to be. I also “borrow” concepts from other theories, such as taking unhealthy beliefs about oneself and changing them into healthier patterns to reduce negative feelings, providing supports, a quick solutions-focused treatment (when it fits the goal), mindfulness and hands-on activities, and emotions regulation techniques. I am also EMDRIA-trained in EMDR, specialized for telehealth, and will provide EMDR treatment to clients found to be appropriate and motivated.
I see counseling as a didactic relationship, or in other words, a journey we take together. You are the “expert” of you. Your individualized counseling experience should be focused on what you want and your goals. My job is to help “guide” or “lead” you in achieving those goals, while you continue to actively participate and do your best to reach your goals. I will support you as you do so. It’s like we build a house together. I am responsible for the frame and structure of the house; while you get to fill the rest of it in, make it look the way you want it to, and in the end, turn it into the home you want it to look like.
Starting counseling can produce negative feelings, such as worry or fear; but part of the journey we go on is to work on processing those feelings together right from the start. I want to provide a safe environment for you that is warm, respectful, trauma-informed, and meets your individual needs. I look forward to meeting you should I get to do that. Thank you for taking the time to look at my page!
Additional areas of focus: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, LGBT, Family conflicts, Grief, Depression, Coping with life changes, Compassion fatigue, Abandonment, Antisocial Personality, Attachment issues, Avoidant Personality, Body image, Co-morbidity, Codependency, Commitment Issues, Coping with Natural or Human-Caused Disaster, Dependent Personality, Dissociation, Divorce and separation, Domestic Violence, Drug and Alcohol Addiction, Eating and Food-Related Issues, Family of Origin Issues, Fertility Issues, First Responder Issues, Gender Dysphoria, Guilt and shame, Infidelity, Military and Veterans Issues, Narcissism, Personality Disorders, Polyamory / Nonmonogamous Relationships, Post-traumatic stress, Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling), Self-love, Sexual Assault and Abuse, Sexuality, Women's issues, Young Adult Issues
Clinical approaches: Attachment-Based Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy
NY LMHC 004782
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Jennifer Ricci. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
Jennifer is knowledgable, caring, and highly emotionally intelligent. She's one of the best therapists I've worked with, and I'm grateful for her specialized expertise in EMDR!
Written on Mar 22, 2024 after therapy with Jennifer for 4 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related issues, parenting issues, anger management, and compassion fatigue
Excellent counselor
Written on Feb 06, 2024 after therapy with Jennifer for 4 years and 1 month on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, and intimacy-related issues
Jennifer is very knowledgeable, personable, and insightful in dealing with my panic and anxiety. She has been incredibly helpful in moving me forward and providing tools that I can use when struggling. I highly recommend her!
Written on Nov 29, 2023 after therapy with Jennifer for 3 years and 6 months
I truly am blessed and greatful for Jenn, I use to see when years ago, she was so good and her advice stuck that I researched her and found her here. She listens and is amazing
Written on Aug 21, 2023 after therapy with Jennifer for 4 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related issues, eating disorders, sleeping disorders, parenting issues, self esteem, anger management, career difficulties, coping with life
I started therapy with Jen because I needed EMDR treatment. It's been a rough and emotional EMDR journey, and Jen has been so empathetic, supportive and professional. I feel confident and safe that I'm in very good hands. Thank you Jen!!! And I look forward continuous healing and triumphing with Jen's guidance!
Written on May 14, 2023 after therapy with Jennifer for 4 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, self esteem, career difficulties, coping with life changes, and adhd
Jennifer is great. She listens to my rants even when they sound like run on sentences.
Written on Dec 07, 2022 after therapy with Jennifer for 1 month on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, and parenting issues