Jennifer Richards

Hi! I’m Jen and I’m not perfect. It took me a long time to be able to say that. The truth is, it is impossible for anyone to be perfect and it is exhausting to keep striving for it. So why do people attempt to be perfect? Perfectionism is often the result of childhood or adolescent trauma in which unfair expectations were communicated or assumed, either directly or indirectly. Perfectionists are often black and white thinkers and struggle to live in the gray. My goal is to help clients understand and live in the shades of gray.

Though treating perfectionism is only one part of my practice, it is a good example of the trauma-informed work I do with clients. It turns out most people who have experienced trauma struggle with living in the “gray areas” of life, as they seek safety and security through controlling their environment. Trauma can manifest in all kinds of mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD, and dissociative disorders, just to name a few. My interest as a clinician is to help people grow, change, and process the trauma, so they can lead healthier lives. I don’t believe in “fixing” anyone because that implies something is broken. You aren’t broken - you just need a chance to experience change.

Why keep trying to achieve healthy change alone? Together, we can address your difficulties by connecting current thoughts, beliefs, and emotions to past experiences. We can’t fix the past, but we can change how we view it and move forward.

My therapy style has been described as informal, direct, creative, and humorous. I challenge my clients to consider what “could be” and not “what is,” so they can understand and embrace their true selves. How can I help you?