Jennifer Avenia, LCSW — Therapist in Connecticut

Hi there, I'm Jennifer!

I work with children, adults, and families who have had traumatic experiences. Using a variety of perspectives and modalities, I work to deeply understand your life and history to help you realize your whole and healthy self.

My focus

While I love working with individuals, I feel that working with families is often the most effective and healing context for trauma survivors. I am also comfortable treating anxiety, depression, grief-related disorders, developmental disability, attention deficit, and bipolar disorders.

My approach

I use a psychodynamic and humanistic approach that encompasses techniques used in cognitive behavioral therapy, particularly Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. More particularly, I use the Attachment, Self-Regulation, and Competency model for recovery from complex trauma experiences.

My communication style

My style is warm and compassionate but also direct. You can count on getting all the resources and information that I have, and also transparency when it comes to your diagnosis, my recommendations, and, if necessary, communication with other treatment providers.

My journey to mental healthcare

I come to social work and psychotherapy rooted in the Jewish concept of tikkun olam, healing the world. Most of my career has been spent working with survivors of serious and complex trauma, particularly with recent migrants to the United States. Psychotherapy is a vehicle for healing and peace, but with that also comes the struggle for justice.

My goals for you

You are in charge of your treatment goals! I am there to offer feedback and guidance, as well as to do any research needed. We will create your treatment plan together.

Our first session

We will deal with the usual first meeting stuff: confidentiality, releases of information forms if needed, and a short version of my approach to psychotherapy. Then we'll talk about your health and family history, particularly as these affect your reasons for wanting to be in psychotherapy.

I identify as...

Female
Caucasian or White
Jewish

Expertise

Treatment approaches

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

Dialectical (DBT)

Attachment-based

Child/Parent Psychotherapy

Humanistic

Mindfulness-Based

+ 6 more

Focus populations

BIPOC

LGBTQIA+

+ 2 more

Therapy types

Individual Therapy
Couples Therapy

Ages served

Adults

Practice

Accepted insurance providers

Ascension-SmartHealth
Aetna
All Savers
Allegiance
Allied

+ 42 more

Languages spoken

English, Spanish

Education

Juris Doctorate (JD) from University of CT School of Law and a Master of Social Work (MSW) from University of Connecticut.

Sessions

60 minutes

Virtual sessions

Jennifer Avenia