Jennifer Hockenberry

It is an honor and a privilege to have the opportunity to work with you. This professional disclosure statement includes information regarding the nature of our professional relationship. We will discuss any questions or concerns you may have about this information at the beginning of our work together.

My Qualifications I received a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Western Carolina University in 2016. I am I am a fully Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in North Carolina (LCMHC, 12632). My experience as a counselor includes one year as a counselor intern with MAHEC Family practice, where I worked with adult patients in an integrated care setting and more three years as a counselor at Family Preservation Services, a community mental health agency, working with children, adolescents, parents and families. Since 2019, I have worked in private practice, expanding my experience and capacity to support couples and adults as well as adolescents and families to live their best life. Counseling Background At MAHEC Family Practice, I worked in a team based setting with medical professionals to provide counseling for adult patients with a variety of physical and mental health challenges. At Family Preservation Services, my clientele consists of children, adolescents, and their families addressing issues including substance use, interpersonal conflict, parenting challenges, post traumatic stress, anxiety, depression, self esteem issues, behavioral issues, ADHD, and dysregulated emotions. I also have provided grief and loss counseling for adolescents, provided family therapy, and have facilitated group counseling for adolescents. I work primarily from a person-centered orientation, with a focus on co-creating a safe and trusting therapeutic relationship with my clients so we can collaborate to identify goals for lasting change.

I work primarily from a person-centered orientation, with a focus on co-creating a safe and trusting therapeutic relationship with my clients so we can collaborate to identify goals for lasting change. I use an integrated approach, drawing on multiple theoretical models based on the personal strengths, needs, and preferences of my clients. I believe it Is critical to explore the cultural background of my clients so that I always honor and respect the uniqueness of each individual’s story. Some methods I utilize in the counseling process include; narrative therapy, expressive arts, cognitive and behavioral techniques, acceptance and commitment therapy, mindfulness, community resiliency model, dialectical behavioral therapy, somatic methods, as well as metaphor and humor to increase well-being. My clients and colleagues have described my approach as collaborative, empowering, compassionate, and intuitive.

I aim for our first session to be both collaborative and therapeutic. We will discuss your needs and goals of therapy and I will get to know your life experiences, your strengths and desires, what skills you'd like to cultivate, and cultivate a therapeutic process of trust and care so our time together is successful.