Jennifer Sale

As an LCSW of 38 years, I have worked with individual adults, couples and families from every age group and socioeconomic background. I have 18 years of experience providing therapy in community clinics where I interfaced regularly with psychiatrists and medical staff in providing integrated behavioral healthcare. In my private practice, I have specialized in work with anxiety disorders, relationship issues, codependency, and change of life issues, most specifically with the geriatric population.

I work with clients with a very "down to earth" style, providing compassionate support as well as insight, guidance and direction where needed. The client and myself are a therapeutic team. I utilize elements of psychodynamic therapy, but my work is driven mostly by Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Mindfulness work. I also teach Non-Violent Communication skills in my work with couples.

In our first session we would be looking at the issues or problems that stimulated you to pursue therapy. What is happening now in your life that is causing emotional pain or distress? How is this impacting your day-to-day functioning? Is there a history to this? And what experiences in your life history may have contributed to your current feelings, thought patterns, and behaviors that may currently be dysfunctional for you? I will be asking you about your expectations for therapy. Together, We will establish short-term goals and long-term goals. In a first session we may be addressing negative thought patterns and deciding on how you might think about particular things in a new more neutral or positive way. You might be asked to keep a thought journal. In a first session if you have anxiety, I may begin teaching you relaxation skills such as Progressive Muscle Relaxation, Diaphragmatic Breathing or Meditation. You might be asked to practice one or more of these skills in the break before our next session. In a first session I may teach you a new communication skill that I might ask you to practice with a friend or family member. It's important to see that you can make small changes in present time that can increase your sense of agency and well-being. An important goal in this first session will be to establish an atmosphere of trust and an assurance that you can be honest and open with me regarding any issues you might have regarding the course of our therapy.