Jen Johnston

(she/her)

Collaborative Change Counseling and Wellness

LPC, LMHC

Currently accepting new clients.

Telehealth Availability:

Telehealth available 8-4 EST

In-Person Availability:

In person in Hamden, CT

Clients I Work With

It’s hard to feel like you don’t have all the words to describe what is going on for you. And the vulnerability of pain, from whatever the emotional or physical source, can be disorienting. Especially when you are the one typically who holds it together. But instead of holding it together, you feel like you are all over the place. Your emotions. How you are responding to people. What you are trying to do to cope. You do not know exactly what you want or need, or even who you are sometimes. And it feels like you should have it more figured out by now. In fact, it is amid pain and uncertainty that growth most often occurs. Not when we are ready. Not when things feel settled. Right now. In all our messiness and contradictions. You’ve been trying to outrun the pain, outsmart it, or just ignore it. But when you meet with me, you will start to see that pain is not a space to escape, it’s a place to begin. And you will get the sense that I’ve been here before. Because I have. Personally, and professionally. And I am unafraid to join you in profound feelings of sadness and pain.

Approach

Together, we cultivate a deep awareness and acceptance of what is. Not what you WISH were true. Pain, anxiety, hardship and identity changes are inevitable parts of our lives. And when you release the desire for things to be different immediately, it frees up energy for understanding, healing and compassion. But acceptance doesn’t mean resignation either. Because this is your life to live and a meaningful life is not found, it is built. You will find that I am compassionate and validating and I help you feel confident in your ability to live a meaningful life even amid uncertainty and pain. To do that, I use principles and skills from Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Both approaches provide skills for managing emotions and responses effectively, while clarifying your core identity and values so that the changes you make can all be oriented towards building a thriving life. Throughout it all, I try to bring my authentic self and a good sprinkling of humor and enjoyment, because therapy doesn’t always have to feel heavy.

Beliefs & Lived Experience

I have experienced and seen the difference effective, targeted interventions can have in individual lives, and the growth and healing that results. I have seen too the ripple effect that healing can have in that same individual’s family, community, and beyond. That’s the change I love being a part of. I am deeply invested in working with the LGBTQ and other marginalized communities where I feel the idea of collective support and healing are particularly powerful. And when I’m not working with you, you might find me outside or with family, soaking in my own sources of meaning so that I can be personally part of that change. Our world is enriched the more whole each of us are. Everyone deserves to thrive, including you. Reach out today to see how I can help you change.

More About My Practice

I offer telemedicine and in person. We have support groups for gender questionning individuals and their families as well as DBT Skills Groups. We offer intensives for insomnia.

Additional Credentials & Training

Intensively trained in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy DBT-Sleep certified telemedicine certification Advanced training in gender and sexuality

Ages Served

Adults (18+)
Older Adults (65+)
Teens (13-17)
Young Adults (18-25)

Services Provided

Group Therapy
Individual Therapy
Parenting Therapy

Specialized Experience

Athletes / Professional Sports
Caregivers
Educators
Entrepreneurs & Executives
LGBTQ+ Affirming
Open relationships / non-monogamy
Self-Employed & Freelance Professionals
Sex work-affirming
Sex-positive / kink friendly
Therapists & Mental Health Professionals
Trans-affirming care

Gender Identity

Woman

Languages Spoken

English

Specializations

Modalities

Acceptance and Commitment (ACT)
Behavioral Activation (BA)
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I)
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
Exposure Response Prevention (ERP)
Exposure Therapy
Insight Oriented Therapy
Mindfulness

Specialties

Aging
Anxiety
Burnout
Chronic Pain and Illness
Consensual Non-Monogamy
Depression
Gender Identity
Grief
Insomnia & Sleep Disorders
Life Transitions
Menopause & Perimenopause
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Pregnancy, Postpartum & Perinatal Mental Health
Self Esteem
Spirituality
Trauma & PTSD
Women’s Mental Health

Insurance and Payment

Payment Accepted

Cash

Credit

Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Out of Network (Superbills Provided)

Private Pay (Superbills Not Provided)

Sliding Scale

Insurance Notes

I provide superbills for clients to submit for out of network benefits. I provide reduced rates and marginalized communities are prioritized.

State Licensed In

Connecticut
Florida
Massachusetts
New York
Vermont