We asked our marriage counselors a few questions about their work so you can get to know them a little better. Read Jennifer’s answers below.

What do you enjoy about being a marriage counselor?

I love getting to help people redefine the future of their relationships. Couples are stuck in their struggles when they come to see me. It’s difficult for them to see positive aspects in their relationship. I offer an objective perspective to help them see solutions where they only see failures.

It’s thrilling to see my couples’ perspectives shift. Their whole body language changes. It’s in the way they talk and the way they carry themselves. Once they see that hope, they start to light up again. I love seeing that in my work with couples.

What approach do you use in marriage counseling?

A lot of times when couples first start marriage counseling with me, they’re scared to reveal their true feelings. Beyond that, they’re even more scared to actually deal with those feelings. This means I hear a lot of “I don’t know”, so I help clients start to process beyond that statement. Even if they don’t like the responses they give, it can still help the couple move forward because it at least opens the lines of communication.

I also always give couples homework to do on their own throughout the week. One hour a week with a marriage counselor isn’t enough to change the relationship. My clients learn how to build a healthy relationship by practicing healthy behaviors in their day-to-day lives. The homework focuses on small behaviors, such as expressing appreciation, so it doesn’t feel overwhelming.

What types of couples do you most enjoy working with?

I really enjoy working with people who feel that their marriage has lost its passion. These types of clients tend to be truly committed to learning how to build a healthy marriage. They work hard, so it’s encouraging to watch how their reactions and demeanor change throughout the marriage counseling process.

As a marriage counselor, I also like helping couples dealing with affair recovery. For many couples, this is the biggest struggle they’ll face in their marriage. I love being the one who gets to help them find support where they once felt extreme hurt and resentment. It’s a long, tough road, but there is also so much to be gained.

What are your credentials as a marriage therapist?

My credentials include:

• Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist through the state of Indiana
• Master of Arts in Marriage & Family Therapy from Indiana Wesleyan University
• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Hanover College
• Member of the Association of Marriage & Family Therapy (AAMFT)
• National Certified Counselor (NCC) through the National Board for Certified Counselors