About Me
Hey y’all, I’m Jennifer R. Piper, MS, LCDC, CATP, CCTP, Coach, Health and Wellness Consultant. Most commonly known as, Piper. I work with clients to alter the way they perceive the world, interact with others, communicate their thoughts and feelings, build on their strengths, and improve how they feel about themselves. In short, I help others expand their consciousness.
Let me start off by saying that the fact that you landed on this page shows great strength. Many people struggle to ask for help and many more never reach out, often thinking that doing so makes them weak. It shows pure strength to allow yourself to be vulnerable. Never let go of that. The world needs more of it and you are already ahead of the game. Think of it as your superpower! Those who have the humility to admit they need help or want help, and the ability to remain open to receive will grow won't just survive, they THRIVE! You have already taken the first step and I commend you for doing so. By the way, everyone needs help and could use help. No one is perfect, even therapists.
Life isn't always a walk in the park... I know...I utilize an eclectic, holistic, and integrative approach with my clients to meet them where they are and allow the therapeutic relationship to guide the process, putting the client in the driver's seat of their life. I believe in motivating to push just beyond the believed capabilities. Clients are often astonished by their own capabilities when they have support and encouragement. I lead without judgment and have real care and concern. I do not overly sugar coat things though I do believe there is a nice way of saying anything. There is a time to be blunt to foster growth but never with disregard for the person or their goals. I will forever continue to help those around me stay positive even in hard times, keep their head up, and find the silver lining in life. Let me be clear, though. Everyone is entitled and allowed to be down. Stuff happens but sometimes it's just really tough. Sometimes we just need someone to hear us or be there for us and other times we want help finding solutions. So, while I believe in finding the good in the bad to help us move forward, I don't mean that we ignore the seriousness of the struggle, ignore emotions, or minimize the experience. We acknowledge and feel but don't sit for too long and never fake good. Toxic positivity is not what I push here.
Overall, I believe that if we learn to program our brains to live and experience life differently, to not be the victim in what we were dealt, to be accountable of our actions (capable of growth), considerate of those around us, and mindful of how our past, present and people affect our lives, we can grow and live a crazy awesome life. This perspective allows us to know what we will and will not tolerate in life, the expectations of ourselves and those around us that are realistic, and unrealistic expectations that keep us trapped or stuck. After all, we teach people how to treat us by what we continue to allow to happen rather than taking action toward change. Forgetting that we can take action, there is a choice, and it is never too late. This is no easy feat but with perseverance, it can be done. Through this understanding, we can grow exponentially.
So, if you have questions do not be afraid to ask. If you are interested in becoming a client, shoot me a text, or an email. Don't wait because the hardest part is over. Now that you started, do NOT stop.
Keep reading if you’d like some more info about who I am, what I’m all about, and some other juicy details.
The Vision
To create a walk of life that is so vibrant, positive, and catches on like wildfire that people will learn to enjoy life again. To help inspire a world of change. Not to seek stardom nor the riches that money brings but the treasures within the soul and the fulfillment that this practice brings when aiding in creating successful leaders that take control of their existence. Through further knowledge and research, I motivate, inspire and assist people in finding or regaining their path and purpose, with encouraging support for positive change, without judgment; creating genuine, optimistic, self-sufficient and authentically happy people.
Incorporating mind-body techniques, supportive behavioral health, coaching, psychotherapy, and counseling that will help heal the mind, body, and soul with a strong focus on a happy, healthy, thriving, wholesome, productive, positive environment where everyone feels at home and is eager to help others as well as themselves. Overcoming past pains and regrets, learning about personal triggers that may lead to substance use, anger, hate, discontentment, and resentment. Learning to let go of guilt, shame, and regret. Learning how to be the best you that you can be, how to love, be loved, and find joy in life. You deserve to be happy! You deserve to live a life that you enjoy! The past cannot be changed nor can you change those around you. You can only learn from your mistakes, use painful lessons to launch you forward, find positive in all things negative, promote a sense of inner peace, and comfort of self.
Credentials & Education
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Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC)
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Certified Anxiety Treatment Professional (CATP)
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Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP)
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Tested and Passed NCE exam
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Doctorate of Science in Mind-Body Medicine - Currently in Attendance at Saybrook University
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Specialization in Integrative Mental Health
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Master of Science in Clinical Psychology
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Specialization in Clinical Counseling
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Specialization in Sex Therapy
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Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences in Psychology
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Associate of the Arts in Business Administration
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Associate of Applied Arts and Sciences – Human Services – Substance Abuse Counseling Track
Certificates (to name a few)
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Telehealth Counseling
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CPR / AED / First-Aid
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CPS Trauma-Informed Care
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Psychotropic Medications
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SCOPE of Pain: Safer/Competent Opioid Prescribing Education
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Dual Diagnosis: Understanding Co-Occurring Mental Illness & Substance Use Disorders
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Mindfulness, Healing, and Transformation: The Pain and the Promise of Befriending the Full Catastrophe
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Neuroscience and Yoga in the Treatment of Trauma
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Recognizing and Reporting Child Sexual Abuse
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Reporting Suspected Abuse or Neglect of a Child
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Normalcy Training
Known Professional Curriculum
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Living in Balance
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Seeking Safety
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Family Intervention Strategies
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Personal Mythology & Dream Work
Licensure
I want to be very clear. I am not a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). I can NOT legally treat or diagnose mental health disorders outside of substance abuse. I am well versed, knowledgeable, trained, and understand such disorders but am only able to address such issues as they are related to substance use and addiction. I do not directly diagnose or treat mental health disorders outside of addiction and substance use unless they are co-occurring as they currently lie outside of my scope of practice with the state until I receive my LPC license. I PASSED the National Certification Exam (NCE) to apply for internship to complete the hours for licensure but COVID-19 had other plans. However, I am certified to treat trauma and clinical anxiety but not diagnose. I know this can be confusing because of the legalities. So in short, if you do not want a diagnosis and want treatment for trauma or anxiety, I can treat you. If you have a mental health disorder such as major depressive disorder, I cannot treat you unless you also have a substance use issue or addiction, or are seeking help for anxiety or trauma. I may still refer out for additional help. I am trained, knowledgeable, and competent in many areas but limited due to legalities with LPC licensure. As an ethical therapist, I adhere to the laws not only for my protection but for your safety. I lack the label but I have the education and experience. So, I offer consultation, education, and coaching in place of therapy for those still interested in working with me.
Please be advised that any persons seeking diagnosis and therapy for mental health disorders outside of addiction and substance use, will be referred to another provider. I may also refer to Harris Health (formerly known as MHMRA), Tri County, or the seeking of a psychiatrist for evaluation and/or medication management. I do not enforce medications for clients, but I do discuss the risks and benefits. When clients are not progressing due to mental health issues outside of my scope of practice, I will refer out and require other support for the client to become stable enough to continue treatment in order to benefit. I will not abandon clients but may pause services to give ample time for scheduling appointments and stabilization, whether with therapy and/or medication management. It is of great concern that each client is receiving the level of care that is needed. Any decisions to be made will be discussed and agreed upon with the client at the time of concern. These details are discussed during the initial intake and assessment.
However, if you seek treatment for substance use or an addiction(s) and seek treatment for other mental health disorders, I encourage you to also have an LPC or psychologist to address those needs. Many clients that do not have another counselor or therapist, do very well, and have exceptional progress. Please note that I do refer out if I believe that other issues are blocking the ability to provide the appropriate level of care needed or are more pressing than substance use at that time. If sessions begin to focus on problems outside my scope of practice or if they do not aid clients in moving closer to sobriety, the client will be referred out to a higher level of care at that time. My main concern is the well-being, safety, and health of each client I serve. Thank you for your understanding.
Values and Beliefs
I’m a bit of an idealist. I’m driven to help others reach their full potential. I value honesty, compassion, hope, and learning. I know I cannot save one person but I feel an obligation to make the world a better place for the generations to come. I plan to do so by positively influencing others and leading by example. I believe in the neuroscientific approach that provides support that our brains are neuroplastic and can change shape, size, and behavior by our actions and what environment we foster for new neurons to continue to grow healthily. In other words, we can reprogram our brain to think smarter, be more aware of our patterns of dysfunctional behavior, and thinking that leads to further problems. Through mindfulness and awareness, one can control thinking patterns and alter the neuroplasticity of the brain. I believe that all problems in our world could be solved if we understood those patterns, altered our perception of the world and those around us, understood how our body reacts to stressors, and how to address the reoccurring problems that ail us. It is important to learn how to communicate our thoughts, beliefs, and emotions, as well as receive those of others. Learning how to see things objectively, utilize a new perspective to problems, and shifting our reactions, alters the experience of life completely.
Being assertive in our communication can help to set strong boundaries of what we will and will not tolerate from others but also learning how to do so in a manner that has a less reactive response. Showing respect to others but also respecting ourselves. Learning how to assume less and ask more can address any further problems that can arise with miscommunication. I focus on altering perception, improving communication and objective thinking in the subjective world we live in.
Internal Thoughts that Self-Sabotage
Our brains are lazy. They like consistency and dislike change. Oddly enough, they also REALLY love learning and experiencing the new. We have to trick the brain in order to create change. I teach you how to avoid your brain allowing you to think failure is an option before you start. If you believe and have faith...you can do all things. We may stumble. We may fall. Yet, we get back up and do it again. Like an arrow has to be pulled back before being shot, do not be afraid to fail because those failures or setbacks can launch you into something truly amazing! The idea here is to go into all things with confidence that even a failure is success if you learn from it.
Food for Thought
What good would it do to react negatively to another? If you reacted in a respectful and calm manner could you possibly change their day? Have you ever been upset and unknowingly snapped at another but their response either worsened or lessened your day? You may think you know someone who enjoys hurting others but when you really think about it…are they hurting? Have they been hurt? More than likely they have and although this does not make their actions right… it explains how they cope, what kind of relationships they have, and what drives them (often fear based). Through understanding, we become less reactive to seemingly personal attacks.
ATTENTION: IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Please be advised that hours may vary but I will get back with you if you leave a message. Feel free to reach out to me via email, messenger, or text. In case of emergency call 911.
Being an avid believer in helping others be the best version of themselves, I work diligently to accommodate client requests (within reason).
I understand that life happens and nothing stays the same, which is why I stress communication.
After all, if you don't ask, you won't know.
I do not have a secretary (yet).
I do NOT answer calls during sessions or while driving (it's rude and dangerous).
I do NOT return calls that have not left a voicemail.