When my wife and I began marriage counseling, I was not interested in it. As far as I was concerned, it was a pain in the neck, it took time out of my day no matter when we scheduled it, it was just one more unreasonable demand on my time of which I had very little, and, frankly, I didn't really care if our marriage needed it. I wasn't thinking about that.

What I also didn't know, was that I had begun to lay the groundwork for an extramarital affair. What I told myself was meaningless banter, (including the constant flow of text messages and emails, flowers and Victoria Secret lingerie I sent her) was threatening my marriage.

What I also didn't know was that my wife knew, or at least she suspected.

It was during a session with Jennifer, that the reality of what I was doing hit me, right between the eyes. Actually, I guess it was Jennifer who "explained" it to me. She didn't hit me over the head, although, maybe if she'd done that, I'd have seen it earlier. What she did ask me was if I was going to go through another marriage with my eyes closed, and once again not get what I wanted from my life, and marriage. She asked me if I knew I was "allowed" to ask for what I wanted, to negotiate with my wife, my partner, to make suggestions and compromises with my partner.

Maybe it was using the word partner that made it clear to me. I come from the world of business; I understood partner, partnership. Jennifer wondered out loud if instead of trying to fix what I already had, I was looking outside of my marriage to probably, eventually, form another partnership, with another person, and probably do the same things all over again, with a third person.

I can't find the adjectives to adequately describe Jennifer's ability and professionalism. She is astute, knowledgeable and intelligent, while also being compassionate and intuitive with an ability to somehow find the "real problems", and quickly, too.

Hopefully, there won't be, but, if there is ever another reason to seek counseling, I wouldn't hesitate to go back. CS  

 I came to see Jennifer many years ago because my father had recently died and I knew I needed help.

Jennifer introduced me to The Grieving Process and taught me about the Stages of Grieving.

In her office I found the peace and comfort to slowly and gently go through the painful process of grieving for my father, for the man who was my rock, and who I missed so much I could hardly breathe. I gradually went through feeling guilty for moving from New York to South Beach, and therefore not being able to "be there" entirely while my father was hospitalized and dying, and feeling angry at my mother for her and my father's terrible marriage.

While I was in Jennifer's office I learned that it was OK for me to have chosen my life to be the way I wanted it to be, not do as my parents, especially my father, wanted me to do. I felt somehow that since I'd moved away, my father somehow died. I knew logically that that made no sense, and, finally even got the courage to ask my father that, at Jennifer's suggestion. Of course he said No.

What surprised me was how gentle, kind, understanding, and empathetic Jennifer was. I'd never met anyone like her. I couldn't believe how much better I'd feel after I left her office. In the beginning, I went to see her because my insurance paid for it and my boss told me to. I didn't think it could help me the way it did. After my very first session, I made another appointment for a week, and then after that, I made two appointments a week for the first several weeks. I really needed it; it was after my appointments with her that I could concentrate at work, sleep, just function. Gradually I began to feel better and my appointments became only weekly and then twice a month, and finally monthly, until I decided I could stop.

About a year and a half afterward, I called her and asked her if she would meet my new boyfriend; I just wanted her to meet him. I also wanted her help on moving and my new job. She agreed to all of it. This time I only came to see her 5 times, in 2 months. It was great!!!

I've referred many colleagues and friends to her. It still amazes me how much I was helped. She says it wasn't her; it was the process of therapy. But I really think it was her – (lol).
BW  

 "Jennifer is truly one of the kindest souls I have ever met.  And, one of the most thought  provoking.  Through my many years of therapy with others, I have never been made to feel  like I am listened to, respected and that my feelings matter like I do with Jennifer.  Her  compassion, her sincerity, her genuine friendship and her ability to make me go places  where I never thought safe make her invaluable to me.  I look forward to our weekly  sessions."