ABOUT JENNIFER DESARRO
My name is Jennifer DeSarro, and I'm a Registered Nurse (RN) and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and bilingual in Spanish and English.
Since I know it can be difficult to ask for help, or to trust that the person you're asking is who you need, or will be able to help, I'm going to share a little about myself with you.
I always knew I wanted be a psychotherapist, while at the same time wanting very badly to become a nurse and work in the medical field.
My Current Work
Now as a clinical social worker (psychotherapist), I utilize my experience in medicine to enhance the mind-body-spirit connection, in order to help my clients receive the very best outcomes in their counseling. I understand what a diagnosis from your private physician means, I understand the effects of medications that may be prescribed for you, and I understand that physical DIS-ease may sometimes cause emotional/mental DIS-ease, and that the reverse is also true, that emotional/mental stress can cause our physical bodies to breakdown.
My History in Healthcare
I've been a nurse both at the bedside and in administration since 1980. I was always able to empathize with my patients while at the bedside and connect with my employees as an administrator. I seemed to then, as well as now, have an intrinsic ability to be a skilled, compassionate and intuitive practitioner.
While working as a nurse, sometimes I could sit and listen/talk to my patients. I often heard from them, "Thank you, I feel so much better", and it was then that I began to realize the power of talk therapy. In fact, I sometimes wondered that what they needed was someone to really listen and really understand.
And when it was time for my patients to be discharged, I met with them and their family, assessed the home environment, and made recommendations as to what would be needed in order to continue their recuperation at home, just like today's Medical Social Workers. I made appointments for follow up care with their physicians, connected them with community services and resources all designed to enhance their recovery, just as the role of a Case Manager is today.