Jennifer Fitkin , LCSW, CSW

Jennifer Fitkin is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and CSW with more than 20 years of experience supporting people through stress, anxiety, parenting challenges, trauma, addiction, relationship struggles, grief, and major life changes. She combines broad clinical experience with a strengths-based perspective, helping individuals, families, and groups identify practical strategies and long-term goals.

She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master of Social Work from the University of Northern Iowa and has completed advanced training in Functional Family Therapy, Schema Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and the Good Lives Model. Her career has included roles as therapist, clinical supervisor, deputy senior clinician, senior clinician, and Clinical Director of a residential treatment program focused on attachment issues. Her work has spanned settings such as a girls' residential treatment facility, community programs serving foster care and juvenile justice youth, and rehabilitation programs in a men's medium-security prison, including international practice experience in Australia.

Clinically she draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, solution-focused methods, and motivational approaches within a recovery-oriented framework, tailoring interventions to each client’s needs. Outside of her clinical work she values time in nature - hiking, paddleboarding, backpacking, and camping - and is a CrossFit Level 1 Trainer who emphasizes sleep, movement, and nutrition as part of overall wellbeing. Her dog Boomer has occasionally participated in telehealth sessions.

Therapeutic approaches for online care

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) encourages clients to clarify personal values and to take committed action even when difficult thoughts or emotions arise. It is often used to address anxiety, stress, and life transitions by focusing on what matters most to the client.

Attachment-Based Therapy examines how early relationships and attachment patterns influence current connections and emotional responses. This approach can be particularly helpful for parenting concerns, relationship difficulties, and healing from relational trauma.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps clients identify and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors through practical, skills-based strategies. CBT is commonly applied to anxiety, depression, anger, and patterns related to addiction and impulsivity.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. The therapist works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods best match their needs, goals, and preferences, and may blend techniques to create a personalized plan.

Online therapy offers flexible ways to engage with licensed professionals through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. These options make it easier to fit therapy into busy schedules, reduce travel time, and support ongoing access to care regardless of location.