Jennifer Bielenberg (she/her)

My Approach to Helping

As a bisexual/queer psychologist, I recognize that aspects of privileged and marginalized identities are both visible and invisible. I aim to create a safe environment for my clients who have experienced oppression, discrimination, and prejudice based on aspects of their identity. The spirit of my therapeutic approach is deeply relational and egalitarian, and informed by social justice and culturally responsive care. I value the context of your life and learning history, including unique aspects of your identity, adaptive coping skills and strengths, and acknowledging the harmful impacts of hostile, oppressive, and/or discriminatory experiences and systems that may have contributed to your suffering. I bring an embodied, relational presence to our sessions. I will empower you to connect to your deeper sense of knowing, learn to flow with your inner experiences, and live a meaningful life, on your terms.

Why I Became a Therapist

A paradox I keep returning to, both as a psychologist and fellow human, is that the more willing we are to turn towards our pain with care, the more awake and alive we become. In a world that incentivizes us to do the opposite, it’s a significant shift: we don’t have to “overcome” our emotions, learn to think positively or care less, attach to limiting stories about ourselves or what’s possible for us, or endlessly prove our value to feel a sense of belonging and worthiness. We do not have to become an idealized, optimized, or pain-free version of ourselves to live the life we’ve only dreamed about. In our work together, we will learn how to make meaning inside of the mystery of being human. If nothing about you had to be different, how would you want to live?