Therapist in Chicago, Illinois Jen Novak, Therapist

Jen Novak is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with over 20 years of counseling experience and a particular interest in Women’s Mental Health issues. Jennifer has specialized training and extensive experience working with women, their partners, and their families around maternal mental health and reproductive issues, including: fertility challenges, miscarriage and infant loss, perinatal mood & anxiety disorders, the transition into parenthood, maintaining partner intimacy post baby, and renegotiating individual/family roles & dynamics in response to an expanding family. Jennifer takes a person centered, trauma informed, strengths based approach to treatment, utilizing elements of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for Couples, and Psychodynamic Therapy, to assist clients in working through a myriad of issues such as: infertility, pregnancy & postpartum mood instability, depression, anxiety, grief & loss, stage of life transitions, trauma, major life changes, disordered eating & body image issues, and compromised self-esteem. Jennifer works with individuals, families, and couples 18 and over. In her clinical work, Jennifer is well versed in both traditional therapeutic techniques as well as creative modalities such as stress management skills training, mindfulness practices, role playing, and guided relaxation techniques. In her free time, Jennifer enjoys spending time with her husband of 18+ years, their twin daughters, and the newest addition to their family, a Rottweiler puppy named Nala. She also enjoys traveling, attending theatre and musicals, road-trips, listening to live music, and family movie nights. Jennifer earned her Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy (Counseling Psychology) from the University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles, California, and received her Bachelor’s degree with a double major in Psychology and Sociology, from The University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan.