Jennifer Austin

Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LMSW, ACSW, MDiv (she, her)

Verified by Psychology Today Verified by Psychology Today

3 Endorsed

4029 West Main Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49006

Photo of Jennifer Austin, LMSW, ACSW, MDiv, Clinical Social Work/Therapist

My clients are adults who struggle with stress, depression, anxiety, ADHD, Autism or serious mental illnesses. They are often facing major life transitions such as graduating from college, getting divorced or preparing for retirement. These times in life are often loaded with difficult questions, self-doubt, disappointment and frustration. My approach is never about making those things go away, as I feel that invalidates a person's internal experience. Instead, my clients learn to honor the reality of their present difficulties without fear while feeling empowered to still live life on their own yet healthier terms.

What are your goals? How will you know you achieved them? My approach blends empathy, humor, and honesty to encourage you and spur you on towards growth. I use ACT, DBT, IFS and Brainspotting to help clients chart a path to wholeness. You can expect to learn a new concept each session and will be offered ways to incorporate what you learn into real life.

I work hard to make my therapy space feel laid back and give you the sense that you can just be yourself. In some ways, I’ll let you take the lead on how fast you want to dive into the issues that brought you to therapy. You might want a couple sessions to build trust with me and that is totally okay. Or you may just jump right in and that's cool too.

Call or Email Jennifer Austin now for a free 15 minute consultation - (269) 350-4143

My Practice at a Glance

Available in-person

Freedom Counseling

4029 West Main Street

Kalamazoo, MI 49006

(269) 350-4143

My style is skill based, hands on and interactive. For this reason, I only provide in-person sessions for new clients.

I specialize in Stress, Life Transitions and Coping Skills

$170 Per Session, I accept insurance

I see individuals and families

Let's Connect (269) 350-4143

My Practice at a Glance

Available in-person

Freedom Counseling

4029 West Main Street

Kalamazoo, MI 49006

(269) 350-4143

My style is skill based, hands on and interactive. For this reason, I only provide in-person sessions for new clients.

I specialize in Stress, Life Transitions and Coping Skills

$170 Per Session, I accept insurance

I see individuals and families

Finances

Fees

Individual Sessions $170
Sliding scale: apply if you may be eligible
Pay by American Express, Cash, Check, Discover, Health Savings Account, Mastercard, Visa

Insurance

Aetna
Anthem | Elevance
Blue Care Network
Blue Cross
Blue Shield
BlueCross and BlueShield
Medicaid
Michigan Education Special Services Association
Priority Health
UnitedHealthcare UHC | UBH
Out of Network

Clients are responsible for knowing their own mental health insurance benefits and must pay the copay/deductible at the time of service.

Call or Email me for a free 15 minute consultation now - (269) 350-4143

Jennifer Austin

Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LMSW, ACSW, MDiv

Clients are responsible for knowing their own mental health insurance benefits and must pay the copay/deductible at the time of service.

Call or Email me for a free 15 minute consultation now - (269) 350-4143

Jennifer Austin

Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LMSW, ACSW, MDiv

Qualifications

Verified by Psychology Today Licensed by State of Michigan / 6801095097 Jennifer Austin
In Practice for 11 Years
Membership with ACSW
Degree/Diploma from Western Theological Seminary Master of Divinity / 2012
Attended Western Michigan University, Master of Social Work, Graduated 2012

I have an MDiv as well as my MSW. I strive to live a gospel-inspired life that reflects love, joy, mercy and justice, not religious dogma. My theology is informed by a broad swath of sacred texts, world languages, science, the arts, the beauty of the natural world, and the value of curiosity.

Call or Email me for a free 15 minute consultation now - (269) 350-4143

Jennifer Austin

Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LMSW, ACSW, MDiv

Call or Email me for a free 15 minute consultation now - (269) 350-4143

Jennifer Austin

Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LMSW, ACSW, MDiv

Specialties and Expertise

Top Specialties

Stress
Life Transitions
Coping Skills

Expertise

Anxiety
Asperger's Syndrome
Autism
Bipolar Disorder
Borderline Personality (BPD)
Culture shock (refugees, ex-pats)
Depression
Dual Diagnosis
Family Conflict
Life Coaching
Mood Disorders
Parenting
Personality Disorders
Relationship Issues
Self Esteem
Spirituality
Suicidal Ideation
Supervision for limited license social workers
Thinking Disorders

I worked for over a decade in the community mental health system. I've also spent a number of years living in a war-torn country. Pretty much nothing scares or surprises me. I'll never think you're being gross or weird. I'll never feel like you are being too much. I will always believe in you. I will feel honored if you choose to let me in.

Call or Email me for a free 15 minute consultation now - (269) 350-4143

Jennifer Austin

Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LMSW, ACSW, MDiv

Call or Email me for a free 15 minute consultation now - (269) 350-4143

Jennifer Austin

Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LMSW, ACSW, MDiv

3 Endorsements

Gilbert R Paivarinta

Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LMSW, CAADC

Working in an office area next to Jennifer. I have observed her individual quality of professionalism that offers a set of interpersonal skills resulting in collective collaboration that finds effective solutions for clients we serve.

Lesa Brenner

Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LMSW

Jennifer is a skilled and experienced clinician. I appreciate her "whole person" approach to every situation she encounters.

Susan Hall

Licensed Professional Counselor, MA, LPC, NCC

Client Focus

Age

Adults ,

Elders (65+)

Participants

Individuals ,

Family

Communities

Bisexual Allied ,

Body Positivity ,

Gay Allied ,

Lesbian Allied ,

Non-Binary Allied ,

Queer Allied ,

Racial Justice Allied ,

Single Mother ,

Transgender Allied

Religion

Christian

Age

Adults ,

Elders (65+)

Participants

Individuals ,

Family

Communities

Bisexual Allied ,

Body Positivity ,

Gay Allied ,

Lesbian Allied ,

Non-Binary Allied ,

Queer Allied ,

Racial Justice Allied ,

Single Mother ,

Transgender Allied

Religion

Christian

Treatment Approach

Types of Therapy

Acceptance and Commitment (ACT)
Brainspotting
Christian Counseling
Coaching
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Motivational Interviewing
Somatic
Strength-Based

You can expect a lot of humor, a lot of hands on learning, and typically there will be the opportunity to do work outside of session to enhance what you are learning during session. I use ACT (acceptance and commitment therapy) and DBT (dialectical behavioral therapy) when working with most clients. The two primary approaches I use with trauma are IFS (internal family systems) and Brainspotting.

Call or Email me for a free 15 minute consultation now - (269) 350-4143

Jennifer Austin

Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LMSW, ACSW, MDiv

Call or Email me for a free 15 minute consultation now - (269) 350-4143

Jennifer Austin

Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LMSW, ACSW, MDiv

Location

Primary Location

Freedom Counseling

4029 West Main Street

Kalamazoo, MI 49006

(269) 350-4143

Email me

My website

Nearby Areas

Cities

Counties

Kalamazoo

Zips

My style is skill based, hands on and interactive. For this reason, I only provide in-person sessions for new clients.

Call for a free consultation now - (269) 350-4143

Jennifer Austin

Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LMSW, ACSW, MDiv

My style is skill based, hands on and interactive. For this reason, I only provide in-person sessions for new clients.

Call for a free consultation now - (269) 350-4143

Jennifer Austin

Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LMSW, ACSW, MDiv

Last Modified: 6 Apr 2024