Therapist Dr. Jennifer Gess Photo

Dr. Jennifer Gess

Stress, Anxiety LGBTQ+ Family conflicts Depression
Video Phone Live Chat Messaging

About me

Welcome! My name is Jen and I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Idaho and a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Washington State. I earned my Ph.D. in Counselor Education from Idaho State University in 2016 and my MA in Counseling from Seattle University in 2011. As a licensed counselor for seven years, I have experience with children, youth, families and adults in a variety of settings, including mental health agencies, private practice, K-12 schools, and higher education.

My counseling style is warm, interactive, and strengths-based. I primarily provide counseling services for children, youth, families, and adults who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, ally, and other sexualities and gender identities (LGBTQ+). My approach stems from humanistic counseling grounded in social justice philosophy. My goal is to assist you in empowering yourself through balance, awareness, knowledge and skills while exploring feelings, challenging assumptions and unravelling embedded stories. My counseling work is also informed by a commitment to understanding dynamics of privilege and oppression.

When I was 20 years old, I had been questioning my sexual identity for some time. I began seeing a counselor to try to better understand myself and my sexual identity. My counselor was warm, open, and very supportive, and I eventually came out as gay. Her kindness and affirmation changed my life! I knew I wanted to help others with challenges in their life, especially LGBTQ+ individuals, and I eventually became a counselor and also a professor for Walden University’s School of Counseling.

In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my partner, specifically hiking and kayaking in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. I also love running, skiing, and horseback riding.

If you’re ready for change in your journey, I am here to support and empower you. I look forward to working with you!

Professional experience

8yrs in practice
Stress, Anxiety LGBTQ+ Family conflicts Depression

Additional areas of focus: Relationship issues, Intimacy-related issues, Parenting issues, Self esteem

Services offered

Video
Phone
Live Chat
Messaging

Reviews

These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Dr. Jennifer Gess. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.

Dr. Gess is a very kind and attentive counsellor. I always feel most comfortable speaking with her about what I am going through.

Written on Dec 27, 2017 after therapy with Jennifer for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship, and self esteem