about me
~ I consider myself to be an introverted and highly sensitive human. Much of my journey has been learning to accept myself. My hope is to give you the space to do the same.
~ I’m committed to lifelong learning and prioritizing my own growth through therapy. This helps me better understand myself, but most importantly, benefits you.
~ I love reading, creating (and listening to) Spotify playlists, and spending time with nature by visiting botanical gardens and national parks, and hiking new trails.
~ I love coffee. I basically always have an emotional support iced coffee with me.
~ I have a soft spot for dogs and have two rescues of my own, Trudy and Lincoln. I’ve seen the benefits of animal therapy through my professional relationships with therapy dogs and their handlers from the Alliance of Therapy Dogs, Tufts Paws for People, and Therapy Dogs International. Prior to private practice, I created Belly Rub Club, a recurring event connecting certified therapy dogs with college students during high-stress times throughout the academic year.
the formalities
~ I’ve been working in the mental health field since 2013 and have been practicing therapy since 2016. I’m a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Massachusetts (#11383) and Clinical Mental Health Counselor in New Hampshire (#4902).
~ I graduated with my Master’s in Mental Health Counseling from Boston College. My graduate training focused on cultural responsiveness, advocating for social justice, and helping those with systemic barriers to mental health care.
~ I’ve provided therapy in many different clinical environments: family experiencing homelessness in Greater Boston, a men’s state prison, a non-profit outreach center for veterans, a counseling center at a liberal arts university, a group practice specializing in anxiety and OCD, as well as consultation services for fit-for-duty candidates in the public safety sector.
continuing education
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy training through the Institute of Creative Mindfulness with Dr. Jamie Marich (in progress)
Easy Ego State Interventions: Strategies for Working with Parts with Robin Shapiro
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) immersive training with Dr. Steven Hayes
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) training through Massachusetts General Hospital
Intro to Internal Family Systems (IFS) model training
Training in the treatment of trauma through the use of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and narrative therapy with Dr. Donald Meichenbaum
Continuing education for anxiety and OCD through NOCD
Training, supervision, and consultation in ACT and ERP through Clearview OCD Counseling
my therapy approach
~ We are unique and complex beings and the therapy I provide reflects this - individualized and integrative. Basically, I’ll weave in different therapeutic approaches based on our work together. Some of the therapies I resonate with are listed on this page.
~ I am deeply moved by words. I may share or recommend content that I feel is relevant to our sessions (sometimes even social media content). You can follow me on IG here @jenellistherapy
~ I will swear and use sarcasm in sessions (and encourage you to do the same) because let’s be real, this human thing is hard.
~ I consider myself to be detail-oriented. During your sessions with me, I’m all in — you will have my undivided attention and emotional capacity.
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ACT emphasizes curiosity and a willingness to open up to and accept life’s uncertainties. Much of the focus is on cultivating mindfulness and exploring your core values and then living in alignment with those values.
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Emphasizes kindness and grace - learning to make room for and give voice to all parts of you. In Western society, we aren’t taught to feel our feelings or embrace softness. Focuses on developing self-trust so you can walk toward your inner experiences, not away from them. Understanding that suffering is inevitable and is something that universally connects us all.
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Emphasizes finding meaning in your life when your present circumstances feel in flux. Normalizes that anxiety is part of being human. Focuses on using these pivotal times in your life as opportunities to develop self-awareness into who you are and your place in this world.
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Understanding the role that power, oppression, cultural, racial, sexual, and gender identities intersect and impact mental health. Focuses on context, societal narratives, and systems at play.
I carry many privileged identities (White, thin, educated, able-bodied) and am committed to working on being a less harmful White woman and not turning away from pain and injustice. I think of Audre Lorde’s quote, “I am not free while any woman is unfree, even when her shackles are very different from my own.”
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Focuses on integrating the past with the present. Emphasizes exploring conditioned patterns, limiting beliefs, and internalized messages from your early experiences (i.e., family of origin) and connecting this to the here-and-now. Helping you to gain awareness and insight.
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Focuses on creating an empowering and supportive space for you to process your thoughts, feel your feelings, be anchored in your body, and express yourself. You are the author of your own story/life.
“Every moment you can meet your difficult feelings with kindness is a moment of peace.”
