Jen Rapanos has developed a distinct approach to working with children and adolescents as a psychotherapist. Drawing from almost two decades of experience working as a school social worker and outpatient therapist, she blends her comprehensive background in mental health with training in mindfulness and yoga to offer an integrated and holistic approach to treatment.
Her philosophy towards health is rooted in self-efficacy. With yoga mats rolled out and conscious breathing to start a session, she supports her clients in relearning to trust in their innate wisdom, guiding them towards wellness. “Sometimes stress and anxiety or other conditions or life circumstances take us off that path, but I have found there is such power in teaching children and adolescents to find solace within. Too often in this world, they’re taught to look outwardly; that something else or someone else is the key to their own happiness and wellness.” She strives to create a nurturing space that fosters learning; where her clients are supported in building skills to help navigate their way through the world while finding calm and peace within.
In 2001, Jen earned her Masters Degree in Social Work from Wayne State University; she is a licensed Clinical Social Worker with the State of Michigan. Jen is proficient in the areas of anxiety and mood disorders, mindfulness meditation, self-compassion, attachment and trauma, and in working with children with disabilities and their families. Jen is a trauma-informed therapist and has experience facilitating several therapy and support groups over the years on topics ranging from managing anxiety, supporting siblings of children with special needs, grief and loss, emotional regulation, social skills training, and many yoga and mindfulness-based groups. She offers support and professional development opportunities to educators throughout Michigan and is asked frequently to speak to parent and professional groups on a wide-range of topics related to mental health and youth. Jen is a coach with the TRAILS program through the University of Michigan, a program that works to make effective mental health services accessible in all schools and is completing her Trauma Certificate through Michigan State University.
She has extensive training and practice with mindfulness meditation, completing the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction course in 2009, Healthy Minds Masterclass through the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and attending silent meditation retreats at Insight Meditation Society and at Omega Institute with Jon Kabat-Zinn as the facilitator. Jen has continued her studies with Mindful Schools, the Polyvagal Institute and The Center for Mindful Self-Compassion. Her yoga training is through Rainbow Kids Yoga, Yen Yoga, Yoga to Transform Trauma and Little Flower Yoga. She is affiliated with the Yoga Alliance as a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT), Registered Children’s Yoga Teacher (RCYT) and Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Provider (YACEP).
Specializing in areas of:
Her philosophy towards health is rooted in self-efficacy. With yoga mats rolled out and conscious breathing to start a session, she supports her clients in relearning to trust in their innate wisdom, guiding them towards wellness. “Sometimes stress and anxiety or other conditions or life circumstances take us off that path, but I have found there is such power in teaching children and adolescents to find solace within. Too often in this world, they’re taught to look outwardly; that something else or someone else is the key to their own happiness and wellness.” She strives to create a nurturing space that fosters learning; where her clients are supported in building skills to help navigate their way through the world while finding calm and peace within.
In 2001, Jen earned her Masters Degree in Social Work from Wayne State University; she is a licensed Clinical Social Worker with the State of Michigan. Jen is proficient in the areas of anxiety and mood disorders, mindfulness meditation, self-compassion, attachment and trauma, and in working with children with disabilities and their families. Jen is a trauma-informed therapist and has experience facilitating several therapy and support groups over the years on topics ranging from managing anxiety, supporting siblings of children with special needs, grief and loss, emotional regulation, social skills training, and many yoga and mindfulness-based groups. She offers support and professional development opportunities to educators throughout Michigan and is asked frequently to speak to parent and professional groups on a wide-range of topics related to mental health and youth. Jen is a coach with the TRAILS program through the University of Michigan, a program that works to make effective mental health services accessible in all schools and is completing her Trauma Certificate through Michigan State University.
She has extensive training and practice with mindfulness meditation, completing the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction course in 2009, Healthy Minds Masterclass through the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and attending silent meditation retreats at Insight Meditation Society and at Omega Institute with Jon Kabat-Zinn as the facilitator. Jen has continued her studies with Mindful Schools, the Polyvagal Institute and The Center for Mindful Self-Compassion. Her yoga training is through Rainbow Kids Yoga, Yen Yoga, Yoga to Transform Trauma and Little Flower Yoga. She is affiliated with the Yoga Alliance as a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT), Registered Children’s Yoga Teacher (RCYT) and Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Provider (YACEP).
Specializing in areas of:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- ADHD
- Children with Disabilities
- Siblings of Children with Disabilities
- Trauma
- Grief and Loss
- School and Stress Related Challenges and Behaviors
Listen to a recent podcast interview with Jen about how she was inspired to build Well-Bean.