ABOUT ME

JENNIFER A MILLER, MSW, LCSW

 I have been working as a social worker for over 25 years, helping children and their families navigate the various challenges of attachment, development, and identity formation. I am particularly passionate about the power of play therapy for young children and those traumatized at a young age. It is my conviction that each person is worthy and can learn healthy skills to navigate life’s ups and downs. While I might have the theories and techniques, each individual child or adult has the potential and ability to regulate emotions, process memories, and heal themselves. This might happen through play, art, talking, movement, faith, or mindfulness and it might happen quickly or be a longer journey with many layers. 

My work incorporates numerous modalities, including cognitive behavioral, strengths-based, narrative, internal family systems, and EMDR. I assist my clients in recognizing how the various systems around them have impacted them in the past and present. We work together to mindfully and intentionally decide what they want to leave behind and what they choose to carry forward into their future. My clients are great teachers, and I am on a continual journey to become more aware of my own implicit biases and to be a better ally and advocate for BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ individuals. 

I received my bachelor’s degree in psychology from Goshen College (1992), where I now provide counseling to students part time; I have a particular passion for supporting student athletes. My master’s degree in social work is from Virginia Commonwealth University (1996). I worked as a child and family outpatient therapist at Oaklawn for 8 years, where I also provided group therapy and later team leadership for the CAPS therapeutic preschool program. Since 2004, I have been serving children and families in private practice in Goshen. My professional affiliations include the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and Association for Play Therapy (APT). 

I find my work tremendously rewarding. It is a privilege to hear people’s stories and then to witness the healing and growth that takes place when they feel connected, safe, seen, and empowered. Children learn to articulate their feelings and needs and how to protect themselves. Parents learn that boundaries and validation build connection with their children. Survivors learn to deconstruct the beliefs that kept them trapped and find that they can trust their own voice and strength. People discover and love their true, flawed, beautiful selves.