Hi, my name is Jennifer (Jen) Layton (she / her / hers). I am so glad you’re reading up on me. I am a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) in the State of Illinois and a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) in the State of Kansas. I graduated with my Bachelor of Arts degree (B.A.) in Human Behavior and Psychology from the University of Kansas in 1995 and went on to earn my Master’s Degree in Social Work (M.S.W.) with a Clinical Focus also from the University of Kansas in 2006.
I confess that I loved social work before I even knew what that meant. I began providing direct care support in a community living environment with individuals diagnosed with a variety of mental health and developmental disabilities while working my way through my undergraduate years. As I pursued my professional training, I started to gain an understanding of the enormous gap between client needs and available services and also the chasm between funding for mental health and versus the social programs that needed funding. My frustration turned to action and I began writing grants and upstarting nonprofits to reduce those unacceptable gaps in service delivery. That led me to graduate school. I have spent the years since focused on offering clinical and therapeutic services. I have worked with individuals, couples and families in a variety of settings including community mental health and outpatient practice. I have worked across the age spectrum with teenagers all the way up through late adulthood. My areas of expertise include diagnosing and treating autistic spectrum disorders, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, personality disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), domestic violence, family conflict, troubled teens, alcohol and drug problems, divorce counseling and co-parenting, couples therapy, grief and loss, and LGBTQIA+ issues.
I have a special interest in trauma recovery resulting from social injustice, incarcerations, sexual assault, and generational trauma. In addition, I am passionate about healing the wounds from a narcissistic partner or being raised by a narcissistic parent. I have a great deal of experience in crisis intervention and mediation.
My therapeutic approach is eclectic and is always person-centered and individually tailored to meet the needs of my clients. I believe in treating the entire person integrating mind, body, and spirit into the treatment plan. The treatment modalities I most commonly rely on include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), trauma-informed therapy, mindfulness-based counseling, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). I am a fierce advocate and will walk with you on your journey and help you proceed at a safe pace that leads to healing and restoring balance for your highest quality of life.
I provide teletherapy services for Home Psych Services, P.C. and Generations Behavioral Healthcare, P.C. using secure video teleconferencing for the comfort, convenience, added privacy, and safety of my clients.
When I am not working with you or your families, I love spending time with mine. We cook together every chance we get and love dancing in the kitchen. I enjoy gardening, road trips, music, and relish the quiet at the end of each day. The best moments for me have been witnessing my three sons’ journeys from infancy to becoming the amazing young men they are today – what they affectionately call “adulting.”
