You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter
than you think.
- Winnie the Pooh
Jennifer Nuño, LPC Associate
Supervised by
Christopher Leeth LPC-S
Professional Profile
Jennifer graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio with her Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She currently holds an LPC-A and LCDC-I with an NCC certification. She is supervised by Zulema Magana, LPC-S. She enjoys working with clients of all ages and backgrounds, but especially enjoys working with adolescents. Jennifer has experience working with clients who have struggled with personality disorders, depression, anxiety, domestic abuse, grief, trauma, and, of course, in the midst of a pandemic, the inevitable life transitions. Previously, Jennifer has volunteered with Family Assistance Crisis Team (a program through SAPD) and worked with victims of domestic abuse while providing support and community resources. She also provided counseling at the Sarabia Family Counseling Center, a community counseling center located at UTSA’s downtown campus. Most recently she also provided counseling at Jewish Family Service (San Antonio) providing individual and group counseling services to the San Antonio community. Aside from counseling, Jennifer enjoys tending to her plants, arts and crafts, spending time in nature, binging a good show on Netflix, learning, and trying new things.
Specialties
Abandonment
Anxiety
Attachment
Codependency
Depression
Grief Loss
Insomnia
Life Transitions
Mood
PTSD
Panic
Parenting
Perfectionism
Relationship
Self Esteem
Stress
Substance
Trauma
Welcome
Starting counseling is a big step that takes a lot of courage and vulnerability, so I’d like to start off by saying I am proud of you for taking this step! Counseling is a journey that we can all benefit from, whether one is seeking to process trauma, navigate a major life challenge, or learn how to cope with day-to-day stressors. Looking for a new counselor can feel a bit overwhelming, but my hopes are that with this page I can give you some insight into my training and approach to help you decide if you feel we are a good fit. Thanks for taking the time to explore my page. I look forward to working with you!
How I Work
I consider it an honor and a privilege to be a part of your journey. My goal is to not only provide a compassionate and safe space for you to tell your story, but to also build strong rapport that will serve as our foundation as I walk alongside you on your journey towards personal growth. I strive to meet you where you are with authenticity and genuine curiosity. Our minds should be treated with compassion, respect, and acceptance despite our differences, and I convey these values in session through unconditional positive regard.
In counseling, I utilize a holistic and person-centered approach as my base, while also incorporating Relational-Cultural Therapy (RCT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). The incorporation of CBT within counseling means that you may find we tune into your emotions, thoughts, behaviors and how those are interconnected and their impact on your mental health. With the incorporation of RCT, you may find that the importance of the relationships we have with ourselves, others, and society are highlighted. RCT honors our relational nature and places an emphasis on how we grow through and towards connection. A holistic and person-centered approach facilitates the formation of a treatment plan that is created with YOU in mind- your individual needs/goals, lifestyle, and personality. I will also work with you so that you take away new tools, skills, and knowledge from our sessions so that you can continue to foster your growth and changes outside of session. You are the expert in your own life, and I am here to provide guidance, support, and a place where you feel seen, as we work towards your goals and celebrate in all the victories along the way.
My goal is to not only provide a compassionate and safe space for you to tell your story, but to also build strong rapport that will serve as our foundation as I walk alongside you on your journey towards personal growth.
Therapist Spotlight
What made you decide to become a counselor?
Growing up, I’ve always enjoyed helping others and taking up volunteering opportunities. I’ve also always been fascinated in how the mind works on both a psychological and physiological level. I’d say the thing that led me to choose this career was an accumulation of classes I took in college. Specifically, one class I took as an undergrad that was taught by a counselor. She shared stories with us that I found inspiring, and this led me to pursue a master’s degree in counseling. I knew this is what I wanted to do when I started my first master’s class in counseling, left feeling inspired and excited to learn more, and saw this feeling continue to grow with each and every class I took throughout the master’s program. Helping others is something I am passionate about, and I am thankful for the knowledge I have gained throughout the years to be able to help on a professional level.
If you could teach the world one skill or technique to improve their lives, what would it be?
Self-compassion. Self-compassion is huge when trying to work through difficult moments, work through frustrations, forgiving ourselves, and being patient with ourselves through moments of growth.
Have you personally been in counseling and if so, what did you learn about yourself?
I have been to counseling. I’ve learned to acknowledge the things in my life that I can change vs the things that I can’t change and learning to trust the process as I work through challenges.
If you could recommend one book to all your clients, what would it be?
The body keeps the score.
Who is your ideal client?
My ideal client is one that is willing to be open and honest in counseling and engaged in their treatment.
What inspires you to help others?
Seeing and knowing first hand the difference it can make to someone to know that they are supported, cared for, and not alone.
How do you personally practice self-care?
I make sure to spend more time with the things and people that spark joy for me. However, If I am needing some alone time, listening to music as I paint or spending time in nature always helps me feel grounded, present, and rejuvenated!
How do you relate to Mindfulness? How do you incorporate it in your sessions?
Mindfulness is a very versatile practice and it’s something I incorporate into my day to day life. The way I incorporate it into session may vary from client to client, but some of the common ways it may see practiced in session is by helping my client process their experiences more thoroughly by helping them gain clarity on what thoughts, feelings, and physical reactions they may have been experiencing through a difficult situation. This clarity can be enlightening in helping us home in on the root of the problem. I also introduce mindfulness exercises to clients who are looking to work through trauma, anxiety, anger, and depression. But I strongly believe that mindfulness is something we can all benefit from though, so I am always happy to share mindfulness exercises to anyone who is interested.
If you are hosting a dinner party, who are the 3 people you would invite and why?
I don’t have specific people in mind, but I know that I would like to have dinner with people from different parts of the world. I love immersing myself in and learning about cultures and backgrounds that are different from mine.