Albany Therapists
“Jennifer “Jen Beard, CSWA
Clinical Social Work Associate
Hey there! I’m Jen Beard, and I’m passionate about supporting individuals through life’s challenges with empathy and understanding.
Outside of therapy, I find immense joy in exploring the Great outdoors, particularly hiking and backpacking in remote places. I also have a deep appreciation for music – both listening to and going to live shows. At home, you’ll often find me playing and dancing with my kiddo or surrounded by a hodgepodge of arts and craft supplies – painting, embroidering, drawing. These interests enrich my practice by reminding me of the importance of creativity, connection, and self-expression in healing and personal growth.
Jen's Approach
My approach is rooted in fostering a collaborative and trusting relationship with my clients. Together, we will work towards identifying your strengths and creating an individualized plan that will empower you to navigate life’s challenges with more confidence and clarity. I approach my practice with an open mind and value self-determination. When appropriate, I believe in the power of creative expression, integrating art, music, play, and other forms of storytelling into therapy sessions, rooted in a Narrative Therapy framework. I also draw from Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. I am particularly passionate about helping clients with grief & loss, big life changes, trauma, self-empowerment, relationships, and identity.
More About Jen Beard
Experience
I have experience with diverse populations with ages spanning from 2 to 102 years old. Most recently, I worked in a community health outpatient setting. I was a mental health therapist for children and offered individual and family therapy in clinic and school settings. Before that, I was a Medical Social Worker in hospice, providing assistance and counseling to terminally ill clients and their families. During my time at hospice, I also conducted a bereavement group, serving people who had recently lost a loved one.
In a variety of other settings, I have provided couples counseling, worked with individuals under the Psychiatric Security Review Board, and worked with children with autism. I have led many-a mental health groups, covering topics including grief, empowerment, relationships, body image, music, and more. My first job in the mental health field, I worked with teens in a residential unit that focused on Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), thus DBT is a lens I regularly look through.
Education
Masters of Social Work (clinical social work focus) – Portland State University
Can I Help You?
I treat patients for:
- Anxiety, worry, stress, panic
- Bipolar disorder
- Depression, grief, loss, sadness
- Eating Disorders
- LGBTQIA+ related issues
- OCD: Obsessive-compulsive thoughts or actions
- Relationship struggles (couple, family, or parenting)
- Traumatic events/ Trauma/ PTSD
- Other
