JENNIFER JACKSON, MS, MFTC
My Own Healing Journey Inspired Me To Become A Therapist
I have been on a path of self-discovery and growth for most of my adult life. After graduating with a degree in Music from Yale University, I began my professional life as an educator, first as a full-time music teacher, then as a Waldorf class teacher. While I loved my work with the children, I realized how I approached my life was unsustainable. After almost three decades of severe, chronic insomnia and no sense of work-life balance, I was developing chronic back pain, digestive issues, and my second marriage was in trouble. It was time for a change.
I left full-time teaching, opened a private piano studio, and began a journey of deep healing. Along the way, I found an energy-psychology technique called “Tapping,” which was the first remedy to dramatically shift my anxiety-related insomnia—and, believe me, I thought I had tried everything! Now, in my fifties, I sleep better than I did in my teens, twenties, and thirties.
This technique was such a miracle for me that I quickly became a certified tapping practitioner and began helping others release anxiety, trauma, and other stress-related issues. But over the years, I noticed that while tapping was highly effective for people who were happily single or in supportive relationships, it was much less effective for people who were in distressed relationships. While I could usually help people feel better in session, we made little progress resolving issues if a distressed relationship was a strong contributing factor.
Discovering Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) Changed My Work With Clients
Given the vast numbers of people in distressed relationships, I realized it was time to expand my toolbox beyond tapping. I went back to school and completed my M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy at Capella University to become a licensed therapist. In my second quarter I learned about Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and the proverbial light bulb went off in my head.
After reading just a few paragraphs about EFT, I suddenly understood why couples therapy in my first marriage had ended in divorce and couples therapy in my second marriage had permanently deepened our relationship. The first therapist had focused only on symptoms, while the second therapist went straight to the heart of the matter—the attachment bond. As testimony, after completing therapy in 2012, our marriage—now well into its third decade—is stronger today than it has ever been.
I immediately began my journey toward becoming an EFT therapist and completed the necessary advanced training. My interests grew to working with individuals and helping with the important relationships we all have with ourselves and others. I then completed advanced training in Emotionally Focused Therapy for Individuals (EFIT). The more I learn as an EFT therapist for couples and individuals, the more passionate I become, and the more I know this is my path.
The Transformative Power Of EFT
When choosing a therapeutic model, I knew I wanted one that took a non-pathologizing stance of curiosity and unconditional positive regard for one’s clients. I also knew I wanted a model that harnessed the power of emotions for deep growth and change. I’ve found the key to my own growth and change has been to identify, understand, and work with strong emotions. When I discovered EFT, I knew within minutes I had found my model – or, as several of my professors said, my model found me.
In addition to focusing on emotions, EFT looks at everything through the lens of attachment theory and neuroscience, which has been eye-opening for me. My father is a medical doctor and instilled in me an appreciation for research and science. Furthermore, as a musician, I have also always valued artistry. EFT has decades of research to support its efficacy and is the only couple’s therapy to qualify as an evidence based model. EFT feels to me like a beautiful blend of artistry and science.
Allow Me To Be Your Compassionate Guide
I know what it’s like to be in an anxious, distressed place personally, and I know what it’s like to be in a distressed relationship. I’ve personally experienced both ineffective and effective individual and couple therapy. Thankfully, I now know how it feels to be in a grounded, centered place personally and what it is like to experience a deeply secure, intimate, satisfying long-term relationship. I believe that helping people move from that distressed place into trust, intimacy, and security is what I am called to do in this life. I’m thrilled to be working with Rachel and the team at RCC Colorado and I look forward to helping you restore and deepen your connection to Self and/or your partner.
What I Enjoy Outside Of Work
I am deeply passionate about the arts. My husband and I met while swing dancing and began competing together on a performance team. We currently perform with the Flatiron Flyers team in Boulder. I’m involved with a vocal improvisation group and frequently attend local artistic performances. I’ve participated in community theater musicals, sung in choirs and bands, and have played piano since I was six years old. Additionally, I make time for daily physical activity, whether it’s Zumba, swimming, biking, hiking, or walking. I’ve hiked over 100 trails in the Boulder area and previously competed in triathlons and open water swimming events.
I’m a member of numerous associations for mental health professionals, including the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), The International Center for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy (ICEEFT), the Delta Kappa International Marriage and Family Therapy Honor Society, and the Boulder Community for Emotionally Focused Therapy (BCEFT), where I am a Board member and assist in local EFT trainings.
Jennifer Jackson is a Marriage and Family therapist at RCC Colorado in Boulder, CO. She is a certified tapping practitioner and has completed advanced training in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for couples and individuals. She draws from attachment theory to help clients develop secure, healthy long-term relationships. Jennifer received her Master of Science degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Capella University and holds a bachelor’s degree in Music from Yale University.
Next Steps
If you feel my work might be a good fit for your needs, please reach out to me via phone at 720-679-6266, or click the button below to schedule a free consultation.
