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Jennifer Fitkin

Therapist profile

Jennifer Fitkin, LCSW, CSW

Iowa

Licensed Clinical Social Worker - Family and parenting concerns

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About

  • Stress and anxiety
  • Parenting support
  • CBT and ACT methods

About Jennifer

Jennifer Fitkin is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and a Clinical Social Worker (CSW) with 20 years of experience. She practices from Iowa and lists areas she addresses including stress, anxiety, parenting, anger, self-esteem, depression, addictions, relationships, family concerns, trauma and abuse, grief, life changes, and ADHD.

She began her career after earning a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master of Social Work from the University of Northern Iowa. Over two decades she has worked in a variety of settings, including residential treatment, community programs tied to foster care and juvenile justice, and corrections. Those roles have included therapist, clinical supervisor, deputy senior clinician, senior clinician, and clinical director.

Her clinical work often draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Attachment-Based Therapy, Mindfulness, Motivational Interviewing, and Solution-Focused Therapy. In practice she uses clear, goal-oriented techniques and practical exercises. She also brings experience with adoption and foster care issues, attachment concerns, and family-of-origin dynamics.

Jennifer describes an approach that emphasizes strengths and practical steps. She incorporates tools to manage emotion and behavior, improve communication, and address impulsivity or addictive patterns. She also attends to sleep, movement, and nutrition as part of overall functioning.

Outside clinical work she spends time hiking, paddleboarding, backpacking, and camping. She is a CrossFit Level 1 Trainer and has included animals in some sessions; her dog Boomer has made occasional telehealth appearances.

How sessions work

How her approaches translate to online work

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on helping people notice thoughts and feelings without getting ruled by them, then choose actions that match their values; it can help with anxiety, depression, and motivation struggles. Attachment-Based Therapy looks at patterns formed in early relationships and how they affect current connections, which can be useful for parenting questions and family-of-origin issues. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) uses practical steps to change thought patterns and behaviors, often with homework exercises to reduce symptoms like anxiety or low mood.

Finding the right mix of methods is part of the process. She works collaboratively with each person to identify which approaches fit their goals and preferences. That means trying techniques, checking what helps, and adjusting the plan together rather than sticking to one fixed method.

Confirm the specific session formats before you book, since the profile does not list them. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy day, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when needed. They also let someone join from a quieter space and avoid the need to be on camera for every visit. Talk with the therapist during the intake to decide the format and pacing that work best for everyday life.

Areas of focus

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemDepression

Also works with

AddictionsRelationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseGriefCoping with life changesADHD

Additional focus areas

Adoption and foster careAttachment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesDivorce and separationDrug and alcohol addictionFamily of origin issuesGuilt and shameImpulsivityIsolation / lonelinessLife purposeMidlife crisisMoney and financial issuesMood disordersProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-loveSocial anxiety and phobiaYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Attachment-Based TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingSolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

20+ years

Listed in

Utah, Colorado, Iowa, Florida, Texas

Languages

English

Questions

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of family or parenting concerns are addressed?

She works with adults on parenting stress, family communication problems, adoption and foster care issues, and family-of-origin concerns.

How does she approach therapy with clients?

Her style is strengths-based and practical, using goal-focused techniques like CBT, ACT, and solution-focused work to address behaviors and habits.

How much clinical experience does she have?

She has 20 years of experience across residential treatment, community programs, and correctional settings, including leadership roles such as clinical director.

What are her credentials and location?

She is listed with the credentials LCSW and CSW and practices from Iowa.

Are sessions available in other languages or internationally?

Sessions are offered in English and international clients are not currently accepted.

What session formats are offered?

Confirm the current session options before booking, as formats are not specified in the profile.

How are costs handled?

Cost varies by location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

How do I get started working with her?

Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.

Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.

Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If anyone is in danger, use the crisis numbers.

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Jennifer Fitkin

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