From working in child protective services to correctional mental health and forensics, Jennifer Weaver’s 20+ years of experience in community mental health positioned her to open her own practice, POLARIS COUNSELING AND CONSULTING, LLC, in 2015. Ever since, she and a carefully chosen clinical team have been delivering individualized care to address a range of psychological needs, with a goal of achieving overall well-being and self-actualization.
Jennifer discovered her interest in psychology at a young age. “I have been absolutely obsessed with neuroscience and human behavior since I was a teenager,” she shares. “I love making the connection between the biology of someone’s brain and why certain behaviors follow. I believe when you can explain to someone why they do what they do, you can help shape and change those behaviors for them.”
She took that spark and pursued a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Providence College, followed by a master’s degree in rehabilitation studies and Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in mental health counseling, both from Salve Regina University, and she holds a License in Mental Health Counseling in the state of Rhode Island. Her expertise in forensic psychology, paired with extensive training in behavior analysis and criminal and addictive thinking, position her as a sought-after authority consulting on these topics. At Polaris Counseling, she specializes in treating first responders and those involved with the court system.
Clients at Polaris are challenged to take their well-being into their own hands, embarking on a mental health journey that’s tailored to their needs and led by an experienced team of psychotherapists and holistic health experts. Seasoned staff challenge individuals to re-frame their idea of true wellness and upend routines and stressors that have been weighing them down. Along with providing these services, Polaris offers boutique consulting experiences to corporate, non-profit, and professional teams intent on prioritizing mental health in their policies and procedures. Through mental health sensitivity training and workshops to prevent burnout, Polaris helps employers and employees forge healthier work environments.
When not practicing at the office, Jennifer is busy travelling locally to work with first responders, providing mental health and substance abuse training to 20 fire departments across the state, or sharing her expertise as an adjunct professor in the Counseling Graduate Program at Johnson & Wales University. Her specialized knowledge is in high demand, sending her across the country – to Indianapolis and Los Angeles so far this year – to give speaking engagements on sexual assault and consent to thousands of college students.
“I’m proud that we’ve treated over 2,500 patients, and I’m proud that patients from years ago still send their friends and family my way and report back to me that they still remind themselves daily of tools they learned in session,” says Jennifer. And Polaris has only grown since its conception from one office into two, in North Providence and Smithfield, and this year, Jennifer is excited to announce the addition of a third location in Johnston. The practice is also expanding to include a total of 17 full-time clinicians.
For those seeking ways to live and feel better, Jennifer reminds potential clients that the process need not be daunting. “Therapy is accessible and therapists are average people who can work to understand your brain chemistry so you can better understand yourself.”
1635 Mineral Spring Avenue, North Providence
401-349-4269
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here