Words by & Images by Justin Hunter

Jennifer Terry's goals as a counselor are to reverse the Southern stigma of therapy and watch her clients walk in wholeness. She launched her private practice at the beginning of 2022 after a decade of working in the field. Jennifer also serves as the Assistant Director at TriCounty Agency for Intellectual Disabilities.

"I believe it's important for men and women, especially in the South, to understand they aren't weak for going to therapy or visiting a counselor. It's ok not to be ok," said Jennifer. "The ‘pull yourself up by your boots, suck it up, and get over it’ sort of approach to mental health isn't working. The first steps to wholeness begin with a simple ‘yes’ and contacting a counselor."

Jennifer is a general counselor with a passion for seeing individuals overcome their past traumas. She specializes in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy. EMDR is a relatively new, nontraditional type of psychotherapy. It's growing in popularity, particularly for treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD often occurs after experiences such as military combat, physical assault, rape, or car accidents. Psychologist Francine Shapiro developed EMDR in the late 1980s.

"If an individual is suffering from trauma, I suggest they seek out the right counselor and develop a treatment plan. Sometimes you need to go to their office and sit down with a trained professional to help you talk through what's going on in your life," says Jennifer. "Your next of kin or a best friend can't give you the advice and guidance you need to hear. Never forget a counselor's office is a safe space."

Jennifer and her family live in Jasper. She grew up in Fayette, Alabama, and graduated from Hubbertville High School in 1989. She earned her bachelor's degree from Kaplan University in 2009. Jennifer continued her education journey at The University of Alabama, obtaining her first Master's in Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling in 2011. After working for several years in the rehabilitation field, she returned to school to acquire her second Master’s, this time in forensic psychology from Argosy University in 2017.

"I want future clients to understand that I'm settled here in Jasper, and I'm not planning on leaving in a couple of years. I'm looking forward to establishing great connections with my clients," said Jennifer.

The services Jennifer offers range from general counseling to highly specialized evaluations that include Veteran's TDIU, Vocational Evaluations, Cognitive Functional Capacity Evaluations, Psychosexual Evaluations, Immigration Evaluation, and Life Care Plans.

"It's a good thing to invest in yourself, and I'm here to help," said Jennifer. 78

To schedule an appointment, please call (205) 544-1998 or email Jennifer at jenniferterrycrc@gmail.com