Meet Jennie!    Jennie Wison is a Licenced Professional Counselor, and a child therapist with Step By Step Counseling.  She enjoys working with ages 3-12 and their caregivers.

Jennie is fascinated with how the brain works and how the body and nervous system reacts to day-to-day experiences. She draws from the neuroscience and polyvagal framework and applies it to her therapeutic process.    She believes in neuroplasticity, or the brain’s ability to form new neural connections and heal from traumas, learn new skills, and make positive changes. When working with clients she firmly believes that they are capable of feeling better. She is passionate about the concept of growth mindset! 

Jennie has completed TAC (Training for Adoption Competency) – a 12 month, 72-hour evidence-based program that helps provide competent services for all 3 sides of the adoption triad whether you are coming to her from the perspective of the biological family member, the adoptive parents, or the adoptee. She views working within the adoption triad as an honor. 

Jennie enjoys running groups in the office. She currently runs a parent group, the pre-school play therapy group, and elementary groups. She welcomes office practicum and internship students to co-facilitate groups because she strongly believes in the process.

A few areas of interest are:

• Adoption or Guardianship Attachment (International, Domestic or Fostercare)
• Anxiety / Depression
• Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD)
• Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD)
• Autism Spectrum (ASD)
• Sensory Integration
• Behavioral & Emotional Concerns
• Mood and Emotional Regulation

Articles or blogposts written by therapist

• Self-Care for Parents at Home
• Managing stress from social media and news outlets
• Tips for easing back to school 
• Anger Busters
• Benefits of Safe and Sound Protocol
• Get the most out of Safe and Sound Protocol
• Benefits of Fostercare Groups
• What kids remember is not the score…it’s you

Noteworthy 

• Founded Pathways to Play membership to support child and adolescent therapists
• Founded SPARK IOP, Intensive out patient therapy for children ages 5-11 yrs
• Created Spark Momentum, 12 week course for families in crisis
• Founded Parent Hub, membership to support parents, caregivers, and guardians
• Authored: Journey of Hope: 52-Week Guided Insights and Reflections for Foster Parents

Availability and Location

Hours:

• 7:30-1  (Monday-Friday) for individual appointments, she prefers weekly or every other week committment from clients and their families
• Late afternoon reserved for spark
• Saturday mornings reserved for groups

Location:

• Saint Charles office
• Telehealth

Get to know Jennie!

Outside of the office Jennie enjoys spending time with her husband and 5 children. Jennie is a foster/adopt parent in the state of Missouri and enjoys connecting with the foster & adoptive community both professionally and personally.  Many families report they run into her at the park, community events, and city sporting events. While she didn’t inherit a green thumb from her grandfather, she carries on the tradition of gardening and enjoys planting veggies and flowers each spring with her children. If you ask, she loves sharing what she’s growing or attempting to grow each summer.  She welcomes all gardening advice!

In 2016 Jennie won the Katherine Boone Outstanding Play Therapist Award. She’s grateful for such a wonderful play therapy community of colleagues across the state of Missouri. 

In 2021 Jennie was nominated and won C.A.S.E’s 2021 TAC Star of Adoption. (Click on that link to learn more!)   The Center for Adoption Support and Education provides this award for clinicians who have an “eye towards the future of adoption competent therapy and practice these values first hand…” and use their experience “…to transform their practice and better serve adoptive, foster, and kinship families.” 

Work with Jennie!

Jennie can be described as high energy and knowledgeable.  Her client’s parents have reported that she is welcoming and professional, as well as honest with her feedback. Clients can expect for sessions to start on time, end on time and always have a safe space to address concerns that they might have.    Many of her clients appreciate her generosity in lending out books or resources she has in her office. They have also appreciated that she will accept the request for a parent session anytime that it’s requested. 

Please note: She does not have any afterschool or evening availability outside of her groups. If you are interested in working with her, please schedule through our online form.