Rising Stars: Meet Jennifer Sandler

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Sandler.

Hi Jennifer, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.

Hi! I am thrilled to have this opportunity— so thank you! I am a therapist and parent coach. I love the work that I get to do with parents-it is a true joy and passion of mine.  

It was my own challenging initiation into parenthood that brought me to this work. Before having children I  worked as an individual and family therapist in the fields of mental health and substance use. My expertise was working with teenagers, families and adults. And then I became a parent. When my children were young I wanted to do it  “right”— to have parenthood feel good, to feel confident in supporting each of my children’s growth along the way, and to have it all figured out. 

I wanted our home to be kind and smooth and what I believed to be what “normal” healthy families look like. Enter reality—feeling resentful,  overwhelmed, and like the victim to my child’s every emotion and circumstance. Even with all the formal training I had, I did not feel the competence and confidence as a parent that I envisioned and desired.

So I dedicated myself to learning about the incredible research and brain-based methodologies and roadmaps out there and put it to the test in my own home. I wanted my parenting to be neurologically and anthropologically informed. Now I feel  the confidence, competence, and  ENJOYMENT that the younger version of myself so deeply desired. I  am so thrilled to help support other parents to find their way to more peace, connection, growth, and confidence at home and within themselves.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The journey and initiation that parenthood inherently is was NOT a smooth road (at least not for me). I found it confusing, isolating, and hard to decipher. It felt very lonely and frustrating. However, once I found community, support, mentorship, and further education that were in line with the parent I aspired to become, I began to feel more comfortable and at ease with my parenting. This journey has helped me execute a connection-based approach to parenting for myself and is the lens in which I support parents.

Thanks – so what else should our  readers know about your work and  what you’re currently focused on?

Parenting is the most or one of the most important jobs we will ever have and we are thrown in with very little training. We know how we were parented, how other people parent,  and the often-contradicting opinions of experts. And then there’s that little voice deep inside that tells you there is another, maybe better, way. 

It is my privilege to support parents as they uncover that voice and empower themselves to be the parents they strive to be. I support parents through skill building,  education, and exploring the stories,  past wounds, and other aspects that may be standing between a parent and their best parenting self. 

This is deep and meaningful work and I truly believe the biggest gift a parent can give their child(ren) and themselves. I am proud to collaborate and co-create with the parents I work with. Parents know their children best. I trust a parent’s intuition and instincts and offer support to help them unpack and uncover what is being asked of them as a parent. 

Along with the humility of honoring parent’s innate wisdom, I have lots of paradigms, strategies, research,  tools, and perspectives that support and empower my clients to become benevolent leaders of their families. We do this work together through individual (or both parents)  and/or group sessions. I love to bring humor and authenticity to my practice—as I am concurrently navigating my own ever-evolving parenting journey. 

What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?

The quality that I feel is most important to my success is reverence for the parents and trust in the supporting process. I deeply respect my clients and their life’s journeys. I respect and honor what they have learned from their own lives and experiences that shape who they are today as an individual and as a parent. From that foundation of respect and honor, we can collaborate and co-create the family life that they want to build. I also pride myself on my listening skills.

Pricing:

• 50 minute session-$150.00 • 80 minute session-$225.00 • It is of great value that my services are accessible to all members of our community, which is why I offer a sliding payment scale. Please inquire for more information about this.
• Virtual and in-person topic-driven group sessions are also offered bi weekly.

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.jsparenting.com