Hello! I’m Jennifer Stoakes, MA, LMHC
A Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in Washington State with over two decades of experience in the field.
For the past two decades, my clinical focus has centered on children. I’ve consistently found that involving parents in a child’s therapy is the most crucial aspect of our work. My extensive experience is rooted in supporting parents and helping them become the best possible caregivers for their children. Shifting my focus to work directly with parents is a natural progression, driven by the profound lessons I’ve learned from the families I’ve had the privilege to assist. After all, parents are a child’s most invaluable resource.
My Education and Experience:
I have accumulated extensive experience working with children and families across diverse environments, including roles in childcare, facilitating new mom’s groups, contributing to a school for children experiencing homelessness, engaging in psychotherapy sessions with children, adult individuals and parents, and teaching Aikido to adults, children and teenagers.
I earned a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology from Seattle University in 2004, following a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Antioch University. I have been a student of Aikido since 1999 and have attained the level of a fourth-degree black belt. I regularly participate in workshops and lectures to broaden my expertise and understanding. Moreover, I maintain close connections with mentors possessing extensive experience, providing invaluable support for my professional endeavors.
Aikido:
Aikido, often referred to as the Art of Peace, is a Japanese martial art that serves as a blend of physical and spiritual discipline, aiming to cultivate heightened awareness and effective conflict resolution skills. The integration of my studies in Psychology and Aikido has been an integral part of my journey from the outset. During my time in graduate school, I often pondered the absence of a focus on the body in Western psychology. It was at the dojo where I delved into understanding the embodied connections with myself and others.
I have come to realize that fostering healing in relationships begins with fostering self-awareness. Aikido’s ethical foundation, which views an aggressor as an individual in crisis rather than a malevolent entity, plays a pivotal role in comprehending human interactions across various domains. It represents a study in acknowledging another person’s need for security while ensuring our own safety, all while operating under demanding circumstances. Sound a little like parenting?
For more information on Aikido, visit www.twocranesaikido.com
