Jennifer Swanger, LMSW

Jennifer Swanger is a licensed clinical social worker in Michigan with 13 years of experience. She helps people who are feeling overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, depression, or the fallout from trauma and abuse. Her approach emphasizes a respectful, nonjudgmental space where people can talk about what matters most to them.

She focuses on practical help for addictions, relationship struggles, and mood concerns. She also works with people managing chronic pain, illness, or disability and those facing workplace strain or life transitions like divorce and separation. Sessions are driven by the client’s goals and paced to what each person needs.

Jennifer uses different ways of working depending on the issue. She draws on client-centered methods to follow what the person brings into the room. Cognitive behavioral techniques are used when identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. Motivational interviewing helps when substance use or change readiness is a focus.

Her style is straightforward and supportive. Jennifer aims to help clients build small steps that feel realistic and useful in daily life. She pays attention to communication patterns, control issues, guilt and shame, and concerns about sexuality or infidelity when those topics arise.

People who choose her often want practical tools and clear next steps. She encourages honest conversation and collaborates on plans that fit each person’s situation. To begin, clients use the Start Therapy process and follow the matching and scheduling steps provided.

How Jennifer’s approaches translate to online therapy

Client-centered therapy focuses on the person’s own goals and priorities. Online sessions using this approach start by asking what matters most and then follow the client’s pace. It’s useful for people who need a listening space and collaborative problem solving.

Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, looks at the links between thoughts, feelings, and actions. Online CBT sessions often include practical exercises and short homework tasks to try between meetings. This approach helps with anxiety, mood struggles, and unhelpful behavior patterns.

Motivational interviewing is a collaborative way to talk about change. In virtual sessions this method helps people clarify their reasons for change and build small, achievable steps toward their goals.

Choosing the right approach is a team effort. Jennifer will work with clients to figure out what fits best based on needs, goals, and preferences. Treatment plans can shift over time as progress and priorities change.

If you are considering online therapy, confirm which session formats the therapist currently offers before booking. Many people find online sessions easier to fit into work and family schedules, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and avoid travel time. Talk with the therapist about what will work best for your routine and needs.