Jennifer Yessa-Kast, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Jennifer is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who received her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Social Work from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She has been in private practice since 1998.
Jennifer’s emphasis is working with teens and adults throughout their lifespan providing individual therapy, with couples and family work incorporated into the individual’s treatment goals.
Jennifer utilizes client-centered, insight-oriented, cognitive-behavioral, psychodynamic, solution-focused, mindfulness-based, integrative, and holistic therapy in her practice.
Jennifer has received specialized training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia, Mindfulness, and a Grief Support Specialty. She has recently been trained in Brainspotting and is working towards certification.
Brainspotting is a type of therapeutic intervention that helps clients process and release traumatic experiences. Different eye positions or brainspots are linked to certain trauma events, intense feelings, or strong sources of distress. The goal is to move from emotional dysregulation, that can interfere with relationships, work performance, to emotional regulation, which then allows better cognitive processing of those traumatic or distressing events.
Jennifer specializes in the following mental health concerns:
Anxiety-generalized, perfectionism, phobias
Depression-situational or chronic, suicidality, self-harm behaviors
Insomnia
Grief Counseling
Trauma
Adjustment to a Cancer Diagnosis
ADHD
Divorce Adjustment/Single Parenting/Blended Family Adjustment
Job-related stress
Self-esteem/Personal Growth
Emotional regulation
Communication skills
Jennifer has a strong passion for supporting individuals and their families coping with a cancer diagnosis and the loss of a loved one. For over ten years, Jennifer has been a group facilitator at Gilda’s Club in Middleton, WI, a Cancer Support Community.
Jennifer's genuine and personable approach to therapy provides a warm environment that allows clients a safe place to address their most difficult life challenges and facilitate changes to improve their quality of life.
