About Jennifer Knowles, LPC-MHSP
My approach to therapy honors how emotional, physical, and intergenerational experiences shape the way we move through the world. Before becoming a therapist, I worked as an arts educator exploring generational trauma, witnessing how creativity and connection can create space for reflection and growth—a foundation that continues to guide my work today.
I provide psychotherapy for individuals navigating chronic pain and illness, trauma and life challenges, grief and loss, caregiver fatigue, and end-of-life concerns. My work draws on somatosensory psychotherapy, which uses body awareness to access emotions and process stress, and neuro-integrative psychotherapy, which explores the interplay between brain, nervous system, and lived experience to support insight, emotional regulation, and resilience.
Each person brings a unique story and way of relating to their body and mind. Together, we explore what safety, connection, and resilience feel like for you, cultivating tools and inner resources that support reflection, emotional well-being, and mindful presence beyond our sessions.
Somatic therapy is effective for many aspects of mental health.
I specialize in working with...
Chronic Pain & Illness
I work with individuals living with long-term, complex, or hard-to-diagnose conditions that affect both body and mind. Many clients come to therapy feeling misunderstood, dismissed, or exhausted by the medical system. I provide psychotherapy to support the emotional and psychological aspects of chronic medical conditions, helping clients explore how thoughts, emotions, and bodily awareness interact, develop coping strategies, and foster resilience and self-agency. Some of the conditions I commonly support include: Central nervous system disorders, such as Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Autonomic nervous system disorders, like Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) Peripheral nervous system disorders, including diabetic neuropathy and Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) Essential tremor and functional movement disorders Fibromyalgia and the emotional impact of chronic pain Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS/ME) Long COVID and post-viral illness Autoimmune conditions Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) Gastrointestinal concerns, including IBS, IBD, or chronic nausea and gagging Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) Migraines and chronic tension headaches Medically unexplained symptoms or pain with emotional components I use somatically-informed and neuro-integrative psychotherapy approaches to support awareness, emotional resilience, and self-understanding in the context of living with chronic conditions. While I do not provide medical treatment, I encourage clients to consult their healthcare providers for medical concerns and am open to collaborating with your medical team to provide comprehensive support.
Trauma & Life Challenges
I support clients in exploring the emotional and somatically-experienced impact of trauma through insight, connection, and safety. I take a gentle, client-paced approach, helping you notice patterns, build awareness, and develop strategies to navigate difficult experiences. I work with: Complex trauma (C-PTSD) and childhood trauma Medical trauma or anxiety around procedures Single-incident trauma (accidents, loss, violence) Emotional overwhelm, shutdown, or freeze states Panic, chronic anxiety, or dissociation Disconnection, numbness, or difficulty feeling grounded Vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue, or burnout Somatic experiences related to unresolved trauma Our work together focuses on supporting awareness, emotional resilience, and a stronger sense of presence and self-connection — gently, gradually, and at your pace, with tools and practices to help you navigate stress and emotional challenges in daily life.
Grief & End-of-Life Concerns
Grief takes many forms—the loss of a loved one, a sense of identity, or the life you imagined. I provide a supportive, compassionate space to navigate these transitions, including: Grieving a death (recent or long ago) Anticipatory grief related to illness or caregiving Pregnancy loss, infertility, or reproductive grief Adjusting to changes in function, autonomy, or health End-of-life transitions and existential or spiritual distress Exploring meaning, creating ritual, and reflecting on legacy Emotional support for caregivers and hospice staff Facing death with intention, presence, and dignity These moments can feel isolating. Therapy offers a safe, held space to process emotions, reflect, and find support as you move through loss at your own pace. You are not alone, and your experience is honored.
When we learn to tune in to our nervous system, we can begin to reshape our experiences—not by changing what happened, but by changing how we live with what happened.
Let's Get Science-y for a Sec...
Your brain is adaptable — always learning, noticing, and responding. It works closely with your autonomic nervous system, which influences how you experience stress, alertness, and relaxation. Depending on whether you feel safe, stressed, or overwhelmed, your mind and body respond in different ways. Part of therapy is noticing these patterns and exploring how they show up in your daily life. When stress or trauma has been ongoing — whether from major events or repeated smaller challenges — it can feel like you’re constantly on edge or emotionally exhausted. That’s a natural response to trying to stay safe, even long after the immediate threat has passed. Therapy offers a space to slow down, notice these patterns, and build awareness of how thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations interact. Just pausing, reflecting, and naming your experiences is part of creating space for insight and self-understanding. Somatic and mindfulness-informed practices in psychotherapy can support this awareness, helping you notice how your body and mind respond to stress and explore ways to respond with curiosity, presence, and self-compassion.