Provider Spotlight: Jennie Hagen Counseling
This month’s spotlight provider is Jennie Hagen of Jennie Hagen Counseling. Based in Vancouver, WA, Jennie provides warm, compassionate services to her clients as they process and heal.
In her practice, Jennie specializes in adults who are recovering and healing from childhood trauma in any form. People often underestimate how drastically old trauma can impact their daily relationships. Jennie gently guides her clients on their healing journey so that they can reclaim their wellness in all areas of life.
Jennie also offers a safe space for those who identify as LGBTQIA. Many individuals in this community have experienced significant trauma, often during their formative years. Jennie’s expertise and compassion offer them a place to heal.
To support those who have served our nation in the military, Jennie partners with the Returning Veterans Project. Veterans receive everything from massage therapy to mental health services free of charge. Participating vets can get the help they deserve without jumping through the VA hoops.
Jennie Hagen collaborates with The Returning Veterans Project to help provide services free of charge.
Ready to Serve from a Young Age
Jennie is one of those lucky people who knew early on what she wanted to do as a job. She filled out one of those career exploration assessments in high school that pointed her in this direction, and it perfectly aligned with the role she played within her peer group. She was the helper and the go-to person when friends needed a listening ear or extra support.
Additionally, Jennie had a wonderful experience with her own high school counselor, and she knew exactly what she was meant to do. After graduating from high school, she received her BS in psychology from Portland State University, followed by a Masters in Counseling Psychology from Lewis and Clark College.
Jennie has a heart and passion for social justice issues, partly stemming from a family move when she was in eighth grade. Moving from a fairly diverse city to a smaller town with a distinct lack of diversity created a huge culture shock.
By the time Jennie got to college in downtown Portland, she was eager to jump into the grassroots social justice movements that enveloped the campus community. And at Lewis and Clark, she had the chance to study these same issues from a different academic perspective. All of these experiences brought her to the career she now enjoys.
Jennie Hagen is an ally and full supporter of social justice movements and reform.
Even in a supposedly mundane marketing class, Jennie received confirmation that she was on the right path. After the 2004 election, her class was processing the events unfolding on a local and national level. Her professor allowed the students time to sit and reflect and breathe through their feelings. That offer of emotional support and a safe space reinforced Jennie’s eagerness to do the same for others.
Giving Other Providers a Hand
In addition to her counseling practice, Jennie owns and operates Vancouver Counseling Center. This shared workspace facility allows other providers to rent offices for their practices or to have a virtual space as they serve clients remotely.
Jennie understands what it’s like to start building a practice. And she’s gone through the anxiety of searching for a suitable space while growing your client base. This first-hand experience is why she offers her tenants options starting at just five hours per week.
While she worked in community mental health and outreach programs, Jennie always knew she’d start her own practice. And in 2014, the dream became a reality!
Vancouver Counseling Center
Starting in Portland at the Portland Therapy Center, she eventually moved across the river to Vancouver. Under the mentorship of PTC’s owner, Jeff Guenther, Jennie opened Vancouver Counseling Center, modeled on Jeff’s space.
Community and Family
Jennie is all about community and inclusiveness in her practice. She hosts monthly coffee chats for other practitioners to connect and ask questions and receive support. She loves to see fellow providers grow and thrive in their practices.
And when she’s not at work? Jennie loves to be outside. Although she doesn't do as much of it as she did in her pre-kid life, skiing, hiking, and kayaking fill many hours for Jennie and her family. And rumor has it that she bakes amazing cupcakes!
If you or a loved one are looking for counseling services, reach out to Jennie to see if her practice is the right fit for you. And for providers looking for office space, be sure to connect with her at Vancouver Counseling Center to get started.