About Jlynn (Jennifer) Franklin, LCSW
As a queer, feminist therapist, my practice is built on a pretty simple truth: you aren't broken, but the rigid societal expectations surrounding us might be. Together, we will look at how systemic pressures, culture, gender socialization and relational patterns are taking up way too much unconscious space in your mind (and probably most people’s minds). We will gently unpack the external "shoulds" you've been carrying and untangle them from who you actually are. Think of it as a collaborative process to shed the self-blame, reclaim your power, and maybe roll our eyes at the patriarchy along the way.
In our sessions, I deliberately cultivate an egalitarian therapeutic relationship to actively deconstruct the traditional power imbalance between therapist and client. That's a lot of words for I don't pretend to be an all-knowing guru—you are the ultimate authority on your own lived experience, and I'm your partner in gently calming your inner critics. We will work collaboratively as fellow humans in a warm, welcoming space where we can celebrate your wins, navigate your heaviest days, and find plenty of moments to laugh together. Your inner wisdom is already there; I’m just here to help you peel back the layers until you can clearly see it again.
~Jlynn (she/her/hers)
Jlynn Franklin, LCSW, MA, MEd
Jlynn's Approach
Philosophy
The foundation of your treatment is based on attachment theory and biology. I find it essential to understand how your upbringing plays into your current level of emotional distress. We are often programmed to repeat the attachment wounding that we've experienced in earlier relationships; we become neurologically wired to react to the signals that we pick up in our environment, whether they are appropriate reactions or not.
Relational Psychology
I firmly believe that change happens in relationship. In individual therapy, this means that regardless of the direction that we decide on for treatment, special attention will be placed on how we engage with each other, and how our relationship reflects what happens for you other social contexts, whether that be with your partner, your children, colleagues, or friends. The dynamics that occur outside the consulting room often have a way of finding the way into the therapeutic relationship, providing a wealth of information of patterns of interaction and ways of being. Sometimes these patterns are reflections of what our environments of expected us, or how people have seen us. Sometimes they are a reflection of what the people closest to us have not recognized or seen in us or how the world has not received us.
My relational approach integrates mind-body modalities such as EMDR, IFS, & Emotion-Focused Therapy. As we process early attachments and complex trauma, we begin to experience the past with more compassion and a neurological shift occurs in our brains' wiring; This opens up the possibility of changing how we relate to ourselves and others in the present.
We’ll take time to uncover the root causes of patterns in thoughts, feelings and behaviors that shape how you move through the world. As we process unresolved past experiences, a neurological shift occurs in our brains' wiring, opening up the possibility of responding, rather than reacting to the situation at hand. From this place, we’ll discover practical ways to respond to challenges for lasting, meaningful change
Mindfulness & Somatic Integration
I believe that healing begins when we become aware of our deeply ingrained reactive patterns and develop an ability to simply observe with curiosity those emotions as they arise in each moment, in the body. When we become aware of our reactivity and start to understand the historical reasons for the surges of emotion, we can begin to develop compassion for ourselves. It starts to be possible to accept whatever emotion is happening in the moment, without getting lost in it. In developing compassion for ourselves in these moments, a neurological shift occurs in our brain's wiring, opening up the possibility of responding rather than reacting to the situation at hand. I intentionally integrate mindfulness and somatic therapy into all sessions when clients are receptive to it.
Professional Background
Education
Master's Degree in Clinical Social Work from Smith College for Social Work, 2015
Master's Degree in Diverse Education from The University of Arizona, 2003
BA in Spanish & BA in Anthropology from the University of Idaho, 1997
Certifications
Somatic Therapy for Complex Trauma Certification
EMDR Standard Training Levels 1 & 2
I have been consistently using EMDR in client sessions since 2013, and have received professional supervision & on-going training
Meditation Instructor: Not a certification, but a life qualification
Jlynn has been actively practicing & teaching meditation from the Theravada and Tibetan Buddhist traditions since 2013. She integrates this knowledge, presence and somatic grounding into all of her sessions with clients.
Experience
15 + Years of Practice
In private practice in Montana & Colorado since 2017
Mental Health Practitioner at Cortez Integrated Health Care
Fellowship at The University of Colorado at Boulder
Internship at Mental Health Partners in Boulder, Colorado
Internship through The Boulder Institute for Psychotherapy and Research (BIPR) in Boulder, Colorado
Case Manager/Counselor for Family Self-Sufficiency in Boulder, Colorado