Hi, I’m Jennifer. I believe that what happened to you does not define you.

Jennifer V. Kulka, LCSW

Hey! I’m a trauma therapist providing virtual therapy services to residents of California, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Florida.

I was studying at San Diego State University to find the intersection of feminism and psychology and I landed within the world of gender-based violence. Through my Master’s degree coursework and internships, I realized that I was also a survivor of sexual violence, and so were most of my family and friends. I connect with clients from a place of personal experience and solidarity, which makes clients feel seen and heard.

I’ve worked in multiple settings with folks who have experienced trauma; rape crisis centers, community mental health agencies, private intensive outpatient centers, and now have chosen to continue the work in my own private practice.

I help clients make sense of what happened, understand their feelings, and trust others again. I want clients to feel like they are putting the pieces together. I work with my clients to help them feel safe in the world.

I do this by tailoring the therapeutic work to each client—I am “eclectic” meaning I do not use only one type of therapy. I have seen great results using: EMDR, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and I am currently geeking out about body-based somatic therapies!

What Do I Do?

So, what actually happens in session? This depends on a lot of things, including what a client wants to work on.

  • Strategies to help with trauma symptoms, such as flashbacks, trouble sleeping, self-blame, rumination, feeling on-edge, anxiety, and so on

  • Processing of emotions, events, beliefs

  • Understanding and release of shame and self-blame

  • Education about trauma, the body, and the brain

  • Working through difficult decisions

  • Preparing for future challenges

  • Self-exploration and acceptance

  • Hopefully some laughs and pivotal moments

  • Also, I can provide EMDR or Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy virtually!

I believe that someone cannot be a safe therapist without challenging systemic oppression.

 My Values

I believe it is never too late to heal, grow, or change. I am extremely passionate about social justice, anti-capitalism, and decolonization, all of which are relevant to sexual and relationship trauma. Integrating anti-oppressive practices and values both personally and professionally is a work-in-progress as a privileged cis white woman, but one I am committed to. I do my best to dismantle the structures that uphold violence and hatred in our communities, while working one-on-one with clients to heal their wounds from these structures. I assist clients to explore how systems are impacting their health and how to disrupt this impact, rather than adjust to living beneath it. My goal is to remain culturally grounded, affirming, and humble when working with clients from identities differing from my own.

 Also…I LOVE BOOKS

*Affiliate Disclaimer: This is an affiliate link, meaning I will get a small commission if you sign up through my link, and you will get a discount too!