Jen is a registered drama therapist and is thrilled to be a part of the Thrive Creative Arts Therapy team. Jen studied under Narradrama pioneer Pamela Dunne at the Drama Therapy Institute of Los Angeles. Jen is passionate about utilizing a collaborative approach to assist clients in telling their preferred stories. Jen has worked with clients in various settings including adolescents in residential treatment at Ascend Healthcare, developmentally disabled adults with Able Arts Mobile Arts Program, as well as children with special needs at Chime Institute, an inclusion school in Los Angeles. Jen is the founder and artistic director of Light Keeper Productions, a 501 C-3 organization that produces theatre, film, and creative arts therapy projects throughout the year. The organization proudly reaches many underserved populations including seniors, veterans, Holocaust survivors and children with special needs. Jen received her master’s degree through the fellowship program at The Alabama Shakespeare Festival/University of Alabama. She received her BFA in Musical Theatre from Syracuse University. Jen is also a graduate of the Drama Therapy Institute of Los Angeles.

Jen continues to work as an actor and singer and finds that her work greatly supports her work as a drama therapist. Some of Jen's recent credits include the animated feature Sing 2 and Amelia in Undiscovered Country based on writer Amelia Basano Lanier. Favorite roles include Irene in Only a Girl a play she conceived and co-wrote based on personal interviews with Holocaust rescuer Irene Gut Opdyke. Jen is also a singer and received additional training in Austria to utilize music within a narradrama drama therapy session. Jen's favorite role to date is "Mom" to her amazing son Damian. Jen is a proud member of AEA, SAG/AFTRA, and the NADTA.