Jen Sellitto-Penoza, LCSW (she/her/they/them)
Co-Founder & Director of Postnatal Support Advocates
Jennifer Ewald, LCSW, M.Ed. (she/her/hers)
Co-Founder of Postnatal Support Advocates & President of Balanced Mind Journey
Jen is a native Delawarean with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology & Women’s Studies from the University of Delaware, a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Widener University and has been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Delaware since 2013.
As a social worker, Jen is grounded in Social Justice Values. As such, she has worked diligently to create safe, open, supportive and accepting spaces in an effort to establish valuable connections with clients for them to process their concerns, enhance their awareness, create healing and address any issues that are keeping them from engaging in life as they desire.
In her years before operating in a private practice setting, Jen had the honor of working with many adolescents and adults, through group & individual counseling as well as programs established to help those who are healing from and to prevent experiences of relational and sexual abuse. Jen also has experience in crisis management, education, outreach, advocacy, and primary prevention work.
In August 2018, Jen established her own private practice, Acceptance Counseling, in Middletown, Delaware. In July of 2020 she moved her location for more flexibility to 505 Main St. Odessa. In the summer of 2022, Jen formally transitioned away from direct client work to become the Director of Postnatal Support Advocates and mentor the next generation of mental health therapists.
During her time in direct service work, Jen worked individually with young adults, adults and older adults who are working through a variety of concerns, including but not limited to: general life adjustments and transitions, stress, school/work/life balance, self-esteem, coping skills, communication skills, relationships, sexuality, Anxiety, Panic, OCD, Depression, Grief/Loss, ADHD, HSP, PTSD, PPD, PPA, Trauma and Abuse. She affirms LGBTQIA+, Kink & Poly experiences, is consistently working to be Anti-racist & to implement an Anti-oppression ideology as well as to be fully inclusive in her work.
Jen understands the challenges that people have in their attempts to access a meaningful connection with a mental health provider in order to achieve the healing, growth & support they seek. As such, she has been fully committed to providing the energy, space, information and supportive relationship necessary to do the challenging but fulfilling work. To do so, she utilizes herself within a variety of therapy modalities such as Person-Centered, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness-Based (Meditation, Yoga & Reiki), Trauma-Focused, Gestalt/Experiential, Psychodynamic, ISTT (Integrative Somatic Trauma Therapy) and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing).
During her years of practicing in the field of psychotherapy, Jen has been in awe to witness the triumph of the human spirit’s ability to heal & grow and she is constantly humbled to be a part of clients’ journeys to healing and wellness. As humans, we are relational beings, therefore healing and growth are most optimal in the context of a supportive human relationship. Jen has strived to provide this type of relationship for any & all clients that she has been fortunate to come into contact with in her practice. Jen is excited to utilize her experience and passion as The Director of Postnatal Support Advocate as she understands that the transition to parenthood is one of the most critical and incredible transitions of our human experience. Jen is truly humbled to be able to bear witness and support birthing parents in their all encompassing experience.
Jenn is a Delaware native who holds a Dual Bachelors Degree from the University of Delaware in Psychology & Women’s Studies and a Dual Masters Degree in Social Work & Human Sexuality Education from Widener University. Sheis a well-seasoned Licensed Clinical Social Worker who is both fully rooted in social work values while simultaneously challenging oppressive ideology, in any and all places that affect our lives, including the field of social work itself. She is fiercely passionate about constantly continuing her work towards being an anti-racist, inclusive practitioner and advocate for justice.
Jenn is the founder of Balanced Mind Counseling, established in 2015 in Middletown, Delaware and 2018 in Milford, Delaware. She is also the Co-Founder of The Healing Cottage, a holistic healing and community space where bodies of all shapes, sizes, colors, abilities, orientations + identities are valued and welcome. In 2021, she and Jen Sellitto-Penoza co-founded Postnatal Support Advocates. In the Fall of 2022, Jenn stepped away from direct client work to preside over daily operation of PSA, Balanced Mind Counseling and The Healing Cottage.
When Jenn provided therapy with clients, she utilized a holistic, collaborative and strengths-based approach to mental wellness. Her therapy practice has been deeply entrenched in the strength, justice, integrity, dignity and worth of the person. Because the mind and body are inextricably connected, she also has integrated mindful therapy practices, such as yoga, reiki and somatic therapy techniques, into her sessions as a powerful healing tool. Jenn has always been aware that entering into a counseling/emotional wellness relationship can be an unfamiliar, uncomfortable and difficult decision. This is why she has been dedicated to creating a safe, supportive & trustworthy environment for clients to explore, heal and grow. This continues to be evidenced by all spaces she has created for clients to seek healing services.
During her years in practice, Jenn specialized in working with pregnant and postnatal clients, couples, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, birth trauma survivors, and clients interested in holistic healing practices. She is an ardent advocate for gestational parents' birthing rights and postnatal care. As such, she has dedicated much of her time and energy on becoming well informed and trained as a Birth Monopoly Know Your Rights Constituent, bebo mia Maternal Support Practitioner and a DONA International Birth & Postpartum Doula as a means to fully support clients during their pregnancy, 4th trimester and beyond.
Jenn is also available for speaking engagements, consultation and licensing supervision. She considers it an honor and privilege to be on this healing and wellness journey with her clients.