Jennifer Fitkin, LCSW, CSW - Therapist in Iowa

About Jennifer

Jennifer Fitkin is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with two decades of clinical experience. She works from Iowa and brings practical skills to common family and parenting concerns. Her style is straightforward and focused on solutions that fit daily life.

She uses plain language in sessions and helps parents and individuals talk through stress, anger, anxiety, and relationship struggles. Sessions often focus on next steps people can try at home.

Background and approach

Jennifer blends hands-on strategies with attention to how relationships and attachment shape behavior. Her background includes work in residential treatment, foster care support, juvenile justice settings, and correctional rehabilitation. That range shaped a practical, no-nonsense approach to problem solving.

She also has experience supervising clinicians and directing clinical programs. Jennifer trained at the University of Northern Iowa, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master of Social Work. She holds LCSW and CSW credentials and brings 20 years of work with individuals, families, and groups.

Therapy draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy along with attachment-focused ideas. She favors treatment plans that are concrete and achievable. Parents often find her emphasis on routines, communication, and realistic goals helpful.

Outside of clinical work she spends time outdoors hiking, paddleboarding, backpacking, and camping. She is also a CrossFit Level 1 Trainer who emphasizes sleep, movement, and nutrition as part of overall wellbeing. Her dog Boomer sometimes appears during telehealth sessions.

How evidence-based approaches translate online

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice unhelpful thoughts and focus on values-driven actions. It is useful for anxiety, stress, and coping with life changes. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) teaches practical skills to change patterns of thinking and behavior, which can reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and mood problems. Attachment-Based Therapy looks at how early relationships affect current interactions and can guide changes in parenting and family communication.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Jennifer collaborates with clients to choose methods that match their goals and comfort level. Together they try techniques, review what helps, and adjust the plan as needed so it fits everyday life and family routines.

Online sessions are offered by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to provide flexibility for busy caregivers. Video and phone let people have focused conversations from home, while chat and text can be useful for brief check-ins, problem solving, or follow-up between longer sessions. These options make it easier to fit therapy into family schedules and keep progress moving forward.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Less about arguing with difficult thoughts, more about loosening their grip and acting on what matters to you anyway. Values and committed action carry the work, which suits conversation at a distance.

Attachment-Based Therapy

Looks at how early bonds shaped what you expect from closeness, and how that plays out now with a partner, a parent, or your own children.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT looks at the link between what you think, how you feel, and what you do. You work on noticing unhelpful patterns and practising steadier responses. It suits online sessions well, because much of the work happens between appointments and can be talked through from anywhere.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does she address?

She helps with stress, anxiety, parenting, anger, self esteem, depression, addictions, relationship and family issues, trauma and abuse, grief, coping with life changes, and ADHD as listed in her specialties.

How would you describe her therapeutic style?

Her approach is practical and solution-oriented, using plain language and concrete steps people can try between sessions.

What is her professional background?

She has 20 years of experience working in residential treatment, foster care programs, juvenile justice settings, prisons, clinical supervision, and as a clinical director.

Which credentials and region are listed?

She holds LCSW and CSW credentials and practices from Iowa.

In what language are sessions offered?

Sessions are offered in English and international clients are not currently accepted.

What session formats are available?

Therapy can be delivered by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.

How does payment and cost work?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

How do I begin working with her?

To get started, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Stress, Anxiety
Parenting issues
Anger management

Therapeutic approaches

Experience: 20 years
Licensed: Utah, Colorado, Iowa, Florida, Texas
Languages: English

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