Hi, I’m Jennifer.

Throughout my career, I’ve watched families encounter a similar question at very different stages of life: “Something isn’t working. What do we do now?”

A parent may be trying to understand why their autistic or neurodivergent child becomes overwhelmed by something that appears simple. A teenager may understand exactly what they should do but struggle to pause long enough to make the choice they intended.

A young adult may be working toward greater independence while navigating executive functioning, relationships, college, work, or everyday responsibilities.

These are very different experiences, and the support each person needs is different.

What do we need to understand about this person before deciding what needs to change?

That belief became the foundation of The Haven Family Center.

I’m a Board Certified Behavior Analyst with more than 25 years of experience and hold a Master’s degree in Psychology from Florida State University.

I’ve also completed graduate training in Applied Educational Neuroscience and am currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy with a specialty in Adolescents and Children.

I start by trying to understand what makes sense about what’s happening.

I want to know what’s difficult—but I also want to know what the person enjoys, what they’re good at, what matters to them, what the family has already tried, and what would actually make everyday life better.

Sometimes the answer is teaching a new skill. Sometimes it’s helping a parent or caregiver respond differently. Sometimes it’s changing an expectation. Sometimes it’s adjusting a routine or environment. Sometimes it’s creating more meaningful opportunities for choice and independence. And sometimes it’s recognizing that another professional is better suited to address part of the concern.

The goal isn’t simply to change behavior. It’s to understand enough to know what should change.

And sometimes, what needs to change isn’t the person.

One of the things I care about most is protecting the relationship inside caregiving.

A parent should still get to be a parent.
A spouse should still get to be a spouse.
An adult child should still get to be their parent’s son or daughter.

Support shouldn’t become so focused on behavior, routines, appointments, goals, or caregiving responsibilities that we lose sight of the relationship itself.

Sometimes progress looks like greater independence. Sometimes it looks like less conflict. Sometimes it means changing the environment. And sometimes it simply means creating more room for connection.