Jen Burns
MA, LPCC
I’m passionate about helping people heal from trauma and reconnect with themselves. Before becoming a therapist, I performed comedy in Chicago and Los Angeles. While that may seem like an unexpected path into therapy, it has shaped the way I understand people in a meaningful way. Comedy taught me to notice the complexity of the human experience—to sit with both the difficult and the joyful, the serious and the absurd. I believe therapy requires that same openness, curiosity, and willingness to meet people wherever they are.
My work is grounded in trauma-informed care, with specialized training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Internal Family Systems (IFS). I’ve experienced firsthand how transformative this work can be, and I’ve had the privilege of witnessing it help others move through PTSD, depression, panic, chronic stress, and painful or overwhelming life experiences.
I also work with people navigating difficult family relationships. I help people recover from narcissistic abuse or emotionally immature people. I am passionate about this work due to my own experiences. I have substantial experience working with women's issues such as body image concerns, life transitions, becoming a parent and mood regulation, perfectionism, and low self-esteem. I’m especially passionate about supporting women who are ready to understand the patterns and coping strategies that may no longer be serving them—and to develop a deeper sense of self-compassion, confidence, and pride in who they are.
Most of all, I want therapy to feel like a place where you can be fully human. You don’t have to have everything figured out before you walk through the door. My hope is that we can create a space where you feel understood, supported, and empowered to make meaningful changes in your life.
Why EMDR?
Healing that doesn't require reliving it.
EMDR helps your brain finally process the memories and moments that still feel stuck. Using guided eye movements, it taps into the same natural process your brain uses to heal during sleep, often bringing relief in a fraction of the time of traditional talk therapy.
If you've ever felt like you understand your pain but still can't shake it, this is the missing piece. Backed by decades of research and trusted worldwide for trauma, anxiety, and more — EMDR doesn't just help you cope. It helps you understand yourself and live more fulfilled and capable in your world.
Why IFS?
Internal Family Systems (IFS) treats the mind as made up of different "parts" — protective parts that manage pain (like the inner critic or the part that stays busy to avoid feeling) and wounded parts that carry old hurt — all organized around a core "Self" that's naturally calm, curious, and compassionate. A few of its key benefits:
It builds self-compassion instead of self-judgment, since even harsh or self-sabotaging patterns are reframed as parts trying to protect you, not flaws to fight. It's gentle with trauma, letting people approach painful memories at a pace their system can tolerate rather than forcing exposure before they're ready. It reduces inner conflict by helping people understand why they feel pulled in different directions (e.g., wanting closeness and fearing it at once) instead of just feeling "broken" or inconsistent. It creates lasting change by addressing the root wound a protective behavior is guarding, rather than just managing the symptom on the surface. And it's accessible outside session, since once someone learns the parts framework, they can use it on their own to notice and dialogue with their reactions in daily life.
Let’s Work Together
2518 Gilbert Ave.Office B Cincinnati, OH 45206Let’s get social
