Jeanene Wolfe, LCSW

I am a seasoned psychotherapist with over 30 years experience. I work with professionals, entrepreneurs, athletes and performers who find themselves stuck in cycles of anxiety, perfectionism and exhaustion as they journey towards mental wellness and a life of peace and fulfillment. I see individual adults virtually in the states of Virginia and Florida.

Do you feel like anxiety is your constant companion, whispering doubts and fears into your ear? An invisible force that leaves others perplexed about your need for control; unable to understand the limitations around what you can and can’t do?

How many times have you wished for a moment of peace, free from the tight grip of panic and worry? From the perfectionism that no longer serves you?

I help clients:
*Release the tight grip of anxiety
*Stop intrusive thoughts that constantly fill your brain
*Release old fear patterns tied to specific situations, such as negative childhood experiences,
medical or dental anxiety or expectations you could never meet
*Rewire your brain’s response to anxiety, shifting from fear to calm
*Gain confidence in handling stressful situations, reducing avoidance and empowering you to take control of your life
*Feel more at ease in everyday situations, from work meetings to social events, without being held back by constant worry
*Prepare for upcoming medical or dental procedures that have you terrified, or recover from those that happened in the past
*Determine if you are actually doing much better than you’ll allow yourself to think

Therapy is a deeply personal journey, and I’m here to walk alongside you as you work toward greater self-awareness, emotional healing, and personal growth. Our sessions will be a collaborative process, where we set goals together and adjust them as needed based on your progress and evolving needs. I understand that starting therapy can feel intimidating, so I’m here to make it as comfortable as possible. Whether you’re dealing with a specific issue or just feeling stuck, my goal is to help you gain clarity, feel empowered, and move toward the life you want.

Although treatment is tailored to your specific needs, I primarily use Brainspotting with clients so you can finally make the lasting change you need and desire. Brainspotting is a method that taps into your brain’s natural ability to heal itself, helping you overcome barriers more quickly than traditional methods might allow. It is an evidence-based therapeutic approach that allows for deeper processing that not only accelerates healing but also proves to be cost-effective as fewer sessions may be needed.

My Approach to Therapy
I believe therapy should be a space where you feel truly heard and supported. My approach is integrative, meaning I use a combination of therapeutic techniques to best meet your needs. This includes:

*Brainspotting: I offer Brainspotting, a powerful technique that helps access and process deeper emotional blocks, especially in cases of trauma, anxiety, or performance challenges. This method allows us to go beyond talk therapy to target and release the root causes of emotional pain or limiting beliefs.
*Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: This is used mainly as we are getting to know each other and develop your unique treatment plan. It also works to help gain insights and redefine limiting beliefs.
*Mindfulness: I incorporate mindfulness to help clients become more aware of their thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations in the present moment. By developing this awareness, you can gain greater control over how you respond to stress, anxiety, or difficult emotions, rather than being overwhelmed by them. Mindfulness also promotes self-compassion and acceptance, allowing for deeper healing and personal growth throughout the therapeutic process.
*Somatic Techniques: These go hand in hand with the other techniques we will be doing and help you become more aware of your body. We will customize a plan of techniques that you can use any time you need some extra support.

I believe (and research shows) that the heart of change lies within the therapeutic relationship, or attunement, between myself and my clients. It is here, in this shared space, that we can explore your challenges and aspirations, address the parts of your life calling for transformation, and find sustainable ways to foster your well-being.

Our first session together is an opportunity to ensure that we feel mutually compatible to embark on this transformative journey. I encourage you to use this time to express your needs and goals openly, so we can lay the groundwork for effective and personalized therapy.
I look forward to partnering with you as we explore the possibilities of your unique path to wellness.

Getting started is easy! Schedule a 20 minute consultation to discuss beginning our work together and making sure I’m the right fit for your therapy needs.
All sessions are held online using an easy to navigate, secure platform. If you can click a link, you can enter your session without hoops to jump through.

***More about anxiety:
Anxiety often starts with the experiences we internalize early in life. Whether through experiences, what we see from others, or how we’re taught to respond to fear, anxiety takes root and becomes a familiar narrative in our lives. These responses can be about safety, control, or even simple daily interactions, but when they go unaddressed, they can profoundly impact our adult lives, showing up in places like our work, relationships, health, or even trips to the doctor or dentist.

Some people grow up learning healthy ways to cope with fear and uncertainty. They are taught to face challenges with confidence, knowing it’s okay to feel anxious at times but also knowing how to manage those feelings. These early messages lead to a healthier response to stress, enabling a more balanced way of navigating the ups and downs of life. Whether it’s work-related stress or fear of the unknown, these individuals have the tools to manage their emotions without feeling overwhelmed.

For others, the stories about anxiety they grow up with are far more restrictive. They may have been taught, directly or indirectly, that the world is dangerous, that their emotions are out of control, or that fear is something to avoid at all costs. These messages can lead to heightened or chronic anxiety, impacting everything from social interactions to medical appointments. For instance, if you witnessed a parent being fearful at the dentist or experienced a painful procedure yourself, you might carry that anxiety into adulthood.

Some common limiting anxiety stories include:
Fear of the unknown, believing that something bad will happen if you’re not constantly vigilant.
A sense of powerlessness, feeling like you have no control over situations that cause you fear.
Avoidance, believing that staying away from anxiety-inducing situations, like medical or dental visits, will keep you safe.
Embarrassment or shame about feeling anxious, which can make you hide your fear rather than addressing it.

These deeply ingrained beliefs can lead to avoidance behaviors, health issues due to fear of doctors or dentists, and constant underlying stress that takes a toll on your overall well-being.

These anxiety stories don’t stay confined to childhood; they follow us into adulthood and often become part of our daily lives:
Work or social anxiety: You might find it difficult to speak up in meetings, feel overwhelmed in social situations, or constantly worry about being judged.
Health-related anxiety: Fear of medical or dental procedures can cause people to avoid essential check-ups, leading to untreated health issues or escalating concerns.
Generalized anxiety: A constant state of worry that affects your ability to relax, sleep, or focus, making everyday life feel overwhelming.

Brainspotting is particularly helpful for those anxiety patterns that seem unshakable, such as social or generalized anxiety or fear of medical or dental appointments.

***More about perfectionism:
Perfectionism can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, striving for excellence can drive you to achieve your goals and take pride in your work. On the other, the relentless pressure to be perfect can lead to stress, self-doubt, and feelings of inadequacy. While perfectionism may seem like a motivator, it often creates barriers to personal fulfillment, emotional well-being, and healthy relationships.

At its best, perfectionism encourages high standards and a commitment to quality. But when perfectionism becomes excessive, it shifts from being a positive trait to a limiting one. You might find yourself overthinking every decision, doubting your abilities, or fearing failure so intensely that it prevents you from moving forward. This can affect multiple areas of life, including: work and career, personal relationships, mental and emotional health, everyday life.

The pursuit of perfection can leave you feeling stuck, stressed, and unable to fully enjoy your accomplishments.

Through Brainspotting, we can access the deeper areas of the brain where perfectionism’s emotional triggers are held. This allows you to release old patterns and develop a healthier, more compassionate mindset.

By working through the roots of perfectionism, Brainspotting can help you:
Let go of fear and self-doubt: Build confidence in your abilities and decisions without being weighed down by the need to be perfect.
Overcome procrastination: Move past the paralysis that comes with overthinking and take meaningful steps toward your goals.
Foster self-compassion: Shift from constant self-criticism to a kinder, more supportive relationship with yourself.
Embrace a growth mindset: Learn to see mistakes as opportunities for learning rather than failures.
Enjoy life more fully: Reclaim the joy in your accomplishments and the freedom to live authentically without the relentless drive for perfection.