Jeffrey Fulmer, VA LCSW 0904008669

Counseling those who are hurting and in need of compassion and empathy has become my life’s work. Early on in my training and education as a social worker, the virtue that stood out as the pillar of good social work, is to become a good listener. As in real estate where the three most outstanding priorities are said to be location, location, location, so it is with being an exceptional social worker - listen, listen, listen. I believe God has given me the gift of being a great listener.

The battle I fought to establish stability in my life, prior to entering into my career, has helped mold me into a professional counselor, equipped to help people from all walks of life, find greater acceptance, peace, and direction in their lives. This meant that I needed to overcome substance abuse issues that had literally brought me to my knees. But what had become in many ways a decade-long nightmare, has now served to provide insight and empathy for those in need of help from the often devastating effects due to chemical dependency. I now teach an online Chemical Dependency class for a prominent, nationally recognized university.

My counseling style is strengths-based, includes strong affirmation and recognition of ongoing progress, and features unconditional positive regard for anyone who walks into my “virtual waiting room”. I utilize cognitive behavioral therapy techniques, with a client-centered approach.

With well over twenty years of experience in the field of social work, my most recent fifteen years have been spent providing Clinical counseling for mental health and substance abuse issues. For ten of those years I served as a counselor for college students, and more recently with adults 18 and over. I have also been the director of an adoption agency, and a supervisor for foster care services. The foundation for my career as both a social worker and counselor was built upon my early work in a home for emotionally disturbed children who had been either abused, neglected, or abandoned. This was followed by years of inner city work with the families of those children, helping them to transition as they returned home.

Some of the individuals for whom I provide counseling include those with depression, anxiety, a history of trauma, grief and loss, and relationship issues. My work has included many individuals with serious mental illness. I help those who are looking for a more fulfilling and meaningful life, greater hope, and who desire healing from emotional scars.

I am a family man who enjoys being married to my beautiful wife of 28 years. We have raised three children whom we love very much. I look forward to the opportunity to help you navigate the rough waters that have brought you to the doorstep of BetterHelp.