Jennifer Ruef

Jennifer has spent over 15 years helping children, teens, and families navigate the emotional challenges that come with growing up. As both a parent and a seasoned mental health professional, she understands how difficult it can be when a child is struggling with anxiety, OCD, or eating-related issues—and how important it is for parents to feel supported and empowered along the way. Her professional experience includes work as a School Counselor, a High School Pupil Personnel Worker, and now as a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor. She holds a Master’s Degree in Counseling Education and specializes in treating anxiety, OCD, Body Focused Repetitive Behaviors (such as skin picking and hair pulling), and Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID). Jennifer has received training in several evidence-based treatment models, including Exposure and Response Prevention (ExRP), Inference-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (I-CBT), Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE), and Family-Based Treatment (FBT) for ARFID. This broad foundation allows her to tailor her approach to meet the unique needs of each child and family she works with. In addition to working directly with children and adolescents, Jennifer offers parent-focused sessions that do not require the child to be present in the therapy room. Using the SPACE model, she helps parents support their children through anxiety, OCD, and ARFID-related challenges—especially when a child is hesitant about therapy or when parents want to play a more active role. She also works closely with parents using FBT to help children overcome restrictive eating and develop a healthier relationship with food. Jennifer’s approach is warm, collaborative, and grounded in the belief that meaningful progress is possible when families feel understood, supported, and equipped with the right tools. Jennifer's practice is https://kidwisecounseling.com/