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Jennifer Vanasse
About
Hello and welcome! My name is Jennifer Vanasse. I am a clinical and school psychologist with 20 years of experience working with children, adolescents, and adults. I am licensed in Illinois and credentialed through PSYPACT, which allows me to provide telehealth services across more than 40 participating states. Throughout my career, I have worked in private practice, schools, and residential settings, providing psychological and educational evaluations, therapy, and consultation. Having worked with individuals across the lifespan, I have developed a broader understanding of how experiences in various stages of life shape a person. I find evaluations valuable because they provide an opportunity to step back, look at the bigger picture, and consider the factors that have influenced how a person approaches different aspects of their life.
I am drawn to working with autistic and neurodiverse individuals because I appreciate that everyone experiences and understands the world in their own way. Over the years, I have seen how children and adolescents can struggle with feeling like they do not quite fit in, and how those experiences can continue into adulthood, affecting decisions, relationships, and how they view themselves. I appreciate being part of the process of helping clients make sense of their experiences, recognize what works for them, and identify ways to navigate areas of life that may feel challenging while still recognizing their individual strengths and abilities. I believe it is important to feel comfortable being yourself and to know that you do not have to fit into a certain mold to belong.
During the evaluation process, it can feel vulnerable to share personal details with someone you do not know, and I want you to feel comfortable and validated as you describe your background and interests. I approach each individual with curiosity and an open mind. My intention when completing evaluations is for the report to be useful. Whether or not a diagnosis is part of the picture, I want you to come away with a better understanding of yourself and a meaningful starting point for pursuing your goals. In order to do so, identifying strengths, interests, and capabilities is an essential aspect of the evaluation.
