JEAN RICKS-AYER, LPC
(She/her)
Jean is originally from Los Angeles, CA where she was born, raised, and lived for most of her life—here she learned the beauty of diversity both in nature and nurture. During a brief life layover near Seattle, WA she met her partner, fell in love (with her human and the trees), and learned that fancy job titles and money do not always feel successful nor create happiness. As such, Jean quit her corporate job and career, and said “yes!” to an adventure to her partner’s native home of St. Louis, MO.
After a year of self-reflection, a small (but mighty!) identity crisis, and a lot of exploration of passion and purpose, Jean found her way to professional counseling as a means of purposeful connection to individuals in search of growth and healing. When she’s not sharing time and space with clients, Jean lives in the trees with her partner and five rescue pups. She really loves gardening, spending time in the dirt, and learning from the trees.
Experience and Qualifications:
Jean holds a master’s degree in professional mental health counseling from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. She has completed level 1 and 2 training in Internal Family Systems through the Internal Family Systems Institute, is currently in somatic experiencing training, has completed level 1 and 2 Reiki training, is a certified breathwork facilitator, and will begin neuroaffective touch training in 2024. As well, Jean has completed numerous trainings with regard to trauma, and its impact on our mind, body, and nervous system. Prior to working in private practice, Jean worked in residential, partial-hospitalization, and intensive-outpatient levels of care for individuals with eating disorders and co-occurring challenges including mood disorders, personality disorders, self-harm, and suicide ideation. While she learned a lot here, mostly, she learned that most symptoms are in response to experience(s) and that people are not broken; rather, they are hurt and have found creative ways of moving through the world.