Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Liz Jenkins.
Hi Dr. Jenkins, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
In 1986, I became a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and started seeing women, men, kids and couples in my private practice and hospital settings. What I discovered at the time was that ‘we’, the profession of psychology and mental health really didn’t have a good framework + track record for helping couples mend, repair, understand and reconnect.
All sorts of theories and strategies were thrown at couples once they entered therapy. Ideas such as using foam bats to gently hit each other for 15 mins or so…saying whatever you felt or picking a topic and then going at each other. Though no one was physically harmed by the foam bats…the relationship was. (Now we know all too well of the damage that words have and the power of mimicking anger/aggression has on increasing the likelihood of that being used again.)
Add into that the practice of insurance companies requiring one person in the couple to be ‘identified’ with a diagnosis. Quickly and permanently, labeling them with a problem or issue. This very often backfired when the couple’s relationship ended in divorce or child custody situations. Imagine being the diagnosed party and how that affected your life and custody of children? Not great.
Seeing these inherent gaps, I pivoted to working individually with my clients. My focus was to help them see themselves. I wanted to help them know how their history was affecting their relationship, to uncover past lessons learned, recognize what they were bringing to the situation as a partner, to gain clarity and understanding of their partner or spouse’s behavior, reactions and real intentions.
My work now really unlocks and unravels the puzzle of why they aren’t enjoying the loving relationship they desire and how we can quickly fix it rather than spending years in therapy.
This process combined with sound research and proven strategies that work makes all the difference in keeping a relationship connected and thriving.
This process works, even if only one person in the relationship or marriage is showing up differently and it directly helps both parties work towards a better future.
More recently, I’ve added in my Certified Life Coaching expertise to bring to my couples and singles the best of both worlds. My Connection Coaching provides an actionable roadmap to repair the relationship.
In a very short period of time, these couples get a deep, objective understanding of the current state of their relationship with individualized guidance, training and support to quickly move forward together. This support includes access to me outside of the actual sessions… it’s very much like having me on speed dial when there’s a question or concern. The beauty of my system is that the couple can start together and move forward, yet the reality is that for many relationships, there is one person who is ‘ready’ now.
My Connection Coaching works with that solo person too! No more waiting, they start as a solo and enjoy the changes that follow.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There’s been a wonderful change in many people’s minds around self-improvement, awareness, demystifying therapy and access to qualified professionals. Both men and women reaching out for assistance with themselves and their relationships. Despite the mindset shift and readiness of people, the limits of therapy and insurance requirements still interfere with what really does work for a couple seeking to improve or save their marriage.
Insurance companies still and do control what a therapist can provide, The number or frequency or even length of sessions. Records requests and even case reviews are still commonplace and so those private moments and conversations between a therapist and their clients can and do end up revealed outside the therapy room.
Rather than staying stuck inside the bounds of this ineffective system, I played to my strengths (a focus I hold for all my clients) and combined the best of both worlds; Marriage and Family Therapy and Connection Coaching. Out of this has blossomed my Couple’s and Women’s coaching programs that tackle and re-connect singles and couples at every stage.
I offer a 6 Week Couple’s Smart Restart Sprint, The Re-ignite 8 Week VIP Program, A Weekend Reconnect Retreat self-directed program and my Ambitious Single Ladies programs to help connect women with themselves and find their true soulmates in this online world.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I’m a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Certified Connection Coach that has embraced the ease of online access to for my client’s needs.
If your curious about what’s your next best step for your relationship, I’d love to chat. Just click on the link:
https://calendly.com/drlizjenkinscoaching/couples-connection-call-with-dr-liz for a complementary relationship rescue session to chat about the solution to your relationship needs!
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I had a great childhood, filled with the typical ups and downs of being the oldest with two younger (annoying) brothers ;). Parents that owned a family business in a modestly sized town that allowed Mom to stay home. Grandparents and cousins nearby…friends that lived next door and across the street…making for easy playtime or nasty fights. Both Mom and Dad were very active and involved with their friend groups and town activities, so we did have the benefit and curse of others ‘interfering or advising’ in our life.
I remember one day, I got a call from my Dad telling me I needed to slow down my driving or I was going to lose the privilege of driving my car. Of course, I was defensive and insulted…embarrassed. I promptly told him I hadn’t been speeding. He replied with accurate detail… the one time that day, I had hit the gas too hard and screeched my tires as I turned onto Main Street! My life was filled with spies… probably helpful, but from a 16-year-old perspective…spies. (I did drive slower after that!)
Having that solid base of parents and extended family played a big part in allowing me to quickly advance in my education…graduating with my MS in Marriage and Family Therapy at age 24 and launching a successful therapy career. Later with the loving support of my husband Mike, I earned my PhD… a personal goal of mine. I understand and value the impact a close and committed marriage can have on each one of us and our children. Having ‘walked the walked’ of marriage and kids, many moves, career shifts and life transitions help me show up for my clients with both the real-life experiences that 35 years of marriage and parenthood brings and my professional expertise… My clients find it a wonderful combo!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.drlizjenkins.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_liz_jenkins/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrLizJenkins
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYI1IqEBugqTGff2biBvKQA
- Other: Reach out to Dr. Liz: https://calendly.com/drlizjenkinscoaching/couples-connection-call-with-dr-liz for a complementary relationship rescue session to chat about the solution to your relationship needs!
Image Credits
Chanze Ashorn Photography https://www.chanzeashornphotography.com
