We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jennifer Manning Plassnig a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Jennifer, appreciate you joining us today. Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?

My defining moment which changed the way I conducted therapy as well as changed my personal practices came from a continuing education class I took about 10 years into my career. Social workers are required to take continuing education seminars to maintain one’s professional license. I was always on the lookout for topics that I did not know a lot about or that stretched my thinking and understanding of the world and of people. I found a class concerning the topic of mindfulness which opened my eyes to all that is possible beyond utilizing the standard cognitive behavioral therapy model.

As I absorbed this information, I began teaching and holding guided meditation groups. I wanted to share this amazing skill with others so that they could feel the benefit within their own bodies. It also helped me find a community of like-minded people who I could provide support on their journey. I recorded one of my guided meditations which can be found here: https://soulstalismancrystals.com/collections/meditations/products/heart-wisdom-meditation-knowing-the-authentic-self-digital-download

As a result of this new knowledge, I found it to be a rabbit hole of other alternative and integrative methods of assisting clients into whole being and wellness. Due to my curious nature, I delved into these ideas and methods. This led to my trainings and certifications in Hypnosis, Process Acupressure, EMDR, and Somatic Experiencing. The impact of this mindfulness class still guides my decisions today regarding what new knowledge and techniques would complement and expand what I was originally taught. It also transformed my personal life and practices as I attempt to be mindful of living what I teach. Of course, it is a practice and perfection is not the goal. In fact, the heart of the practice of mindfulness is the times that the practice falls away and through the awareness of this, my attention is brought back to this moment.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

Jennifer Manning Plassnig, LCSW-C, BCD, ACHt, SEP, MSW Capacity builder/Pattern shifter/Empathic Visionary & listener/Resilience cultivator/Energy mender

I have always loved listening to peoples stories. Especially the stories that had emotion and a depth to them that allowed me to connect soul to soul with the person. I have been listening to others stories since I was 2 years old. The stories remembered in my family are of me wandering off from my mom in a store where she would find me talking to women on a bench about thier life. I remember the connections I felt then and knew that the work of the heart was my destiny.

I listen closely to each individual and support his or her unique ability to process thier emotions, body responses, behaviors and thoughts by utilizing the wisdom of their mind, body, and soul. I believe there is an innate wisdom in one’s body and soul. I work to reunite the soul and the body that has experienced a split due to experiences that were not able to be processed at the time when they occurred. This includes this lifetime and potential intergenerational trauma. I guide clients with the belief that our bodies and soul know exactly how to manage threats and keep us alive in a resilient way. When a client understands that what once kept us functioning under difficult circumstances was intelligent but is now over-functioning and needs support to regulate in greater balance, then change is much easier. Integrative approaches support the soul’s journey, the body’s resiliency, and the mind’s unconscious patterns of defense. Healing must take into consideration all these factors so that we can come alive into the present with more capacity and agency to live an embodied conscious and empowered life.

I am particularly interested in the way chronic stress and adverse emotional and physical experiences are held in the body and influence our physical, emotional, spiritual health, and our capacity for connection. I am curious about how the stories we tell ourselves develop beliefs that inform one’s way that they see the world. I enjoy taking a deep dive into the risky terrain of exploring these beliefs and experiences.

While some of my clients have been in the traditional models of therapy for years without change and often seek support for new directions in healing; many others have completed foundational work bringing them to a place of “readiness” for deeper exploration or investigative inquiry into “next steps”. Still, others are seeking a deeper spiritual connection and a hope for relevancy. In partnership with my clients, we create self-reliance, a sense of calm, and a balanced nervous system.

I am a Somatic Experience Practitioner. This is a therapeutic approach that engages the body’s awareness as a powerful tool and intervention in therapy. Somatic approaches are used to engage the relationship between the mind, body, brain, spirit, and behaviors. It uses both psychotherapy and physical therapy for a more holistic healing. In addition to talk therapy, somatic therapy practitioners use mind-body exercise and other physical techniques to help release the fight/flight/freeze/fawn reactions that are caused by traumatic incidents in a person’s life. As a Somatic therapist, I work from the belief that the mind and body are intimately connected, though not always in apparent ways. Using thought, emotion, and sensation in somatic therapy redirects the stuck energy of a trauma and/or emotion in healthier directions. The Somatic Experiencing approach releases traumatic shock which is key to transforming PTSD and wounds of emotional and early developmental attachment trauma.

I take an integrative approach with each person I work with, utilizing different modalities to address one’s soul growth. My areas of interest and expertise include: Somatic Experiencing, Energy healing, spiritual life coaching, teaching, soul retrieval, Guided Meditation, EMDR, and Emotional Freedom Technique. I have 28+ years of experience teaching and sharing with others in these areas.

I have my Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Maryalnd School of Social Work. My Certifications include: Somatic Experience Practitioner, a Certified EMDR therapist and EMDR consultant, a Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist, a Process Acupressure practitioner, a Reiki Master, and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW-C) in the state of Maryland, Virginia, Massachusetts, and Florida.

I have taken a deep dive into additional training which includes the intensive study of Internal Family Systems (Internal Parts work), anatomy, neuroanatomy, Cranial Sacral Therapy, Somatic Experiencing, Polyvagal Theory, Nutrition, Acupuncture theories, Feng Shui, Pre/Perinatal Study, and attachment work with Dynamic Attachment Re-patterning experience (DARe) with Diane Poole Heller, PhD

My approach is grounded in the belief that each person possesses the innate, inner resources that he/she/they can use to heal, grow, thrive, and fully connect with their soul to become the whole person that they are meant to be. My service is the work of the soul. My work and approach are characterized by intuition, compassion, optimism, and collaboration with your soul and body. I incorporate active and compassionate listening, collaborative exploration, and a ready sense of humor.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

As I stepped into my career, I made it a point to meet and talk to everyone who was on my client’s treatment team. This ability and willingness to put myself out there was key to those in the community knowing who I was and how I worked. I would often give free talks at schools for the parents, children, and staff. These talks exposed me to the school staff which appeared to have resulted in them feeling more confident in referring to me.

I also reached out to many other professionals in the community, including physicians, body workers, acupuncturists, occupational therapists, social workers, psychologists, etc. I have really enjoyed working with other professionals and collaborating as a team to provide the best possible treatment to support a balanced integrative outcome for every client I work with.

Having the experience of previously working in various settings such as psychiatric hospitals, schools, treatment foster care, and residential programs, made a positive and well-rounded impact on what I bring to my private practice.

Currently, I have broadened my role as an EMDR consultant, assisting therapists to become EMDR certified and for therapists learning to be consultants for other EMDR practitioners. I am also working towards being a consultant for Somatic Experiencing as well as being a social work clinical supervisor. This next leg of my journey is exciting and has come about due to the early effort I put into my own training and getting to know others in this field.

The most important piece to building my reputation is being authentic and continuing to learn and grow in my skills and knowledge.

Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?

I love this question. There are several words that come to mind right off the bat: curiosity, creativity, tenacity, and authenticity. The definition of Tenacity is to persist, keep firm, and do whatever is required to accomplish a goal. This is my nature. I have learned over the years; however, just because I start something that I believe in, does not mean it will be something that fits in my life and practice until the end. I have been able to pivot in my professional and personal life so much better than I used to when I was a younger therapist. As a result, my practice and the selected advanced trainings that I have been involved in are in more of an alignment with who I am now and what feels right to bring to my clients and the community.

Now, I choose advanced trainings, and consultations with other clinicians and professionals that strike a passion and deeper meaning in me, which truly grow my soul. I have found that when I stick to this tenant, I am most successful and most satisfied. This always translates positively in the therapy room.

These traits have supported me in reaching out to others and getting my mission, experience, and particular style out into the community. Every therapist has a passion, particular training, style, and belief system. I make sure that all who know me are clear about who I am and what I bring to the table in therapy. This authenticity is so important to me and I believe is the most important task for success in the therapy field. This requires that I have my own supports outside of the office. One of my teachers told me early in my career, for every 10 sessions I give I need one for myself. I have tried to live by that. This has included bodywork, Rolfing, acupuncture, PT (when needed), Reiki, Cranial Sacral Therapy, Energy work, and Naturopathic sessions. Who a therapist uses to support their health and balance in their life is so individualized. There are so many choices a therapist could add to this list. For example: art or music therapy, traditional therapy, Somatic experiencing, massage, and so on. What is most important to know about this is you do not have to have anything “wrong” to have these supports.

I also see my work as a collaboration/partnership with the client and their other practitioners or school that may be in their lives. This collaboration creates faster change and a deeper awareness through the client’s journey.

Lastly, having other interests, being open and inquisitive to different ideas, and making myself available to different organizations have all been really important pieces to my success.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.jennifermanningplassnig.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenniferplassnig/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Jennifer-Manning-Plassnig-Lcsw-c-BCD-ACHt/100048446867232/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-manning-plassnig-lcsw-c-bcd-acht-0a641116/

Image Credits
Tammy Thompson Jennifer Manning Plassnig Brooke Reid