Jennifer Uhrlass

I believe each individual has the capacity to create lasting positive change. Whether you’ve been struggling with a difficult life transition or experience, self-esteem struggles, messy relationships, the process of dating,  family conflict, anxiety, or depression, the services at Modern MFT aim to provide a safe space to explore and address your concerns.

“Between stimulus and response there is space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.” -Viktor Frankl

I help my clients to gain clarity, heal, and make the necessary shifts to create a lasting sense of well-being. While the best way to assess fit is to attend a session, I encourage you to explore my site to help familiarize yourself with my background and approach. From there, you will have a good sense of how I can help you. 

Background

After graduating from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, I worked in higher education helping young adults to identify and develop their unique strengths as they began exciting careers in the fashion industry.

I very much enjoyed working one on one with individuals facilitating their path toward personal fulfillment, and knew I wanted to pursue further education toward this new focus. While I continue to be inspired by the creative fields including the arts, fashion, design, and technology for their excitement and vitality— I realized early on that I wanted to help people in the context of the quality of their personal relationships—one of the most essential components to our health and happiness as human beings.

Through my varied life and work experience, I began to develop a critical appreciation for the importance of context — each individual’s experience and their perception, the way in which a message is delivered, and how all of these factors contribute to how we interpret communication and function in our relationships.

When I discovered the profession of marriage & family therapy, something just clicked for me. I was particularly drawn to its emphasis on healing relationships and the value placed on understanding discord through a contextual lens.

The rich course discussions and intensive clinical training in the Marriage & Family Therapy MA program at Syracuse University allowed me to further develop a systemic and holistic approach to mental/ emotional health and relational wellness.

While there, I was encouraged to design creative treatment plans for my clients that emphasized viewing their presenting concerns in context as well as the use of innovative methods to help them heal and make the necessary shifts to produce different results.

Since 2014, I have been operating a successful full-time private practice in NYC. My specialties are relationship health and sex therapy. I see both individuals and couples who are facing a variety of struggles. I deeply enjoy helping my clients to feel more confident, overcome challenges, and in general — find more satisfaction and pleasure in life. I see an equal distribution of individuals and couples in my caseload. Services

Some of the concerns I commonly treat in my practice include: health issues/ anxiety, depression, communication difficulties, trust ruptures, navigating dating and relationships, coping with major life transitions such as the transition to parenthood or moving in with a partner.

MFT is a unique approach…

What I love most about Marriage & Family Therapy is its emphasis on healing relationships and the value placed on understanding discord through a contextual lens. I have a keen appreciation of how context – each individual’s lived experience and perception – affects how they communicate and function within their relationships. We are all products of our environments, experiences, perceptions and conscious decisions…

If you are unfamiliar with the field of MFT as a distinct mental health profession, you can check out consumer info here to learn more. I look forward to having the chance to work with you!

I graduated from the Marriage & Family Therapy MA program at Syracuse University, completed a year-long post graduate training program in couple and family therapy from the Ackerman Institute in NYC, received advanced training in Emotionally Focused Therapy (one of the most effective research-based approaches to couples therapy), and was also a member of two professional consultation groups with an emphasis on sex therapy, affection and desire in long-term relationships. I’ve also sought out advanced training in Gottman Method couples therapy and Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT). These models, I’ve found, help clients to create genuine lasting positive changes in their lives.

Prior to starting Modern MFT in 2014, I worked in several hospital and outpatient settings where I received training in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Parent Management Training. At Middlesex Hospital, I provided in-home intensive psychotherapy services aimed at helping couples and families to resolve serious conflicts and repair fractured relationships. These diverse work experiences have allowed me to gain a sophisticated set of clinical skills which enables me to provide the highest quality care to my clients.

After moving back to the NYC area from Connecticut, I was offered a position at Columbia University Medical Center where I worked while pursuing postgraduate training at the Ackerman Institute and the New York Center for Emotionally Focused Therapy. This postgraduate training allowed me the unique opportunity to learn from some of the most dedicated, talented, and knowledgeable clinicians in the field of relationship health.

During this time, I began my private practice in NYC with a focus on helping adults to address problematic relationship patterns as well as anxiety, depression, and self-esteem issues.

All of my training, experience and commitment to lifelong learning contributes to my ability to help you uncover your unique path towards increased fulfillment and connection. In our work together, I will be mindful of your needs, considerate of your unique challenges, and unceasingly supportive of your goals.

I value authenticity, courage and curiosity – in myself and in my clients. Through a professional relationship based on mutual trust and respect, we’ll empower you to move forward with more joy, confidence, and resilience.