Jen Gerlach

Jen Gerlach is an associate professor in counselor education at Longwood University where she trains master’s level students to become counselors in school and mental health settings. She was previously an assistant professor in counselor education at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi from 2017-2022. Prior to entering academia, Jen was a high school counselor in Chesterfield. She joined Full Circle from 2011-2017 as a group leader for the Hands on Healing (HOH) youth groups where she worked with grieving children from ages 3-17. After her adventure in Texas, Jen reconnected with Full Circle in 2022 and began leading adult groups for overdose loss and suicide loss in addition to the HOH groups. She sees individual clients on a part-time basis and is working on her licensed professional counseling residency under the supervision of Betsy Kelly.

Jen takes a holistic, strengths-based approach to her work and draws upon several modalities which she tailors to each client’s unique needs. She believes collaboration, compassion, and cultural sensitivity are essential to meeting clients where they are on their grief journey. Jen provides a safe, nonjudgmental environment for clients to explore the full range of their emotions, draw upon their inherent strengths, and set goals to aid in their healing as they navigate life without their loved ones.

Jen earned her doctoral and master’s degrees from Virginia Commonwealth University and completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. She has been a nationally certified counselor since 2011. In her spare time, Jen enjoys college sports, cooking, and traveling with her husband. She is close with her family and loves that her nieces, nephews, and zoo of pets bring her constant joy and beautiful messes.

Education
Ph.D., Counselor Education and Supervision, Virginia Commonwealth University

M.Ed., Counselor Education, Virginia Commonwealth University

B.A., Psychology, The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

Training
Nationally Certified Counselor (2011-present)

Connect Suicide Postvention Certified