Dr. Jennifer Towns (MSW ’05) has over 15 years working in the social work field, providing clinical treatment in a variety of settings including hospitals, community mental health departments and private practice. Her clinical work is founded upon a holistic approach and person-centered principles. She practices from a strengths-based perspective, and incorporated in her therapeutic framework are EMDR, mind-body/somatic components, dialectical behavioral components and solution-focused therapy — all primarily to treat complex interpersonal trauma and trauma related to minority stress/status. Towns has been teaching in higher education for 9 years, and is also a member of many workgroups that focus on advancing equality and social justice through education, therapy and political action.
Contact Information
Education
- 2018 PhD Clinical Social WorkWalden University, Minneapolis, MN
- 2005 MSW Interpersonal Practice/HealthUniversity of Michigan, Ann Arbor
- 2003 BA Psychology & Sociology/AnthropologyAlma College, Alma
News
Activities
Publications
Presentations
| Year | Description |
|---|---|
| 2023 | Towns, J. (2023) "Is it Safe to Love You?" Presentation on Neuroception, Trauma and Adult Relationships, Washtenaw Area Council on Children |
| 2020 | Resilience, College-Wide Forum. |
| 2019 | Increasing Competency for Clinical Treatment of LGB Individuals in Northern Michigan. Michigan Rural Health Conference |
| 2018 | Towns, J. (2018) LGB Rural Mental Health Needs, North Country Community Mental Health & Michigan Department of Community Health Annual Conference |
Courses
Current & Future Courses
| Title | Instructor | Term | Course Section | Meeting Start | Meeting End | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interpersonal Practice Interventions in Integrated Health, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse (Children, Youth, Transitional Youth, and Families) | Towns, Jennifer K. | Spring / Summer 2026 | 001 | 09:00 am | 12:00 pm | View Course |
| Social Work Essentials Skills Lab | Towns, Jennifer K. | Fall 2026 | 002 | 06:00 pm | 09:00 pm | View Course |
| Introduction to Social Work Practice | Towns, Jennifer K. | Fall 2026 | 005 | 09:00 am | 05:00 pm | View Course |