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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 Work
    Walden University, Minneapolis, MN
  • 2005 MSW Interpersonal Practice/Health
    University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
  • 2003 BA Psychology & Sociology/Anthropology
    Alma College, Alma

Activities

Publications

Towns, J. (2023). Our deepest roots: Navigating past trauma to build healthier queer relationships. Publish Your Purpose Press.
Towns, J. (2020). Insidious trauma, heteronormative steeping, and help-seeking: Exploring the non-heterosexual experience in rural Northern Michigan. Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences, 14, 221-243.

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

Past 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. Winter 2026 001 06:00 pm 09:00 pm View Course
Social Work Essentials Skills Lab Towns, Jennifer K. Fall 2025 002 06:00 pm 09:00 pm View Course
Introduction to Social Work Practice Towns, Jennifer K. Fall 2025 010 09:00 am 05:00 pm View Course
Interpersonal Practice Interventions in Integrated Health, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse (Children, Youth, Transitional Youth, and Families) Towns, Jennifer K. Spring / Summer 2025 001 09:00 am 12:00 pm View Course
Interpersonal Practice Interventions in Integrated Health, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse (Children, Youth, Transitional Youth, and Families) Towns, Jennifer K. Winter 2025 001 06:00 pm 09:00 pm View Course
Introduction to Social Work Practice Towns, Jennifer K. Fall 2024 012 09:00 am 05:00 pm View Course
MasterTrack Skills Lab Towns, Jennifer K. Fall 2024 003 02:00 pm 05:00 pm View Course
Introduction to Social Work Practice Towns, Jennifer K. Fall 2024 005 09:00 am 05:00 pm View Course
Interpersonal Practice Interventions in Integrated Health, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse (Children, Youth, Transitional Youth, and Families) Towns, Jennifer K. Spring / Summer 2024 802 08:00 pm 10:00 pm View Course
Interpersonal Practice Interventions in Integrated Health, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse (Children, Youth, Transitional Youth, and Families) Towns, Jennifer K. Winter 2024 001 06:00 pm 09:00 pm View Course