Jennifer Dorsey, LMFT
Part-Time Faculty
jdorsey@wi.edu
Pronouns: she/her

BS Marketing - Santa Clara University, 1994
MA Counseling Psychology - The Wright Institute, 2017

Professor Dorsey is a Licensed Marriage Family Therapist who approaches case conceptualization with systems thinking and psychodynamic theory. Professor Dorsey emphasizes somatic awareness and neuroscience psychoeducation as resources to highlight and regulate her client’s physiological responses to stress and trauma and has pursued training in Emotionally Focused Therapy, Internal Family Systems, and as a Certified Shame Therapist.

Professor Dorsey helps clients explore the family systems and societal systems that impact their resources and mental health, explicitly acknowledging the strengths and stressors of communities navigating systems of oppression. She is committed to her own ongoing developmental growth and awareness of intersectionality and privilege. She is passionate about incorporating systems thinking into her roles as community mental health consultant, academic advisor, and supervisor/mentor of emerging therapists.

In her private practice Professor Dorsey works with families, intimate partners, and individuals across the life span (including teens) experiencing anxiety/depression, relationship and family systems issues, gender identity, meaning making, and histories of trauma. Professor Dorsey’s past clinical experience includes working with children and families in school and home settings, emphasizing strengths-based and culturally-minded assessment to address experiences of acculturation, community crisis and traumatic events, grief and loss, neglect and abuse, PTSD, ADHD, depression, and substance abuse. She is trained in Restorative Justice, and implemented school site restorative and trauma-informed practices, as well as interventions addressing vicarious trauma for school staff. She is experienced coordinating therapy with systems of care across foster care, legal advocacy, and wraparound services.

Professor Dorsey emphasizes the role of professional self care with her students and pursues her own sense of balance by hiking solo in the woods and building memories at the dinner table with her family.

Professional Memberships
American Psychological Association
California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT)
Gaylesta | The LGBTQ Psychotherapy Association
International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy (ICEEFT)