Dr. Jen Wehan

About Dr. Jen Wehan

Hello! I am Dr. Jen Wehan, a psychologist at the APACenter. I earned my doctorate degree from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh and completed an internship at The Children’s Center in Salt Lake City. I specialized in the assessment and treatment of preschool age children and their families. After my time in Utah, I finished my post-doctoral training at the Austin Child Guidance Center where I worked with children, adolescents, and families. My experience thus far has affirmed my passion for supporting youth and their families in overcoming challenges that may be interfering with their quality of life.

My clinical training has focused on evidence-based therapies to treat a range of mood, behavioral, and attachment problems. Specifically, my interests include working with individuals who struggle with relational issues, attachment difficulties, behavioral and emotional challenges, childhood trauma, and parent education and support. During my internship, I also received specialized training in the assessment of individuals with autism spectrum disorder.

At the APACenter, I provide comprehensive psychological therapy and assessment for children, adolescents, and families, each uniquely utilized to treat your child’s particular needs. I recognize that assessment and treatment are not one-size-fits-all approaches. Therefore, I use a variety of clinical techniques and models and adapt each appropriately to meet the unique needs and strengths of every client.

Therapy Approach

While I use a variety of therapeutic techniques, my primary approach involves cognitive-behavioral techniques with a strengths-based approach. I am trained in providing Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP), and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy (TF-CBT). Another therapeutic technique I utilize is Attachment-Based Family Therapy (AB-FT) when working with depressed teens and their caregivers.

Children and adolescents are best poised to thrive and succeed in life when they have consistently positive encounters with supportive, caring adults and mentors. With this in mind, I strive to strengthen the parent-child relationship and to make my therapeutic encounters with youth as positive and meaningful as possible, as I believe that the relationship between the clinician and the client is the foundation upon which all other work is built. I invest heavily in establishing and maintaining rapport in the therapeutic setting, and providing a positive and supportive approach to helping children, adolescents, and families. When working with young children in particular, I often work closely with the parents so they have a clear understanding of their child’s progress and goals, as well as the skills necessary to best support their child at home.

I entered this field to make positive differences in the lives of others, and I am committed to helping my clients achieve improvements in their quality of life, to strengthen relationships, and to equip individuals with the tools they need to effectively manage their emotions, behaviors, and relationships. I believe that every individual has an innate capacity for positive growth and development and that my job as a clinician is to help people develop themselves to their fullest potential.

Areas of Therapy/Consultation Specialization:

• Struggles with mood, including anxiety, depression, and stress
• Relationship difficulties
• Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Parent Consultation/Coaching (including Parent-Child Interaction Therapy)
• Trauma/Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Assessment Statement

I approach the assessment process with a comprehensive, collaborative mindset, as I have seen the benefits of involving parents and other professionals in the problem-solving process. I work with parents first to obtain information regarding developmental history and functioning in multiple settings (home, school, community), and also work closely with other professionals in order to gain an in-depth understanding of the presenting concerns. This allows me to obtain the information required to answer your questions and address any concerns. I find joy in the assessment process as it provides essential information about specific areas of functioning that can be used to develop treatment plans, provide access to supportive services, and promote an environment for optional learning and social/emotional development.

Assessment Specializations

Degrees / Certifications / Licenses