Empowering Mental Health Care For Children And Marginalized Communities – Interview With Jennifer Russell Baker
Updated: Jul 1, 2024
Jennifer Russell Baker is a Licensed Professional Counselor specializing in children, teens, and diverse populations. After sixteen years working in socio-economically disadvantaged schools, she saw the need for more accessible mental health options for children and marginalized communities. Driven by a mission to empower all communities, Russell Baker offers accessible mental health care through Untold Story Counseling Services, her online practice. She empowers clients to overcome trauma, anxiety, depression, and identity challenges. Combining expertise in trauma and anxiety with research-based interventions, she creates a safe space for clients to build coping skills and achieve their mental wellness goals.
Jennifer Russell Baker, Licensed Professional Counselor
Introduce yourself! Please tell us about you and your life, so we can get to know you better.
I am an educator as well as a therapist. I have a husband and two wonderful daughters. I was raised in a military family which allowed me to travel and meet diverse people. I am passionate about helping others and advocating for children and marginalized populations. I have spent the last sixteen years working with children in the education system and as a counselor.
What inspired you to start Untold Story Counseling Services, and how did you choose this name?
One inspiration for starting Untold Story Counseling Services was the lack of representation when it comes to therapists of color. I often attend professional training and organization meetings where I am the only black woman. As a therapist, I have worked with all populations but I also understand that it is important to be able to find a therapist that you identify with and you feel identifies with you.
Another inspiration for starting my own business was my mental health journey, I feel I can relate to my clients on a personal level. Having been diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder as a teenager, going through traumatic grief with the murder of my brother, and coping with infertility allows me to approach clients with compassion and without judgment. Mental health struggles are not confined to certain people or situations. No one is immune to the stressors of life.
I chose the name Untold Story Counseling Services from a quote by Maya Angelou, “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside of you.” Many people who have difficulty dealing with their mental health problems feel ashamed and alone. They suffer in silence because they are afraid of being judged or have a belief that no one will understand what they are going through. There is power in simply speaking your truth and being heard. It is the first step in healing.
Can you describe the range of services you offer and the primary issues you address in your practice?
I offer individual and group counseling, consultation, and professional workshops. I specialize in trauma and anxiety but I work with a multitude of mental health issues including depression, suicidality, self-harm, self-esteem, and grief. These are not all of the issues I address in my practice but they are the most common.
What is your approach to counseling and therapy, and what methodologies do you primarily use?
My approach to therapy is holistic. The mind-body connection is important to healing. I use research and evidence-based theories and techniques. Based on the presenting problem, I will choose the most effective techniques. I primarily use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness, polyvagal theory, and trauma-informed therapies. The focus of my approach is to bring the mind and body into alignment through the regulation of the nervous system by addressing the root cause of mental health issues and teaching coping skills. I also emphasize the importance of self-care, sleep, and movement in the treatment of mental health problems. Our minds are a part of our body and cannot be treated in isolation.
Can you share a success story or a particularly impactful moment from your work at Untold Story
Counseling Services?
One of my goals as a therapist is to remove barriers to therapy. Through owning my own business, I have been able to provide a sliding scale for my clients. I have been able to provide services for several clients who would not have been able to afford therapy otherwise. Mental health care is so important and should not be unavailable to anyone due to cost.
What are your future goals for Untold Story Counseling Services, and how do you plan to expand or enhance your services?
My future goals for Untold Story Counseling Services are to expand to having both an online and brick-and-mortar practice. As advantageous as online therapy can be it does have some drawbacks. Some mental health issues are more effectively addressed in person.
I am a huge proponent of public education on mental health. In the future, I would like to offer more community workshops that are free to the public. Normalizing mental health and advocating for accessibility through open forums and community partnerships is my ultimate goal.
Tell us about a pivotal moment in your life that brought you to where you are today.
There is no one particular moment that has brought me to where I am today but a collection of moments. As a teacher, I primarily worked in Title 1 schools with students who were from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds. Many of my students had difficult home lives and problems outside of school that affected their academic achievement. Schools were not equipped to address these problems and they often led to mental health issues for students. As a teacher, I often felt helpless to provide support for these students. My interaction with these students inspired me to go to graduate school to become a counselor. During my graduate internships, I worked with children and families involved with child protective services. This further cemented my desire to provide counseling services to those most in need and yet most underserved.
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