Meet Jennifer Apley, MSW, LICSW
Jennifer Apley (“Jen” for short) is a down-to-earth mental health therapist who blends her small-town farm girl roots with authentic Midwestern values to create a warm, judgment-free space for healing.
Founder / Therapist
Known by her clients, family and friends as genuine, grounded and compassionate — Someone who truly listens and helps you feel safe, supported, and seen.
What to Expect From a Therapist -
Jen’s Clinical Approach Explained
A Safe, Supportive Relationship
Therapy starts with trust. Jen creates a confidential, judgment-free space—delivered through secure video sessions—where you can be open, feel heard, and build a strong therapeutic connection from wherever you feel most comfortable.
Exploring Challenges Together
You’ll work collaboratively to identify patterns, explore root causes of emotional or relational struggles, and increase self-awareness—all from the convenience of your home or private space.
Learning Tools for Daily Life
Jen will help you develop coping strategies, set meaningful goals, and build skills to manage stress, emotions, and life transitions in a way that fits your lifestyle and routine.
A Personalized, Ongoing Process
Sessions are tailored to your unique needs and typically occur weekly via telehealth. Progress is regularly reviewed, and the pace is adjusted to fit where you’re at.
Growth That Lasts
Through this flexible, accessible approach to care, we aim to improve our client’s mental health, improve and strengthen one’s relationships, and cultivate a deeper sense of confidence, purpose and well-being.
Jen’s Clinical Style
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Therapeutic Approach
Jen’s work is grounded in empathy, collaboration, and respect for each person’s unique experience. She draws from several therapeutic frameworks to support clients in a way that feels personalized, empowering, and meaningful:
Humanistic – Emphasizing personal growth, self-awareness, and the belief that every person has the capacity for change and healing
Relational – Focusing on the importance of relationships, including the therapeutic relationship, as a space for insight and transformation
Person-Centered – Providing a nonjudgmental, supportive environment where you are seen, heard, and accepted as you are
Strengths-Based – Highlighting and building on your existing strengths and inner resources, rather than focusing solely on problems or pathology
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Evidence-Based Frameworks
Jen’s clinical work is grounded in evidence-based psychotherapy frameworks, including:
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Psychodynamic Therapy
Trauma-Informed practices
These approaches guide her in helping clients navigate challenges with insight, flexibility, and compassion.
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Individualized Counseling
Depending on your unique needs and goals, Jen may also incorporate impactful mental health tools and psychological interventions or techniques from:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Brainspotting (BSP)
Now Offering —
Brainspotting (BSP)
What Is Brainspotting?
Brainspotting is a therapeutic approach developed by David Grand, Ph.D. that is used to help clients access and process trauma, emotional distress, difficult memories, and other experiences that may be stored in the brain and body. Brainspotting may be incorporated into therapy for adults experiencing trauma, PTSD, anxiety, grief, emotional overwhelm, and other distressing experiences.
How Brainspotting Works—
Brainspotting uses focused attention, specific eye positions, and the trusting therapeutic relationship to support the processing of difficult experiences at a neurobiological level. Brainspotting practitioners believe that identifying specific eye positions may help access deeper brain processes involved in emotional and physical symptoms.
—Learn more about Brainspotting at: Brainspotting.com and What is Brainspotting?
Brainspotting at Apis Mental Health and Grief Counseling —
Jen is Brainspotting Phase 1 & 2. Continuing on with certification.
—Contact Jen to learn more and to schedule your therapy consultation!
Jen’s Clinical Areas of Interest
in Mental Health
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Grief and Loss
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Trauma
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Depression
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Anxiety
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Relational Stress
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Life Transitions
Educational and Professional Background
Jen is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) in the state of Minnesota. (MN Lic # 17926)
She received her:
Bachelor’s Degree from Winona State University in 2006
Master’s Degree in Clinical Social Work from the University of St. Thomas in 2021
With nearly 17 years of combined experience in medical and hospice social work, Jen brings a deep understanding of the emotional, physical, and psychological challenges individuals and families face during times of illness, loss, and transition. This foundation has shaped her compassionate, client-centered approach to therapy. After many years supporting patients and families in healthcare settings, she pursued further education and transitioned into outpatient mental health therapy to focus more fully on long-term emotional wellness and mental health.
Opening her own practice in 2025, Apis Mental Health & Grief Counseling PLLC, has allowed Jen to create a space where clients feel safe, heard, and empowered to navigate life’s challenges with support and guidance tailored to their unique needs.
Jen’s Community Involvement, Memberships and Outreach—
Jen has been involved with and continues to support a variety of local and regional organizations in Minnesota that align with her mission and values: supporting mental health awareness, reducing suicide and substance misuse, and promoting grief education.
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The Lake City Suicide Prevention Coalition works to improve mental wellness in the local community by promoting resources, awareness, and access to care. As a member, Jennifer Apley helps support initiatives that reflect the needs of the rural community—including the planning of at least one large-scale mental health awareness event each calendar year.
Facebook Link: Lake City Suicide Prevention Coalition
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This Southeast Minnesota coalition brings together members from five counties to prevent youth suicide and substance misuse. Our focus is on building supportive communities, empowering young people, and shifting harmful cultural norms through education and collaboration.
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Wabasha County AWARE is a coalition of mental health providers and residents working to build a stronger, more connected network of community resources. Our goal is to ensure that individuals and families know where to turn when they need help—no matter where they are in their journey.
Website: Wabasha County AWARE
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Aidan’s Light is a nonprofit dedicated to youth suicide prevention and mental health advocacy. Through local and national charitable giving and school partnerships, this organization provides vital resources that empower schools to raise awareness of mental health and protect young lives.
Website: aidans-light.org
Facebook Group: Aidan's Light In Loving Memory of Aidan Hegge
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Mental Health & Suicide Prevention Speaking
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Custom Educational Workshops and Outreach Events
Learn more about Jen’s “why” behind starting Apis Mental Health & Grief Counseling PLLC
Jen’s Personal Interests —
Outside of online therapy sessions, Jen enjoys chasing sunsets, camping, snowmobiling, and spending time with her family. Whether she’s reading a good book, listening to music, or trying a new restaurant, Jen believes in embracing life’s simple joys—just like she encourages her clients to do.