Jennifer Weaver

LCSW, LCSW-C, RPT-S

Weaver and Associates, PLLC
1495 Chain Bridge Rd., Suite 300
McLean, VA 22101
(703) 598-5559
Jennifer@weaverandassociates.net

Jennifer Weaver is a clinical social worker (licensed in Virginia and Maryland), registered play therapist-supervisor, and graduate school faculty member with over 16 years of experience in psychotherapy and counseling. Along with her therapy and supervision practice, she has been a member of the adjunct faculty at Catholic University of America since 2001, teaching Master’s courses in therapeutic work with children, adolescents, and young adults.

Her psychotherapy practice is designed to support young clients in healthy behaviors, emotional growth, and family and peer relationships. Her specialties include helping children and adolescents with anxiety, depression, and problem behaviors, and strategizing with parents new ways of interacting with and supporting their children.

Private Services Provided

  • Psychotherapy for children, adolescents, and families
  • Psychotherapy for adults with a focus on family issues
  • Parenting strategies
  • School Consultation
  • Evaluations for children, adolescents and families
  • Supervision and consultation for both seasoned and beginning therapists
  • CEU-approved trainings for mental health professionals (see below for sample titles)
  • Workshops and presentations for schools and parent groups

Psychotherapy Treatment Specialties

  • Anxiety, including generalized anxiety, separation anxiety, social anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), fears and phobias
  • Parenting issues of relationship strengthening, communication, and disipline
  • Family issues, including family discord, marital problems, separation and divorce
  • Behavior problems, including oppositional, defiant, explosive, motivational issues and problematic school behaviors
  • Mood disorders such as depression, bipolar disorder, and emotional disregulation including SED
  • Attachment issues and adoption challenges
  • Self-harming behaviors and suicidal ideation
  • Social stressors, social skills deficits, peer relationships, bullying, and play skills
  • ADHD, executive functioning deficits, and learning challenges

Licenses and Memberships

  • Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with the Commonwealth of Virginia
  • Licensed Certified Social Worker–Clinical (LCSW-C) with the State of Maryland
  • Registered Play Therapist (RPT) since 1999, requiring 150 hours post-graduate approved play therapy training and 500 hours direct experience in play therapy treatment provision
  • Member, National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
  • Member, Association for Play Therapy (APT)

Workshops for Parents and Schools

Jennifer regularly provides workshops for groups throughout the area, including The Langley School and Village Green Day Schools. Some past titles are listed below. Specific presentations for parent or school groups may be developed or tailored by request.

  • Bullying 101
  • Making Separations Easier for you and Your Child
  • Social and Emotional Health in Young Children
  • Developing Strong Peer and Sibling Relationships
  • Kindergarten Readiness
  • Discipline with Love and Limits
  • How to use Positive Reinforcement so it Really Works
  • What is Social and Emotional Learning?
  • Anxiety 101
A picture of Jennifer Weaver

Professional Trainings and Past Workshop Titles

Jennifer’s workshops specialize in treatment techniques for child, adolescent, family, and parent challenges. The workshops noted below have been half, one and two-day workshops provided to mental health professionals, most to larger groups of 30 – 60. All past titles have been CEU-approved for Social Workers and most other mental health disciplines. Past presentations have been provided to the International Association for Play Therapy (Baltimore, 2000), The Maryland Association for Play Therapy (2000, 2001, 2002), Catholic University (2004), and the Maryland Governer’s Conference (2002) ,The Prince George’s County Mental Health Authority (2003-2005). Specific presentations for organizations are available, and may be developed or tailored by request.

  • Introduction to Child-Centered Play Therapy
  • Helping Young Children Through Group Play
  • RE: Developing Deep Empathic Listening Skills with Adolescents and their Parents
  • Filial Therapy: Including Parents in Therapy with Children
  • Advanced Techniques; Developing Internal Controls Through Play Therapy
  • Introduction to “Theraplay” and other treatment techniques with preschoolers
  • Playing with Baby: Working with Teen Mothers
  • Attachment Interventions with Teen Parents
  • Practical Approaches to Working with the Parent Who Abuses
  • Child Physical Abuse: Including Parents in your Reporting
  • Infant and Child Psycho-Social Development
  • Building Group Cohesion in the Classroom
  • Developing Mindfulness in Children through Play Therapy
  • Using CBT with Children and Adolescents Priming the Pump
  • Temperamental Flexibility in the Classroom

Graduate School Instruction

Catholic University of America’s MSW Program – the National Catholic School of Social Service

As an Adjunct Faculty member, Jennifer has developed curricula and syllabi and instructed master-level clinical social work students since 2001. Her curriculum includes bio-psycho-social development, clinical theory, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment. She also develops and assigns required scholarship for master’s students who are graduating from the NCSSS program.

Past and current courses:
  • Clinical Social Work with Adolescents and Young Adults (SSS 803)
  • Clinical Social Work with Children (SSS 804)
  • Field Education and Integrative Seminar I and II (SSS 673/674)
  • See course information here.

Education

Master of Social Work (1997)
National Catholic School of Social Service, Washington, DC
Concentration: Children and Adolescents
Bachelor of Science, Psychology (1991
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA

Textbook Publication

  • “Post Traumatic Stress Disorders: Course of Treatment” in Timberlake and Moore-Cutler (2001) Developmental Play Therapy in Clinical Social Work: Boston: Allyn and Bacon.