Your Village Journey is a mental health service in the community, for the community. Dr. Jess & Dr. Jenn are 2 local clinical psychologists who are working to take their professional expertise and offer it on a bigger scale. In addition to hosting a supportive virtual community with real-time tips and strategies, they offer individual and couples therapy, consultation to businesses and schools, professional talks and training seminars, and parenting coaching sessions. See a list of their current offerings here and reach out to YVJ directly for other requests/needs! Make sure to follow them on social media to get connected!
Where are you originally from and how long have you been in Fairfield?
Dr. Jess: I am originally from Massachusetts, went to graduate school in New York City, and moved to Darien with my family in 2020.
Dr. Jenn: I grew up in NJ, spent about 15 years in New York City, and moved to Fairfield 8 years ago when I was having my first child
Tell us about your Family!
Dr. Jenn: I have two sweet, funny, energetic boys with tons of personality – Ethan (7) and Joshua (turning 5 on Valentine’s Day!). I have been married to my husband Brian for 14 years.
Dr. Jess: My husband Nick (fun fact, he is from Andover, England!) and I have been married for 12 years and are the proud parents to our two smart, kind and silly girls, Violet (age 5) and Grace (age 2), and 3 rescue kitties.
One thing people would be surprised to know about you?
Dr. Jess: In my NYC days, I danced with IsadoraNOW, a professional modern dance company. I still love to dance today!
Dr. Jenn: In a previous life, I trained in musical theater. I also played jazz saxophone for 8 years.
One thing you wish someone would have told you about motherhood?
Dr. Jenn: You don’t need to have it all figured out – no one does. You don’t have to be perfect or have all the answers. The joy is in the journey and in learning and growing together every day.
Dr. Jess: I remember feeling so scared I would lose myself in motherhood. But in reality, my kids have helped me find and love parts of myself I may not have found otherwise. And, when (not if) you need time just for you, it’s OK and, in fact, encouraged to ask for help and support to take that time.
What’s your favorite thing about raising a family in Fairfield?
Dr. Jess: We love our Darien community and how often we spontaneously see friends around town. My girls enjoy dancing and performing as much as I do, so we are especially appreciative of the people fostering the performing arts at places like Darien Arts Center and Adderley School. We truly are so grateful to live in this wonderful town in Fairfield county.
Dr. Jenn: Fairfield has my heart! The people and the community are amazing. There is so much to do and it is truly a community that loves and supports each other. We are so happy here and I feel so blessed to be raising my family in the FFC!
Best mom hack that makes your life easier?
Dr. Jenn: Read our article (“The Reframe Game” here) – that sums it up for me! (how to get your kids to do what you want by changing what/how you ask them)
Dr. Jess: Shift into humor or play whenever possible. When you are smiling or your kids are laughing, the day just seems to go more smoothly – no matter what gets thrown your way. Also…maintain that family calendar. I would be lost without ours!
Tell us about your business Your Village Journey, and when & why you decided to start up this business?
Dr. Jess: We are so proud of Your Village Journey and how it blends our shared passions for psychology, connecting to community, and using our creativity. Extending our reach and making psychological principles more accessible and translatable to everyday life is a driving mission for our business.
Dr. Jenn: We want to help more people, do more. I love doing 1:1 therapy but so many people can benefit from the power of psychology and we want to take what we do and make it more accessible to everyone. We want to show our community how to leverage psychology to improve their relationships and lives, to nurture their families and promote mental health and wellness. It is so important in the world we live in, and we truly believe that psychology can change lives!
Why is it important to start children young with a therapist and how do you make kids feel comfortable their first time.
Dr. Jenn: Therapy can be really important, especially for a child who is struggling and managing feelings of depression or anxiety. What is even more important, I think, is socializing your kids to authentic connection and communication at a young age. Normalizing that “it is okay to not feel okay” and that you can talk about that – at home, with friends, with a therapist. Being attuned to yourself and being able to share the vulnerable along with the good is such an important skill for building resilience and for life! (see here for some tips on how to do this at home!)
Dr. Jess: Humans begin learning how to relate to ourselves and others from infancy. Therapy can help children (and our inner children!) learn how to identify and express emotions and needs in assertive, creative, and adaptive ways and ultimately foster a secure sense of self. Talking about what they can expect well ahead of the first appointment and normalizing the experience of receiving mental health support can increase comfort when anyone is preparing for their first therapy session.
Tell us about the different services that you offer at Your Village Journey.
Dr. Jenn and Dr. Jess: We are a service in the community, for the community. We will be offering some limited private practice spots, including parent consultation sessions. We are available to give talks and seminars on a wide range of topics – for businesses, schools, and other institutions. See a list of our current offerings here and reach out to us for other requests/needs! We are also working on a children’s book series that will help kids and families learn about different health and wellness related themes.
Best advice for moms who experience the inevitable MOM GUILT handling a career and raising a family?
Dr. Jenn: “Let it go” like Elsa, ladies. You are showing up. You are doing enough, and you are enough. Focus on everything you are doing and managing well and celebrate the small wins and successes. Parenting does not mean perfection.
Dr. Jess: Drop the comparisons and connect to your priorities. We CAN have it all…just probably not simultaneously, so, invite the ebb and flow. Practice being as fully present as you can when you are with your family. I always find that savoring quality time with my kids and husband helps me let go of my own mom guilt.
Who has most influenced you to be the mom that you are today?
Dr. Jess: I’m a lucky woman to be surrounded by a multitude of mothers and I draw inspiration from each of them. I look to my grounded, beautiful and courageous mother and my tenacious and resilient grandmothers who are still extending their wisdom to me well into their 90’s. Shout out to my two sisters, dear friends (looking at you, Dr. Jenn!) and moms in my community who are knee deep in the active phase of parenting alongside me and inspire me daily.
Dr. Jenn: My own mother… she is a role model and an inspiration for me. She raised my brother and I as a single mother for many years while working, putting herself through school, and building a beautiful life for us. She taught me about resilience, balance, priorities, and showed me how to “do it all” – with grace, smiles, love, and laughter (even through the struggles when things were hard). Forever grateful to her and her guidance. Also so fortunate to be surrounded by so many strong, inspiring women in this community.
What advice would you share with a new mom or other moms?
Dr. Jenn: Connect with others. Don’t be afraid to be real, to share your struggles. Find your village and your community – it is the best way to navigate the joys and complexities of parenting in this modern world. Having love and support, people who will be there for you without judging you, who lift you up and make you laugh – is key.
Dr. Jess: I’m just going to say it again and a little louder for the mamas in the back: Connect with your village and the community who lifts you up. Dr. Jenn and I write more about this idea here.
We love supporting local businesses – favorite places in Fairfield/Darien to…
Have Dinner with Family:
Dr. Jess: Molto followed by ice cream at Van Leeuwen’s (can’t forget the dessert!). In the summer, we love to pick up pizza at Papa Joe’s and head to the beach!
Dr. Jenn: Brick Walk Tavern is our favorite place to go and celebrate together (end of the school year, recitals or concerts, etc). And we are weekly regulars at Colony Pizza – our go-to spot post-sports practices or games.
Grab a Drink with Friends:
Dr. Jenn: the list is endless! Sinclair, Old Post Tavern, Sophies, Little Goose… (Jess and I also love grabbing Indian food at Athithi)
Dr. Jess: La Cave or Ten Twenty Post
Have a Date Night:
Dr. Jess: Rowayton’s Seafood is a special place for a date night but we also love to shake things up with a brunch date at Crepes Choupette or The Granola Bar
Dr. Jenn: Geronimo, Bonda, Esh, BWT, Martel (again, so many options!)
Spend time together as a Family:
Dr. Jenn: We love the beach, the farms, and you can often find us throwing the ball around at one of the many baseball fields in town! We also enjoy a good Friday night family dance party in the living room – it’s a great way to shake off the week (literally!)
Dr. Jess: Our girls have leaned in hard to imaginary play so you might find us pretending to be “horsie” or dancing to the Frozen soundtrack because “the show must go on.” We love spending time outside together at Weed Beach and Cherry Lawn Park.
Outside Activities:
Dr. Jess: Moving my body to music brings me joy. I cherish my Saturday morning ballet class at Darien Arts Center and the community of amazing women at The Bar Method.
Dr. Jenn: I play softball on a Holland Hill moms team, which is a blast. I love anything artistic or creative – singing, dancing, writing. In our home we love cooking/baking, travel, sports (playing or watching!) and going to shows and local events
Grab coffee:
Dr. Jenn: anywhere… coffee is life (and Mom fuel!). Candlewood Market, Starbucks, Wake Cup Coffee, Gruel Brittania