Jennifer Pinker York, LMSW, RPT

Jennifer is dedicated to helping children, adolescents, and families express their feelings and experiences through imaginative and creative play. She believes in the power of play as an essential way to communicate when words are difficult. Jennifer provides compassionate, client-centered mental health care in a positive and affirming environment at HopeBound Counseling in Kansas City.

She earned her Master of Social Work from The University of Kansas and has several years of experience in play therapy and early childhood mental health consultation. Jennifer has supported children, teens, adults, and families in Kansas City, Olathe and Overland Park, working in schools, childcare centers, and clinical settings. She has also worked with couples building families through adoption and with refugee families seeking case management and mental health support.

Jennifer is a clinically licensed social worker in Kansas and Missouri and an internationally Registered Play Therapist (RPT) through the Heartland Play Institute. She specializes in client-centered play therapy and integrates approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT), Theraplay, Group Theraplay, Sand Tray Therapy, Mindfulness, and Grief and Loss work. Her approach is person-centered, trauma-informed, and strength-based, meeting each client’s unique needs with creativity and compassion.

Jennifer provides therapy for a wide range of concerns, including:

• Self-regulation & resilience

• Depression & mood disorders

• Autism spectrum disorder

• ADD/ADHD

• Anxiety & PTSD

• Trauma recovery

• Parenting issues & parent coaching

• Grief & loss

• LGBTQ+ support

Outside of her work, Jennifer enjoys spending time with her husband and five children, cheering them on in sports, choir, orchestra, and theater. She is active in her community and church, and finds balance through dance, yoga, running, and meaningful conversations with friends. Inspired by Mary Oliver’s words, “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” Jennifer seeks to live life fully—and to help her clients do the same.