About Pawprints and Pathways
At Pawprints and Pathways, we are dedicated to helping individuals navigate their emotional journeys.
Our Licensed Clinical Social Worker provides expert guidance with the support of therapy dogs.
We believe in fostering a nurturing environment for healing and growth.
About Us
Meet the team
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Hi there, I'm Jennifer!
Jennifer Ferguson
Licensed Clinical Social Worker in IL
LCSW
I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor, and School Social Worker with nearly 20 years of experience supporting individuals through life’s challenges. I provide compassionate, strengths-based therapy for teens and adults, helping clients manage anxiety, navigate stress, build resilience, and move toward meaningful change.
My approach
My approach is collaborative, compassionate, and tailored to your unique needs. I use a variety of evidence-based methods—including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), and Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT/tapping)—to help you manage stress, understand your emotions, and move toward meaningful goals. I also incorporate creative tools like Sandtray Therapy and play-based techniques when helpful, especially for younger clients. Therapy with me is a supportive space to explore, grow, and develop skills that truly fit your life. My therapy dog, Ozzie Ray, often joins sessions to provide comfort and support.
My focus
I work with all ages who are navigating anxiety, school or work stress, life transitions, substance use, or feeling stuck and unmotivated. Many of my clients are coping with overwhelm, social anxiety, or trauma and are looking for a space where they can feel safe, heard, and supported. Whether you're struggling with daily stress or working through deeper emotional pain, I’ll help you build practical skills, gain confidence, and reconnect with your strengths.
My communication style
I bring a calm, grounded presence to each session and strive to create a space where clients feel safe, respected, and truly listened to. My communication style is warm, down-to-earth, and collaborative—I’ll meet you where you are, offer honest feedback when helpful, and always support you in making decisions that align with your values. I balance compassion with practical tools so you leave each session feeling supported and empowered.
My journey to mental healthcare
My journey into this work began with a deep desire to support people through their hardest moments. I started my career in substance use counseling nearly 20 years ago and quickly saw how mental health, trauma, and life circumstances are deeply connected. Since then, I’ve worked in community mental health, crisis response, schools, and jails—helping people of all ages navigate challenges with compassion and dignity. Becoming a therapist was a natural path for me because I believe in people’s ability to grow, heal, and create change when given the right support.
My goals for you
I work closely with clients to identify what matters most to them and turn those values into clear, achievable goals. We’ll break things down into manageable steps and regularly check in to celebrate progress and adjust as needed. Whether you’re working on reducing anxiety, improving relationships, building coping skills, or finding motivation, I’ll provide the tools, encouragement, and structure to help you move forward with confidence and purpose. Therapy is a journey, and I’m here to walk alongside you with compassion, humor, and practical tools that help you thrive.
My first session with you
Our first session will be an opportunity for us to get to know one another. We’ll discuss your background, what brings you to therapy, and your goals. Therapy is a process, and we’ll continue to build our work together over time. It's completely normal to feel nervous about your first appointment. We’ll take it one step at a time, and I’m here to guide you through each step of the process. We’ll work together to create a plan that fits your needs, and by the end of the session, you’ll have a clearer sense of how we can move forward. My goal is to make you feel supported and to help you achieve what you’re working toward
Specialties
Therapy Types
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Hi there, I'm Ozzie!
Ozzie Ray
xxxx Certified
LCSW
I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor, and School Social Worker with nearly 20 years of experience supporting individuals through life’s challenges. I provide compassionate, strengths-based therapy for teens and adults, helping clients manage anxiety, navigate stress, build resilience, and move toward meaningful change.
My approach
My approach is collaborative, compassionate, and tailored to your unique needs. I use a variety of evidence-based methods—including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), and Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT/tapping)—to help you manage stress, understand your emotions, and move toward meaningful goals. I also incorporate creative tools like Sandtray Therapy and play-based techniques when helpful, especially for younger clients. Therapy with me is a supportive space to explore, grow, and develop skills that truly fit your life. My therapy dog, Ozzie Ray, often joins sessions to provide comfort and support.
My focus
I work with all ages who are navigating anxiety, school or work stress, life transitions, substance use, or feeling stuck and unmotivated. Many of my clients are coping with overwhelm, social anxiety, or trauma and are looking for a space where they can feel safe, heard, and supported. Whether you're struggling with daily stress or working through deeper emotional pain, I’ll help you build practical skills, gain confidence, and reconnect with your strengths.
My communication style
I bring a calm, grounded presence to each session and strive to create a space where clients feel safe, respected, and truly listened to. My communication style is warm, down-to-earth, and collaborative—I’ll meet you where you are, offer honest feedback when helpful, and always support you in making decisions that align with your values. I balance compassion with practical tools so you leave each session feeling supported and empowered.
My journey to mental healthcare
My journey into this work began with a deep desire to support people through their hardest moments. I started my career in substance use counseling nearly 20 years ago and quickly saw how mental health, trauma, and life circumstances are deeply connected. Since then, I’ve worked in community mental health, crisis response, schools, and jails—helping people of all ages navigate challenges with compassion and dignity. Becoming a therapist was a natural path for me because I believe in people’s ability to grow, heal, and create change when given the right support.
My goals for you
I work closely with clients to identify what matters most to them and turn those values into clear, achievable goals. We’ll break things down into manageable steps and regularly check in to celebrate progress and adjust as needed. Whether you’re working on reducing anxiety, improving relationships, building coping skills, or finding motivation, I’ll provide the tools, encouragement, and structure to help you move forward with confidence and purpose. Therapy is a journey, and I’m here to walk alongside you with compassion, humor, and practical tools that help you thrive.
My first session with you
Our first session will be an opportunity for us to get to know one another. We’ll discuss your background, what brings you to therapy, and your goals. Therapy is a process, and we’ll continue to build our work together over time. It's completely normal to feel nervous about your first appointment. We’ll take it one step at a time, and I’m here to guide you through each step of the process. We’ll work together to create a plan that fits your needs, and by the end of the session, you’ll have a clearer sense of how we can move forward. My goal is to make you feel supported and to help you achieve what you’re working toward
Specialties
Therapy Types
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Ozzie Ray
Ozzie is a good boy!
Fill in Ozzie's info and credentials
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Join us at Pawprints and Pathways for a transformative counseling experience, enhanced by the loving presence of our therapy dogs.
Contact us today to begin your journey to healing and growth.
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