Dr. Jennifer L. Patterson, LCPC
Psychotherapist · Author · Speaker
PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
Doctoral-level psychotherapist with more than 15 years of practice across outpatient, community, and private settings, and a parallel career as a national and international continuing-education trainer in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Author of the award-winning ACT Workbook for Behavioral Addictions and a forthcoming clinician’s guide on anger and conflict resolution. Experienced clinical director, clinical supervisor, and media contributor specializing in behavioral addictions, hoarding disorder, emotion regulation, and shame-free approaches to compulsive behavior.
LICENSURE
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, State of Illinois · License #180.007754
EDUCATION
Doctoral Degree in Clinical Psychology 2010
Illinois School of Professional Psychology, Chicago, IL — APA-accredited program
Master of Arts, Clinical Psychology 2007
Illinois School of Professional Psychology, Chicago, IL — APA-accredited program
Bachelor of Arts, Psychology 2003
Lewis University, Romeoville, IL — Magna Cum Laude
PUBLICATIONS
Patterson, J. (2025). The ACT workbook for behavioral addictions: A practical guide to understand your triggers, break compulsive patterns, and embrace pain with purpose.
– Gold Award, The Nonfiction Book Awards (2025)
– Category Finalist, Eric Hoffer Book Award (2026)
Patterson, J. (in press, 2027). The ACT workbook for anger, resentment, and conflict resolution: A clinician’s guide.
NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL CONTINUING EDUCATION TRAININGS
ACT for Behavioral Addictions: A Shame-Free Approach for Helping Clients Understand Their Triggers, Break Compulsive Patterns, and Embrace Pain with Purpose
PESI — Continuing Education Seminars · United States 2025 – Present
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: The Many Pathways to Healing Conference — Trauma, Addictions & Related Disorders
Jack Hirose & Associates — Continuing Education Seminars · Canada 2024 – Present
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy 3-Day Master Class: Enhance Psychological Flexibility in Clients with ACT
PESI — Continuing Education Seminars · United States 2018 – Present
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: 2-Day Intensive ACT Training
PESI — Continuing Education Seminars · United States 2015 – Present
ACT Made Easy: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Depression, Anxiety, Trauma, and Personality Disorders
PESI — Continuing Education Seminars · United States 2015 – Present
Best Evidence-Based Techniques for Emotion Regulation
Tatra Corporate and Allied Health Training Services · Australia 2015
Hoarding Disorder: Effective Approaches to Mental Health Assessment, Diagnosis, & Treatment
PESI — Continuing Education Seminars · United States 2014
Emotion Regulation: Evidence-Based Techniques for Difficult Clients
PESI — Continuing Education Seminars · United States 2013
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Techniques: CBT for Everyday Clinical Practice
PESI — Continuing Education Seminars · United States 2011
CONFERENCE & INVITED PRESENTATIONS
Patterson, J. (2026). Healing without shame: An ACT-informed framework for behavioral addictions. Clinician Fest, webinar, United States.
Patterson, J. (2026). Cultivating psychological flexibility in behavioral addictions: An ACT-informed approach. Association for Contextual Behavioral Science World Conference, Lyon, France.
Patterson, J. (2026). ACT for behavioral addictions: Turning avoidance into acceptance and change. Poster presented at the American Psychological Association Convention, Washington, DC.
Patterson, J. (2026). ACT for behavioral addictions: A compassionate, shame-free framework for change. Illinois Psychological Association, Chicago, IL.
Patterson, J. (2026). ACT for behavioral addictions: A shame-free approach. Association for Contextual Behavioral Science, Chicago, IL.
Patterson, J. (2026). ACT for behavioral addictions: Online gaming and social media in adolescents. Allendale Association, Lake Villa, IL.
Patterson, J. (2023). Third wave CBT training. Webinar, South Bay Community Services, Chula Vista, CA.
Patterson, J. (2021). Introduction to ACT for serious mental illness. Webinar, American Psychiatric Association.
Patterson, J. (2016). Introduction and application of brief Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Serenity House, Lombard, IL.
Patterson, J. (2015). Brief Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Northern Illinois Employee Assistance Professionals Association (NIEAPA), Oak Brook, IL.
Patterson, J. (2014). Commitment: The core of health, wellness & productivity. American Psychological Association Work & Wellbeing Conference, Rosemont, IL.
Patterson, J., Oswald, G., & Moran, D. J. (2014). Lights, camera, ACTion. Association for Contextual Behavioral Science World Conference 12, Minneapolis, MN.
Patterson, J., Moran, D. J., & Oswald, G. (2012). Lights, camera, ACTion. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Chicago Spring Institute, Chicago, IL.
Patterson, J. (2012). Introduction to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Illinois Psychological Association Spring Convention, Bloomington, IL.
Patterson, J., Moran, D. J., & Oswald, G. (2011). Lights, camera, ACTion. Oakton Community College, Des Plaines, IL.
Patterson, J. (2011). Compulsive hoarding. Symposium presented at the Mental Health and Hoarding Conference, Joliet, IL.
Patterson, J. (2011). Compulsive hoarding: A pervasive problem. Joliet Police Department, Joliet, IL.
Patterson, J., Ely, L., & Moran, D. J. (2009). Augmenting mandated parenting classes with mindfulness training. Poster presented at the annual convention of the Association for Behavior Analysis, Phoenix, AZ.
MEDIA
Featured Clinical Expert — Hoarding: Buried Alive 2014 – 2015
• Provided on-camera clinical expertise and therapeutic support to participants living with hoarding disorder.
• Developed individualized treatment plans and behavioral strategies translated for a general audience.
CLINICAL EXPERIENCE
Licensed Clinician, Solo Practice Oct 2018 – Present
JPI Psychological Solutions, Lockport, IL
• Provide individual, couples, family, and child psychotherapy for a full-spectrum outpatient caseload, including mood, anxiety, trauma, behavioral addiction, and hoarding presentations.
• Deliver evidence-based treatment drawing on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and mindfulness-based approaches.
• Provide crisis intervention and stabilization for clients in acute distress or major life transition.
• Coordinate care with physicians, psychiatrists, educators, and social workers to maintain continuity of treatment.
• Manage all aspects of an independent practice, including documentation, ethics and compliance, and business operations.
Psychotherapist, Independent Contractor Jul 2016 – Sep 2018
MidAmerican Psychological Institute, Joliet, IL
• Carried an outpatient caseload of individuals, couples, families, and children with a broad range of emotional and behavioral concerns.
• Applied ACT, CBT, and mindfulness-based interventions, with crisis support for clients in acute distress.
• Partnered with referring providers and community agencies to coordinate holistic care.
Clinical Director Feb 2011 – Jul 2016
MidAmerican Psychological Institute, Joliet, IL
• Directed clinical operations and served as clinical supervisor for practicum students.
• Conducted comprehensive psychological assessments and evaluations to inform diagnosis and treatment planning.
• Maintained an active caseload providing psychological testing and psychotherapy to individuals, couples, families, and children.
• Facilitated group therapy addressing anxiety, depression, and relationship difficulties.
Clinical Fellow, Post-Doctoral Residency Jun 2010 – Jan 2011
Family Counseling Agency, Joliet & Homewood, IL
• Served as site supervisor and training director for the agency’s practicum training program.
• Provided individual, couples, family, and child psychotherapy, including diagnosis and treatment planning.
• Led therapy groups for both adult and child populations.
Clinical Intern Aug 2008 – Jun 2010
Family Counseling Agency, Joliet, IL
• Provided individual psychotherapy and case management, plus couples, family, and child treatment.
• Completed diagnostic formulation and treatment planning across a general outpatient caseload.
• Conducted group therapy for adults and children and supervised two practicum students.
Therapist Jun 2007 – Jul 2008
Trinity Services, Elwood, IL
• Provided long-term individual therapy and case management to adults dually diagnosed with mental illness and intellectual disabilities, using DBT, Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (FAP), and ACT.
• Facilitated therapeutic groups and developed curricula covering interpersonal effectiveness, anger management, emotion regulation, medication knowledge, core mindfulness, and daily living skills.
Therapy Extern Aug 2006 – Jun 2007
Trinity Services, Lockport, IL
• Delivered individual and group therapy to dually diagnosed adults using DBT, FAP, and ACT.
• Built group curricula in emotion regulation, core mindfulness, anger management, and daily living skills.
Diagnostic Extern Aug 2005 – Aug 2006
Midwest Counseling, Orland Park, IL
• Conducted diagnostic assessment of children, adolescents, and adults in an outpatient setting.
• Authored psychological reports and delivered feedback of results to clients and families.
PROFESSIONAL LEADERSHIP
Vice-President, Chicago Chapter — Association for Contextual Behavioral Science 2012 – 2013
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
American Psychological Association — Member 2010 – Present
Association for Contextual Behavioral Science — Member 2010 – Present
Illinois Psychological Association — Member 2011 – Present
Psi Chi International Honor Society in Psychology — Inducted 2003