Marital and Family Therapist

118 Westfield Dr., Knoxville, TN  37919

EDUCATION:

2000.    Ph.D. in Child and Family Studie, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN

2000.    M.S. in Social Work, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN

1993.    M.S. in Child and Family Studies, University of Tennessee

1992.    B.S. in Child and Family Studies, University of Tennessee

LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION:

1996.    Present Licensed Marital and Family Therapist in the State of Tennessee, Health Service Provider #0000000225

PROFESSIONAL TRAINING:

1998-2000.    Social Work Internship, The Wellness Community, Knoxville, TN

1995-1996.    Individual Supervision of juvenile sex offender treatment by Dr. Rusty Winchestor and completion of specialized course for sexual abuse counseling by the Knoxville Institute for Sexual Abuse Treatment Training.

1993-1995.    Marital and Family Therapy Internship including supervision of Family Therapy sessions.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

1993-Present Marital and Family Therapy Practice

• Independent private practice providing psychotherapy services to adults, adolescents and children.
• Individual, marital, family, and group therapy services.
• Group therapy for adult and adolescent victims of child sexual abuse.
• Group therapy for adolescent sex offenders.
• Ongoing supervision and training of volunteer group assistants.
• Co-ordination of services to clients with volunteer helpers who assist in such capacities as tutoring, transportation, and recreational activities.
• Group therapy for women related to issues of recovering fromr childhood abuse, current relational/parenting problems, and improving self-esteem.
• Development of holistic treatment strategies that utilizes community resources and abilities of volunteer and paid staff for client care.
• 1998-Present Facilitator of group therapy for family members of cancer patients at The Wellness Community, Knoxville, TN
• 1998-Present Facilitator of group therapy for cancer patients at The Wellness Community, Knoxville, TN
• 2000-Present Facilitator for Breast Cancer Patient Support Group for The Wellness Community, Oak Ridge, TN
• 2000-Present Facilitator for Bereavement Groups at The Wellness Community, Knoxville, TN
• 1999-2000 Therapist for community psychiatric Mobile Crisis Team providing sucicide and homicide risk assessment, Covenant Behavioral Health, Knoxville, TN

1996-1997  Associate in psychotherapy practice with Dr. Harvey Kaufman, Knoxville, TN

1993-1995  Family Therapist on Adolescent Dual Diagnosis Unit at Peninsula Psychiatric Hospital, Louisville, TN

1994-1998  Instructor, Child and Family Studies, College of Human Ecology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN

1993-1994  Research Associate, Child and Family Studies, College of Human Ecology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN

1991-1993  Counselor and Instructor for CAPS (Child Abuse Prevention Services) at Florence Crittenton Agency, Knoxville, TN

PROFESSIONAL SERVICE:

1995-Present

Expert witness in child abuse and neglect, and domestic violence cases for Court systems in Knoxville, TN, Knox County and Courts in surrounding Counties in the East Tennessee area.

1995-Present

Representation of juvenile offenders regarding treatment plans and progress with probation officers and in court presentations in Knox, Loudon, Hamblen, Blount, Anderson County Courts in Tennessee.

1995-Present

Co-ordination of treatment of adolescent sexual offenders and families with Knox County Juvenile court.

1996-Present

Representation of clients and families regarding treatment progress and recommendations for victims of child abuse and neglect in court cases in Knox and and surrounding counties.

1995-Present

Work with community churches to facillitate volunteer assistance to meet mental health needs of church and community members.

1995-Present

Coordination of services to adolescents through communication with area school personnel at M-team meetings (mult-disciplinary meetings to assess needs and delivery of services to students designated as eligible for special services - especially children who are severely emotionally disturbed).

1994-1995

Worked with Treatment Team of Mountain View Developmental Center, Dandridge, TN regarding client aftercare plans.

1994-1995

Co-Therapist for joint family therapy sessions for juvenile offenders with

at Mountain View Youth Developmental Center, Dandridge, TN

1995-1996

Family therapist for adolescent sexual offenders and their families at Three Springs Treatment Center, Nashville, TN

1993-1995

Representation of Peninsula Hospital Treatment Team for Juvenile Court System for Knoxville and surrounding counties.

UNIVERSITY TEACHING/RESEARCH:

1993-1998

Instructor for Child and Family Studies 420, Family Diversity,  Senior level course which focused the impact of race, culture, ethnicity on family systems.

Instructor for Child and Family Studies 220, Human Development, core course on human development over the life span.

Instructor for Human Ecology 200 as graduate assistant with other faculty, core course for all Human Ecology majors.

1993-1994

Analyzed quantitative and qualitative data for research initiated by Dr.Greer Litton Fox.

Collaborated on published paper by Dr. G.L. Fox reporting results of a study of the effects of a murder in the community on children.

1996-1999

Developed research conclusions regarding the relationship between religious fundmentalism and emotional individuation or fusion in intergenerational and spousal relationships - leading to the dissemination of conclusions that may be useful to counselors and educators.

1991-1992

Thesis completed: Jester, M., (1992)

The prediction of marital quality by parenting satisfaction and parenting stress.

1996-1999

Dissertation Completed: Jester, M. (1999). Religion and leaving home: A study of the relationship between Christian fundamentalism and individuation and fusion in family systems.

PUBLICATIONS:

1995-1996

Fox, G.L., VanBargen, J., & Jester, M. (1996). Murder and the Family.  Journal of Family Relations.

PUBLICATIONS IN PROGRESS:

Jester, M. Religion and leaving home: A study of the relationship between Christian fundamentalism and individuation and fusion in family systems.

Jester, M. Enhancing the availability of services: Strategies for working with volunteer staff for the treatment of adolescent offenders and their families in a private practice therapy setting.

Jester M. Post-traumatic Stress Disorder and Cancer Survivors: A study of the emotional impact of cancer treatment.

PRESENTATIONS:

Jester, M. (1997). Parenting Adolescents. Workshop on Parenting , West Knox Methodist church, Knoxville, TN

Jester, M. (1998). Religion and Leaving Home: Presentation of dissertation research for students and faculty. College of Human Ecology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN

Jester, M. (1998). Assessment of Sucide Risk for Cancer Patients. Presentation to The Wellness Community Staff, Knoxville, TN