Ginger HowardMental Health Counselor - Limited Permit

Ginger Howard, Mental Health Counselor - Limited Permit, P111669 is practicing under the supervision of Jessica Knapp (New York, LCSW, 88000) at Resilience Lab.

Please, note: A clinician listed as being “clinically supervised” is completing clinical hours toward their licensure. They have one or more fully licensed clinical supervisors that often have special training to become supervisors. They consult with their supervisor(s) on all of their cases, which means that, when working with them, you are getting the time and expertise of multiple therapists in your treatment.

Before starting my mental health career, I volunteered for years as a responder for domestic violence and sexual assault survivors. During that time, I became a strong proponent of victims’ rights and rehabilitation. I’m also a passionate supporter of movements to end gender-based violence, mass incarceration, and systemic injustice. There’s a huge stigma around sexual violence. Many people just don’t want to talk about it. I was drawn to this work so I could bring a voice to the voiceless. I want to use my privilege to empower those who’ve had their power stripped away from them. It enrages me that abuse happens so frequently—and that it’s so difficult to find justice and healing afterward. I do whatever I can to tip the scales back in the right direction. While trauma is a central focus of mine, I’m passionate about helping people experiencing a wide range of issues, including anxiety, depression, and low self esteem. Some clients come to therapy looking for something more practical—like changing old habits or building better communication skills. Others want to explore their innermost thoughts, make sense of their feelings, or process past experiences. Whatever it is, I’m here to help! Becoming a therapist was my smartest career decision and the best way to feed my soul.

Whether it’s because of hardship, heartbreak, or a lack of support, many people struggle to feel at ease. My mission is to help clients feel comfortable and in control of their bodies, relationships, and environment so they can live out their dreams. I have extensive experience working with survivors of trauma accumulated from childhood, intimate partner violence, sex work and sex trafficking, incarceration, and the justice system. Through these experiences, I’ve learned to operate from a place of non-judgment, unconditional compassion, and even humor. I recognize that traditional treatment modalities don’t necessarily work for everyone and use unconventional methods that catalyze healing. I’m not one to silently nod along and agree with everything you say. I’m an active participant in your therapeutic process. When you work with me, our dialogue will flow like a conversation. We can discuss whatever is on your mind, but I’ll be curious about how your body experiences the world, the emotions you want to feel more and less of, and the sound of your self-talk and inner thoughts. If you’re open to it, I’ll occasionally assign homework for you to practice what we discuss during our sessions.

I’m warm, trustworthy, and consistent. These traits are crucial in working with people processing negative experiences, healing from trauma, or struggling to feel safe with others. I have a powerful gift of finding the good in everyone, no matter who they are, what they’ve done, or what’s happened to them. Everyone deserves time and effort with the utmost respect for their boundaries. I also use humor and praise when appropriate because therapy is hard work! I take any opportunity I can to offer some relief.

I started my journey at the Empowerment Collaborative of Long Island/Victims Information Bureau of Suffolk (ECLI-VIBES)—a trauma-focused non-profit organization. After a year, they promoted me into a full-time anti-trafficking victim advocate counselor. In 2022, I was promoted again to an anti-trafficking service coordinator as I maintained my counseling caseload. Throughout my time at ECLI-VIBES, I provided trauma-informed counseling to survivors of human trafficking, domestic violence, sexual violence, gang and community violence, poverty, and incarceration. I’m now a proud member of the Resilience Lab mental health collective. Resilience Lab is the largest community of clinicians working collaboratively to produce better outcomes and improve mental health access. In other words, we want to make sure you can work with some of the industry’s best therapists as you move through your healing journey.