Jennifer Harris is the founder of Chozen Counselors Inc., a mental health advocate, ordained minister, and community leader dedicated to creating spaces where healing conversations are not only welcomed but normalized. Through counseling, faith centered leadership, and her platform Jen Kares LIVE, Jennifer’s work continues to center compassion, honesty, and care as tools for personal and collective growth.
Fancy: Your desire to help others started at a very young age through service, faith, and community. Looking back, how did those early experiences in Philadelphia shape the woman and leader you are today?
Jennifer: I’ve just always felt led to help. I wanted to make life easier for others. I was blessed to have people look out for me, and that left a lasting impression. It really does take a village. I found myself wanting to fill in the gaps where support was needed, especially in ways I once wished I had. Social Work and Psychology felt like a natural fit because they allowed me to connect people with the resources they need while also offering something just as important as a listening ear.
My faith foundation was shaped early on. Christianity was deeply valued in my family. My mom played the piano, so church was a regular part of our lives. It keeps me together. These experiences shaped and continue to shape me into who I am today.
Fancy: You pursued an extensive educational path in sociology, social work, and clinical counseling psychology. How has your formal training influenced the way you approach healing, empowerment, and tough conversations in the community?
Jennifer: We’re all human, and early on I learned that many people need help but don’t always know how to ask for it, or even where to find it. I also recognized the power of simply having someone to talk to with no judgement. I pursued this field because I wanted to better understand people and learn how to support them in meaningful ways.
Everyone has a unique upbringing. Through my own experiences, I became aware of what I wanted to change and what I wanted to preserve and help grow. Those experiences shaped my perspective and taught me patience, both with myself and with others.
Fancy: Chozen Counselors was founded with a mission to normalize conversations around mental health while strengthening individuals and families. What gaps did you see that made you feel called to create this organization?
Jennifer: We grew up on the mentality of “what happens in this house stays in this house.” While I was blessed to be raised in a loving home, I also learned that avoiding hard conversations can be damaging. Had certain things gone unspoken, I’m not sure we would have thrived the way we did.
Over time, I witnessed homes that were falling apart or ignored and swept under the rug. Life shaped my belief in the importance of honest and healthy dialogue. The heart of Chozen Counselors is to inspire, motivate, empower, and strengthen individuals and families. My hope is that when people engage in our services, events, merchandise, and products, they are reminded that they are not alone and empowered to keep going.
Fancy: You wear many hats including therapist, minister, speaker, author, and facilitator. How do you stay grounded and emotionally healthy while supporting so many others through life’s challenges?
Jennifer: I prioritize self care by being intentional about slowing down, even though I know I have the capacity to keep moving. Each day, I assess whether I showed up as my best self. The work of inspiring others is reciprocal. It fuels and renews me.
I also lean on my village for support, recognizing that I wasn’t meant to carry life’s responsibilities alone. Most importantly, I give myself grace, learning from each experience and applying those lessons as I move forward.
Fancy: Jen Kares LIVE has become a space for honest, necessary conversations. What topics do you feel the community is still hesitant to talk about, and why is it important that those conversations continue publicly?
Jennifer: Life comes with the good, the bad, and the uncomfortable. Transparency saves lives. It starts with being honest with ourselves. Oftentimes we avoid talking about failures or mistakes, but sharing your story can inspire someone else.
Mistakes are going to happen. Let’s process them and create a plan of action. Jen Kares pulls out the sofa so you can relax and talk about it. I often ask myself, what am I learning and what am I teaching? When we’re willing to share what we’ve learned, our experiences become lessons that help someone else along their journey.
Fancy: Faith, compassion, and care are central to your work. How do you balance spiritual leadership with clinical expertise when guiding individuals and families through healing?
Jennifer: One of my favorite hymns says, “O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.” That lyric reflects a lesson I learned early on about the power of prayer and the peace that comes from releasing things to God rather than carrying them alone.
I also live by the Serenity Prayer. Accepting what I cannot change, having the courage to change what I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. I’ve learned that support looks different in different moments. Sometimes prayer is needed, and other times simply showing up and listening is enough. By moving intentionally and avoiding overwhelm, I’m able to show up consistently and effectively for others and myself.
Fancy: How do you describe your SwagHer? What makes Jennifer, Jennifer?
Jennifer: My name is Jennifer Harris, and that’s how Jen Kares was born. It reflects who I strive to be, someone who leads with compassion and genuine care for others. While I don’t always get it right, I make a daily effort to ensure people feel seen, valued, and cared for.
About Jennifer
Jennifer Harris is the founder of Chozen Counselors Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization focused on inspiring, motivating, empowering, and strengthening individuals and families. Through speaking engagements, workshops, conferences, literature, merchandise, and the Jen Kares LIVE podcast, she supports communities in navigating life’s challenges while normalizing conversations around mental health.
Connect with Jennifer
Follow her on Instagram at @jen_kares and @chozen_counselors.
