Today we’d like to introduce you to Jenn Braman.
Hi Jenn, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Your Story
In 2016, my office mates and I at Community Mental Health began taking our dream of private practice seriously. We met a few times to develop a plan, and things started falling into place almost immediately — as if we had manifested it.
By December 2016, my business, Jennifer Braman, PLC, became official, and just a few months later, in March 2017, we opened Illuminate Counseling & Wellness — a cozy 400-square-foot space in downtown Newaygo.
Originally, we envisioned Illuminate as a small private practice, but the demand for mental health services in our community quickly exceeded our capacity. Over time, Illuminate evolved into a multi-clinician practice with three leased office suites and a thriving team.
In 2024, I founded Jeni’s House — a counseling boutique designed to make therapy approachable, beautiful, and deeply human — and launched Hearts United, a nonprofit organization rooted in kindness, connection, and community healing. Together, they now operate from a historic 2,400-square-foot Victorian home in downtown Newaygo, offering both clinical and wellness-based services.
This next chapter represents everything I’ve worked toward: blending professional therapy, holistic wellness, and community transformation under one roof — where hearts truly bloom.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Meeting the growing demand for mental health therapy has always been a challenge — and that challenge continues today. There is a national clinician shortage, and in a rural community like ours, without a nearby college or training pathway, recruitment can be especially difficult.
At the same time, my personal philosophy is to never turn anyone away. Research shows that people often struggle for nearly a decade before reaching out for help, and to finally make that call — only to be told there’s no availability — can be devastating. At Jeni’s House and Hearts United, we’re committed to delivering hope at every connection. That sometimes means being creative with resources, expanding in new ways, and blending clinical care with community wellness to reach people where they are.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Jeni’s House, Illuminate Counseling and Hearts United together create a holistic ecosystem of care — blending clinical therapy, wellness practices, and community connection.
At Illuminate Counseling, we provide professional, evidence-based mental health services with a warm, relational approach. Our clinicians specialize in trauma, attachment, anxiety, depression, and relationship healing. Illuminate has become known for its compassion, integrity, and genuine connection to the people we serve — many of whom have walked through our doors after years of struggling to find the right fit.
In 2024, I opened Jeni’s House Counseling Boutique to reimagine what a therapy space can feel like. Located in a historic Victorian home in downtown Newaygo, Jeni’s House offers individual and family therapy alongside a boutique wellness lounge and creative gathering space. It’s designed to feel like home — approachable, nurturing, and beautiful — to reduce the stigma around seeking help and invite people to simply walk in and feel cared for.
Hearts United, our nonprofit branch, extends that vision outward into the community. Through circles, festivals, and wellness experiences, we promote kindness, connection, and collective healing. We believe transformation happens not just in therapy sessions, but in shared spaces where people feel seen, valued, and supported.
What sets us apart is our heart-centered, trauma-informed philosophy and our belief that healing should be accessible, relational, and infused with beauty. We’re most proud that our brand reflects this — soft florals, natural tones, and messages of blooming, kindness, and growth — because it represents our deeper purpose: helping people and communities heal from the inside out.
At every level — clinical, creative, and community — we’re planting seeds of hope. And we want people to know that whether you come for therapy, yoga, a kindness circle, or simply a cup of tea, Jeni’s House is a place where hearts truly bloom.
What were you like growing up?
Wow — looking back, I’ve always been hopeful, optimistic, and able to see the bright side of things. I was that friendly, carefree kid who could get along with just about everyone. I loved going for car rides — which almost always included a stop at an ice cream shop — listening to music, spending time with friends, and finding something fun to do, whether it was playing “school” when I was little or hosting house parties when I was older.
Creativity has always been a big part of who I am. I’ve always loved making things beautiful, dreaming up new ideas, and bringing people together. I’ve naturally been both a leader and a right-hand girl — someone who can take charge when needed, but who also thrives in good teamwork and shared purpose.
That combination — optimism, creativity, connection, and a love of simple joys like a good drive and a sweet treat — has really shaped the way I lead and live today.
Pricing:
- Therapy Services – Insurance Billable
- Wellness Circles – Pay As You Wish
- Retreats – Varies, Scholarships Available
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jenishouse.com & www.kindnessfloats.org
- Instagram: @jenishousebloom
