Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Coria- Muñoz.
Hi Jennifer, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I am a proud daughter of Mexican immigrants, raised by parents who came to the United States in search of safety and a better future for our family. Growing up as a minority in a predominantly white, conservative town, I experienced firsthand the cultural barriers, stigma, and silence around mental health—especially within the Hispanic community. I saw how often people struggled in silence because they didn’t feel understood or represented in the systems meant to help them, and that stayed with me.
I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Calvin University, driven by a commitment to support marginalized and underserved communities. I later obtained my Master’s in Clinical Social Work from Michigan State University, where I further focused on serving the Hispanic population.
A population I’m especially passionate about serving is adult children of immigrant parents—first-generation Latinos who often navigate complex cultural expectations, identity struggles, and mental health stigma. Over the past seven years in practice, I’ve seen how critical it is to have care that truly understands these lived experiences. Through my work, I recognized a significant gap in access to culturally competent and clinically sound mental health services for Spanish-speaking communities. That realization led me to found JC Counseling LLC. What began as a vision rooted in service has grown into a developing practice.
Today, I’ve expanded beyond the role of clinician into a business owner and leader, building a team and infrastructure to support that mission. My practice now includes a virtual assistant, a therapy dog who is part of the client experience, a part-time clinician, and I am actively working on bringing on another bilingual clinician to continue expanding access to care.
As my practice has grown, my mission has also evolved. I am focused on creating a space for clinicians who share a passion for serving diverse populations and bring strong clinical experience to their work. I’ve intentionally designed a model that offers fair compensation while maintaining manageable caseloads to prevent burnout and promote a healthier work-life balance. I believe that when clinicians are supported, they are able to show up more fully and provide higher quality care.
And this is only the beginning—my vision is to continue expanding access to culturally competent care, grow a strong and values-driven team, and redefine what sustainable, inclusive mental health services can look like on a larger scale.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. There’s often a misconception that social work is an “easy” field, but the reality is that it can be incredibly demanding—especially emotionally. The transition from learning concepts in the classroom to sitting across from clients and holding space for real trauma is a very different experience. It requires not only clinical skill, but emotional resilience.
Early in my career, I was fortunate to have strong supervisors who both supported and challenged me. They pushed me to grow clinically while also helping me navigate the emotional weight of the work, which made a lasting impact on how I show up as a therapist today.
More recently, a different kind of challenge has emerged—stepping into the role of a business owner. I didn’t go to school to run a business, so opening and growing my practice felt intimidating at times. There’s a steep learning curve when it comes to leadership, operations, and scaling a vision beyond yourself.
What’s helped me most is leaning into support and community. Being part of the SpringGR program was a turning point, as it provided me with the tools, structure, and mentorship needed to grow and expand my business. It helped me shift from just having a vision to actually building something sustainable and impactful.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about JC Counseling LLC?
JC Counseling LLC is a small private mental health practice offering in-person therapy in Grand Rapids, Michigan, as well as virtual services across the state. My work focuses on supporting young women navigating trauma, while also addressing concerns such as anxiety, depression, life transitions, relationship challenges, and cultural identity.
I specialize in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), an evidence-based therapy that helps individuals process and heal from traumatic experiences by targeting how distressing memories are stored in the brain. EMDR allows clients to reprocess those experiences so they feel less overwhelming and no longer interfere with their daily lives. In addition to EMDR, I incorporate Animal-Assisted Therapy with my therapy dog, Sadie. She is a certified Good Canine Citizen, meaning she has been evaluated for her temperament, obedience, and ability to remain calm and well-behaved in different environments. With client consent, Sadie is integrated into sessions—whether that’s sitting alongside clients, offering comfort through her presence, or engaging in light interaction like tricks for treats. Her presence helps create a calming, grounding space for clients.
What sets my practice apart is the intentional combination of specialized and culturally responsive care. In addition to my work in EMDR and bilingual services in English and Spanish, JC Counseling LLC also offers diverse clinical perspectives through our team. Brittany Jones, a Licensed Professional Counselor and part-time clinician at the practice, brings experience working with individuals, families, and couples across a variety of settings. She utilizes an integrative approach, including Person-Centered Therapy, DBT, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Trauma-Focused CBT, and is deeply committed to providing culturally sensitive, empowering care as a Black clinician. Together, the combination of our clinical approaches, cultural backgrounds, and specialties allows us to meet clients with a depth of understanding that is both unique and impactful—something that is still rare in the Grand Rapids area.
Equally important to our work is the operational support that allows us to show up fully for our clients. Our virtual assistant, Eveling, manages the administrative side of the practice, ensuring that scheduling, communication, and day-to-day operations run smoothly. This allows clinicians to focus on what we do best—providing high-quality, present, and effective therapy.
From a brand perspective, what I’m most proud of is that JC Counseling LLC was built with intention—not just to serve clients, but to create a space where people feel seen, understood, and safe enough to do meaningful healing work. That same intention extends to the team I am building and the care we provide.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that you don’t have to have everything figured out to get started. When I began my business, I didn’t have all the answers about what it takes to run a practice—but I trusted myself and leaned into my faith. As a Christian, I believe God has guided my path, while also equipping me to be resilient, resourceful, and capable of figuring things out along the way.
I’ve also learned the value of community and support. Throughout this journey, I’ve been surrounded by incredible practice owners, mentors, and community leaders who have guided and encouraged me every step of the way. Just as important has been the unwavering support from my family and my husband, who have believed in me even in moments of uncertainty. Their support has been a constant source of strength, and I truly would not be where I am today without it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jccounseling.net
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580650820634
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jc-counseling-llc/
