Meet Kate Jennings | Licensed Professional Counselor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kate Jennings and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kate, what’s the most important thing you’ve done for your children?
The most important thing I’ve done as a parent is working to help my two children know that it’s okay to not be okay. We talk about our feelings daily- what makes us feel sad, angry, worried, all of it. I help them to know that I am a safe place for them to turn to if they need anything at all. I think in today’s world there are so many pressures to do better, be better, work harder, work longer- our kids need to be raised to know that they are enough. They do enough. They work enough. Our kids ought to be raised to know they can do anything, but not everything.

What should our readers know about your business?
My name is Kate Jennings, and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor. I am a child & teen therapist, and I am honored to walk alongside your children in their journey to improved mental health. I’m also here to help support you on this roller coaster ride of parenting.
I attended the University of Texas at Austin where I earned my undergraduate degree in psychology with a minor in education. After jumping in the fountain and leaving the burnt orange tower behind, I moved back to my hometown of Fort Worth where I re-branded myself as a Longhorned Frog and went to graduate school at TCU for my Masters of Education in Counseling.

The day after I graduated from grad school I was hired at Cook Children’s where I spent the next eleven years gaining the bulk of my therapy experience. Most recently I had the pleasure of being the first clinical therapist to serve the Gastroenterology Clinic where I focused on the brain/gut relationship, and I helped patients learn about how their mental health and physical health are intertwined. It was in this role that I became passionate about helping children who have been diagnosed with chronic illnesses. My focus in GI was primarily on patients with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, collectively known as Inflammatory Bowel Disease or “IBD,” but I have experience in helping children with other things such as chronic abdominal pain, Celiac disease, and anxious tummies.

I am the momma of a threenager, “Junebug,” and the happiest baby on the block, Wyatt Bee… and therein lies the name of my practice and social media blog, The Bug and Bee. Follow me on Instagram, @thebugandbee !

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
My DREAM itinerary in Fort Worth? So much to share- We would start with breakfast at Esperanza’s on Park Hill- their migas are delicious, and you can snag a Joe T’s marg without the wait.
Then we would pick up Summer Moon coffee and head to the Trinity River Duck Pond to hang out until lunch at Press Cafe. (Can you tell I love food and drinks??) The afternoon would be spent at Eagle Mountain Lake, complete with dinner at Bonnell’s! Late night drinks at Reata’s Rooftop.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My shoutout goes to the children I have worked with who have been diagnosed with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, collectively known as “Inflammatory Bowel Disease” or IBD. They are resilient, and they turn tragedy into triumph as they cope daily with invisible illnesses that can affect not only their bodies, but their spirits, as well.

In 2017 I helped start a fundraiser for patients with IBD called Craft, benefiting The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation’s North Texas/Oklahoma chapter. Area bartenders come together annually to compete for the title of “Best Craft Cocktail in Cowtown.” The craft cocktails are sampled by local celebrity judges and patrons. Money raised through an elite silent and live auction goes to fund research, education, support groups, and Camp Oasis. Camp Oasis is our residential week-long summer camp exclusively for kids with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Join us on September 18th at Smokestack 1948! Tickets and more info are available at bit.ly/Craft2021

Website: www.thebugandbee.com

Instagram: @thebugandbee

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-jennings-7b2210122/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/thebugandbeefw

Image Credits
Canon Sawyer Photography Nikki Caviness Photography