About Jenny

Welcome.

I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Nature Enthusiast, and Spiritual Life Coach, and I am training to become a Trauma-Informed Yoga Teacher. My greatest joy and love is being a mom to two beautiful children.

My professional work is a calling, it comes right from my heart. Even as a small child, I loved helping and spending time with others.  Being with people made my heart happy.

Clinically, I strive for excellence in my work. Over my 23+ years of practice, I have connected with so many unique individuals, with tender hearts and incredible stories of resilience, facing challenges and celebrating triumphs. I enjoy working with all walks of life, but my speciality is healing women and children. As a community-based social worker, I love healing the collective spirit as well.

Jenny headshot

Jennifer Yates, LCSW

Founder of 4RC
Jenny hands on heart

My individual and collective goal is to help care for others in a way that is empowering and transformative so that we all can live our best lives. Four Rivers was created to provide a safe space for others to gain comfort, clarity and insight into the sometimes painful and overwhelming aspects of our hearts and minds.

This site also serves to also provide free courses and mental health resources for all to grow and heal at your own pace, whether that be deep in a green forest, or in a sunny spot at home with a cup of coffee.

So put on your comfiest clothes, find your most comfortable spot to sit in, and let’s explore your heart and mind together. Maybe we will do some gentle stretches, laugh often, meditate a little, dream about your future, and heal a tiny bit of your heart and mind, too. 

Professional Credentials & Specialties

  • 20+ years in social work and counseling
  • Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
  • Certified in Advanced Strategic Family Therapy
  • Certified in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
  • Certified in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
  • Certified Child and Adolescent Trauma Professional (CATP)
  • Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP)
  • Ally: LGBTQI+ Affirming Therapist
  • Ally: Certified BIPOC, Cultural Competency and Racial Trauma
  • Advocate for “green therapy” 
  • Certified to treat emotional eating, chronic dieting, binging and body issues
  • Experienced in providing evidence-based guided meditations
  • In training to become a Trauma-Informed and Hatha Yoga Teacher.
Jenny receiving Martinsville Bulletin readers' choice award

Jenny and 4RC understands the need to trust a clinical and holistic provider’s training and certifications. 

Jenny’s clinical training includes those approved by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), the National Board of Certified Counselors, and other highly accredited programs. 

Holistic (non-counseling) training and certifications are obtained from internationally and nationally accredited programs including, but not limited to, the National Board of Certified Counselors, the International Association of Therapists (IAOT), and the Complementary Medical Association (CMA), among others. 

As a clinician, holistic practitioner, and small business owner, Jenny utilizes her lifelong passion for learning and honing her skills and takes pride in her professional growth. Individual certifications and training may be provided upon request. 

Jenny remains fiercely committed to providing excellent, competent, safe, and ethical clinical and holistic services for our community, so that each community member, representing all walks of life, ages, and stages, can have the opportunity to access services that can help them not only feel supported, but lead a full, peaceful life.

jenny sitting looking up dressed in white with light shining on her face

Education & Professional Experience

  • Proud University of South Carolina “Gamecock”
  • Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice
  • Master’s in Social Work degree
  • Long-time advocate for people with disabilities
  • Experience working with survivors and their children at local women’s shelter
  • Experience working with community through Emergency Services and Outpatient at Community Services Board (CSB)
  • CSB “no-show” rate of only 11%