Hello, I’m Jennifer Bernard, PhD, a licensed clinical psychologist and the 

founder of Still Point Psychotherapy & Wellness. I earned my PhD in

Clinical Psychology with a specialization in Health Psychology, and

I have advanced training in the integration of mental and physical health

across the lifespan.

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With more than 18 years of experience across psychotherapy, teaching,

research, supervision, and clinical leadership, I have supported individuals

navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, chronic pain and illness, caregiver

stress, burnout, and major life transitions. I am especially passionate about

helping people reconnect with meaning, strengthen self-compassion, and

develop practical tools that support lasting change.

 

My clinical approach is evidence-based, trauma-informed, developmental, strength-based, and whole-person oriented. Grounded in principles of behavior and positive psychology, my work emphasizes resilience, values,

meaning, and the cultivation of what supports well-being — while also honoring the realities of distress and healing. I integrate the connection between mind, body, relationships, and environment, helping clients develop emotional flexibility and sustainable coping skills.

 

My therapeutic work draws from a range of well-established approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), EMDR-informed interventions, Somatic Psychotherapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), and positive psychology–based practices. This integrative, individualized style keeps treatment collaborative, responsive, and aligned with each client’s strengths, values, and lived experience.

 

In addition to my clinical work, I have served in leadership and supervisory roles within healthcare systems, training and mentoring other clinicians, and collaborating across disciplines to improve access to high-quality mental health care. This background allows me to offer thoughtful, coordinated care — particularly for clients whose concerns span medical, emotional, and relational domains. I understand the challenge of balancing work, caregiving, identity, and well-being, and it is a privilege to walk alongside clients as they clarify values, build resilience, and move toward lives that feel more grounded and intentional.

 

I am also a Certified 200-Hour Trauma-Informed Vinyasa Yoga Teacher through MyVinyasa Practice, which supports my integrated, body-aware approach to care and informs the mindful, somatic elements of my work when appropriate.

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Education & Training:

• PhD, Clinical Psychology — University of New Mexico

• Predoctoral Internship (Health Psychology / Integrated Care) — University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center Consortium

• BA Psychology & BA Anthropology — Wichita State University

• 200-Hour Trauma-Informed Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training — MyVinyasa Practice (2021)

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Research and Publications:

Dissertation

Bernard, J. B. (2014). Coping strategies mediate the relationship between alexithymia and health (Doctoral dissertation, University of New Mexico).

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Master’s Thesis / Book Chapter

Bernard, J. F., Witherington, D. C., Verney, S. P., & Smith, B. W. (2010). Social relationships as a mediator of the effects of alexithymia on mental health. In F. Columbus (Ed.), Perspectives in clinical psychology. Hauppauge, NY: Nova Science.

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Book Chapters & Peer-Reviewed Publications

Bernard, J. F. (2012). Spirituality, resilience, and positive emotions. In Oxford Handbooks Online. Oxford University Press.

 

Smith, B. W., Christopher, P. J., Bouldin, L. E., Tooley, E. M., Bernard, J. F., & Ortiz, J. A. (2011). Benefit finding predicts improved emotional health following cardiac rehabilitation. Health Psychology.

 

Ortiz, J. A., Christopher, P. J., Bouldin, L. E., Bernard, J. F., & Smith, B. W. (2011). The role of spirituality, coping, and ethnicity in benefit finding for heart patients. In F. Columbus (Ed.), The psychology of faith. Hauppauge, NY: Nova Science.

 

Smith, B. W., Ortiz, J. A., & Bernard, J. F. (2011). Spirituality, positive emotions, and resilience. In L. Miller (Ed.), The Oxford handbook of spirituality and consciousness. New York: Oxford University Press.

 

Smith, B. W., Bernard, J. F., & Ortiz, J. A. (2010). Neuroticism and positive personal characteristics: Test of a two-factor model of their effects on affective health. In F. Columbus (Ed.), The psychology of neuroticism and shame. Hauppauge, NY: Nova Science.

 

Smith, B. W., Dalen, J., Wiggins, K., Christopher, P., Bernard, J., & Shelley, B. M. (2008). Who is willing to use complementary and alternative medicine? Explore, 4, 359–367.

 

Smith, B. W., Dalen, J., Wiggins, K., Tooley, E., Christopher, P., & Bernard, J. (2008). The Brief Resilience Scale: Assessing the ability to bounce back. International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 15, 194–200.

 

Smith, B. W., Dalen, J., Bernard, J. F., & Baumgartner, K. B. (2008). Posttraumatic growth in non-Hispanic White and Hispanic women with cervical cancer. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology, 26, 91–109.

 

Smith, B. W., Shelley, B. M., Dalen, J., Wiggins, K., Tooley, E., & Bernard, J. (2008). A pilot study comparing the effects of mindfulness-based and cognitive behavioral stress reduction. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 14, 251–258.