My name is Jodi Turpening and I am blessed to work in such an amazing community.  I am originally from Toledo, Ohio and moved to Cincinnati after graduating from the University of Dayton.  I attended Xavier University and earned a Masters in Counseling.  After graduation, I continued to work in the non-profit sector.  As a community mental health counselor, I received great experience working with children and families in a variety of environments.  My passion quickly became working with children who experienced traumatic events in their short life.  I also specialized in working with mothers, who experienced postpartum depression.  This work helped me to see the presence of God in so many.  In 2014 I felt a strong desire to work for the Catholic Church, but was unsure what that looked like for me.  God placed IHM in my direction and I have been blessed ever since. 

At IHM, I participate in a variety of different roles.  Of course, my passion is working with the students of IHM to ensure that they feel safe, comfortable and successful here at school.  As a counselor at IHM I work with students individually, in small group and also in the classroom.  Individually, I work with students when requested by a teacher, family member, or by the individual student.  Topics such as anxiety, depression, managing symptoms of ADHD, grief and coping strategies are addressed in individual sessions.  Groups are designed to work with multiple students who may struggle with similar concerns.  In the classroom, I present social emotional lessons to assist children in growing and developing in a healthy manner. 

Some other roles that I take on here at IHM as a counselor include assisting teachers and families when discipline concerns arise, helping to organize faith formation activities for the community, leading the Student Service Department, keeping IHM up to date on safety protocols, and scheduling annual programs for students surrounding Child Abuse Prevention, becoming an up stander when witnessing negative peer encounters and recognizing mental health concerns in one another. 

I strive to be a support to all students, families, teachers and staff.  I welcome parents to reach out to me if they have concerns for their student or others students here at IHM.  I also am regularly looking for resources and programs that would benefit children and families of IHM.  Thank you for placing your trust in the staff of IHM and thank you for allowing me to work in this wonderful community.