Meet Jennifer Rubinstein Murray
Thornton Donovan class of 2000 Alum
I had the pleasure of meeting Jen with her husband Mike and their family last June at Graduation day 2023 and reconnected with her this Fall for the following.
Jennifer is a great professional who has been able to reconcile work and family in an excellent way. Her supportive work and dedication are a great help to many people. Her smile conveys fortitude and at the same time a lot of serenity. Thanks, Jennifer
Barbara: Hi Jennifer, how are you? Nice to see you again, even virtually, and thank you very much for the time you have dedicated to me. Please, tell me a little bit about yourself; your choice of university and why.
Jennifer: Hi Barbara, good thanks. I'm happy to see you and collaborate on another project for TD. In the 10th grade, I transferred to TD from a larger high school in Westchester. My education after TD initially was to Lafayette College where I studied business then found a passion for Psychology. Following that passion, I graduated with a BA in psychology and charted a path to obtain my doctorate in Psychology. First step was to earn a Master's degree in Rehabilitation Counseling Psychology from SUNY Albany. From there, onto Teachers College at Columbia University for a Master's degree in Clinical Psychology. Finally, at Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology at Yeshiva University I earned a Doctorate in clinical psychology and a Master's in School Psychology. Today, I am a licensed clinical psychologist and certified school psychologist with a private practice helping clients with study skills, anxiety, ADHD, life transitions, infertility and parenting.
Barbara: How has TD influenced your choices and training?
Jennifer: The smaller academic environment at TD allowed me to build relationships with my instructors and classmates. This experience directly influenced my decision to continue my education at a smaller college. The unique experience at TD gave me a thirst for learning and exploring different areas simultaneously, which is why I chose a liberal arts program. The liberal arts setting enabled me to study different subjects and eventually find a passion for psychology.
Barbara: At TD you also met your husband…
Jennifer: Yes, at TD I met my husband Mike, and we have built a wonderful family together. Td gives you life long friendships. We still keep in touch with classmates locally and internationally.
I was fortunate to develop personal relationships with TD faculty and the extraordinary people who keep TD running. The scale of TD enables a community to flourish whereas in the larger high school I initially attended I sometimes felt like I was lost in the crowd.
Barbara: What about your work, before and after covid given that you also work with children and teenagers.
Jennifer: Before the global pandemic, I was a clinical school psychologist in a K - 12 public school in Westchester. My role was to help students with cognitive and personal difficulties develop study skills, navigate life's ups and downs, and administer psycho-educational assessments. During the pandemic, like many others, I was motivated to continue working despite restrictions on congregating. Furthering that motivation, I opened a private clinical psychology practice, Westchester Psychological Associates, PLLC. At Westchester Psychological Associates, we have clinicians, myself included, who specialize in helping clients with study skills, anxiety, ADHD, life transitions, infertility, and parenting. Pandemic impacted people globally, and to extend the reach of care we can offer, Westchester Psychological Associates offers Telehealth services to the fullest extent permitted by local regulations. Currently, all individuals in New York state are able to use our services. The flexibility of Telehealth allows clients of all ages to receive therapy when and where it is most convenient.
Barbara: You are a wife and a mother. How do you balance work and home, is it complicated for you?
Jennifer: Running my own business provides me with flexibility. I’m able to schedule work around family appointments and thereby develop a work/life balance. Mike is my partner and we support each other. Family is core to our relationship and we plan our time around our children.
Barbara: Jennifer, thank you very much for your availability and for your precious time. I wish you good work and much happiness with your family. Hope to see you again soon at Thornton Donovan. Have a good day.