Jennifer Cooper Nobo has always been a helper. From childhood, she had a deep desire to use her life to positively impact others. As an adult, that longing took shape and led her down a path to become a therapist.
Together, Nobo and her husband Michael are now living out that desire as co-owners of their own practice Reimagine Mental Health Collective in Brookside. They are passionate about showing people that everyone who wants a space deserves one in therapy.
“Many people come into therapy for the first time and didn't know therapy was a place for them because they were functioning in the way that society looks at functioning,” she said. “There's a therapist for everyone and there's enough room for everyone. No problem is too small, even if it's just moving that needle a little bit and feeling more aligned, more in tune, more present and more regulated.”
Over the last year and a half, Jennifer and Michael have rebranded and renamed their business. They pivoted from solely counseling people with eating disorders to walking clients through all kinds of challenges. The idea that people can change and do have the ability to “reimagine” their lives became the focal point of their business.
“In our logo, we have an origami bird. We really love the imagery of a blank piece of paper becoming an origami bird. It can be folded in so many different ways and create so many different things,” she shared. “I hate the saying ‘You can't teach an old dog new tricks.’ That's not true. People are so adaptable. It doesn't mean it's easy, but change is always possible.”
Jennifer is often asked what it's like to run a business with her husband. Her answer is always the same: "It's amazing." Together, they've built a trusted practice by playing to each other's strengths.
“I actually don't find the therapy work to be heavy, but on the days when I overextend myself or a client has something really heavy happen in their lives, it is nice to be able to come home to someone who understands what it feels like to sit in that with folks."
Jennifer and Michael practice what they preach in life and in business. By taking a leap and refocusing their practice, they have been able to reap a harvest of joy from all types of client transformations.
“Sometimes there's big breakthroughs, but a lot of times that impact is much more subtle and quiet. Getting to sit with and help people navigate really tough things or really tough thoughts– things that they often don't share with other people, I don't think there's actually words to describe how cool it is that people let you do that,” she shared. “I think one of the best ways to grow, especially a healthy private practice, is to be willing to be adaptable instead of trying to stay in a box that you thought was going to be a good fit.”
Practicing gratitude is an everyday conversation at Reimagine, not just in the November season, but as a beneficial rhythm of life. With so much of today’s world saturated in negativity, Jennifer shares the power of pinpointing the good in the midst of the bad.
“A big part of mindfulness is noticing all of it and being present with all of it. We're not dismissing the bad things, but there's almost always good things happening too,” she said. “We're not using toxic positivity and trying to ignore, but being able to create balance and tap into both. If you're tapping into what you are thankful for on a regular day, it does help you lead more of a values-aligned life that helps you make decisions moving forward."
To learn more about Reimagine Mental Health Collective or to book an appointment, visit their website: reimaginementalhealthcollective.com/
Their office is located in Brookside:
616 E 63rd St. Suite 106, Kansas City, Missouri 64110
“I hate the saying ‘You can't teach an old dog new tricks.’ That's not true. People are so adaptable. It doesn't mean it's easy, but change is always possible.”
"Getting to sit with and help people navigate really tough things or really tough thoughts–things that they often don't share with other people. I don't think there are actually words to describe how cool it is that people let you do that."