Jenni Berkman

Jenni Berkman is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Certified Addictions Counselor (CACIII). She is based at Columbine Behavioral Health in Durango and has been with Axis since 2001. In addition, Jenni has Master’s in Social Work and Master’s in Animal Assisted Social Work.

Jenni specializes in Dual Diagnosis (IDDT) outpatient therapy. She also helps jail inmates with mental health and substance use diagnoses. Her treatment approach mainly consists of CBT, Trauma Focused CBT, Motivational Interviewing, and Polyvagal Theory. Jenni is an animal assisted social worker, and focuses on strategies for self-improvement and change. She also leads Dual Diagnosis group.

“I love including my dogs in my work with patients, and love competing with them outside of work in various activities including obedience, agility and frisbee. We also love hiking, camping, cross country skiing and enjoying all the outdoor activities the Four Corners has to offer.

I grew up in Southern California, went to undergraduate college in Boulder, Colo., then moved to Vail, Colo., after graduation. I ended up becoming a ski bum and lived there and in North Lake Tahoe for a total of 15 years. I finally moved to Durango to settle down and have been here for 19 years, and have no plans to leave this area.

My goal is to help my patients identify their own passions and then have the skills and tools to achieve that passion. I want to help my patients get to a place where they feel the way they want to feel, and can achieve a sense of stability in order to live a life of fulfillment, whatever that may be.”