Jillyn Kaufman
Serving couples in-person in Davenport, Iowa
Licensed Clinical/Independent Social Worker
Iowa #Iowa 007861
Illinois 149.014677
Wisconsin 12172-123
Clinically Speaking
At the heart of my work is this simple truth: people need space to feel safe, seen, and supported. Whether you’re walking into therapy full of hope, heavy with heartbreak, or somewhere in between—I want you to know that this is your space to show up as your full, authentic self.
I’ve been a social worker for over a decade, working with individuals, couples, and families across the lifespan—from adolescents to elders. Whether I’m helping a couple recover from emotional disconnection or supporting partners in rediscovering the “why” behind their relationship, I approach this work with deep respect and a calm, steady hand.
I draw from evidence-based models while staying attuned to the individual dynamics in the room. I believe therapy should help you live more fully into your values and your truth. And while we’ll talk about the pain points, we’ll also hold space for joy, gratitude, and hope.
My style is warm, structured, and collaborative. My job isn’t to tell you who to be—it’s to help you become more of who you already are.
My Office in Davenport
I practice out of a private office in a beautiful, women-owned collaborative space in downtown Davenport. It’s filled with creative professionals—writers, artists, developers, and yes, therapists. You may see art supplies, puppets, or sensory tools in the common areas; our group includes clinicians who offer play and art therapy as well.
The space is airy, vibrant, and quietly inspiring—a perfect setting for thoughtful, relational work.
And outside? You’ll find the heartbeat of a growing, tight-knit community with a strong sense of local pride and midwestern warmth.
What Inspires Me
I’ve always been fascinated by people’s resilience—their ability to grow in the face of hardship, to keep showing up for themselves and each other. It’s what led me to social work in the first place.
I’ve worked in nursing homes, in schools, and with community organizations. I’ve supervised graduate students, led social work boards, and advocated for deaf and hard-of-hearing children and families across Iowa. But no matter the setting, I’m always drawn to the same thing: the quiet strength in people’s stories.
My training taught me to see clients in context. My life experience taught me to meet them with compassion.
Jillyn was wonderful to work with. We both felt like she really listened to us and validated both of our perspectives. She was very skilled in translating for one another, getting to the root issue of our problems, and reinforcing our unique values and how that affects conflict in our marriage. The step-by-step conversations for her navigating a conflict in the aftermath of an argument were very helpful. It was really helpful for Jillyn to jump in and tell us when we were going off track or criticizing, making assumptions, etc.
We feel much closer now, and hopeful again about our marriage. I feel more committed and I’m no longer considering divorce.
Personally Speaking
I grew up moving often—three elementary schools, two middle schools, and one very blended, very full house. After my mom remarried, I became the oldest of seven kids. It was loud. It was chaotic. And it taught me a lot about finding quiet moments of connection in the midst of the noise.
For two weeks each year, I got to be an “only child” again—one week with each set of grandparents. My grandmother ran an ice cream shop. For a kid, that felt like magic. Those slower, simpler weeks were where I learned how powerful presence and attention can be.
Later, I worked in a nursing home—partly because of the deep love I had for my grandparents. It was a way of honoring them.
Today, I live in a small town again, not far from where I grew up. After years in Chicago and its suburbs, I came back for the same reason many people do: family.
I met my husband, Adam, in my mid-twenties. His calm, accepting nature was exactly the kind of grounding love I didn’t know I needed. We’ve built a family together—four children, two dogs (Bosco and Dorito), and countless memories. But our journey hasn’t been without struggle.
We’ve lived through miscarriages. Our oldest child was born deaf. There have been hard seasons—but they brought us closer, not further apart. I believe that relationships deepen when we let each other in during the hard parts. That’s what I try to help couples do, too.
What It’s Like to Work With Me
Clients describe me as warm, honest, and steady. I won’t rush you. I won’t shame you. But I will help you look at what’s working—and what’s not—with compassion and clarity.
I believe in small moments of change that add up to big shifts. I believe in honoring your strengths while gently challenging your patterns. And I believe that therapy should leave you feeling not just heard, but empowered.
Whether you’re navigating conflict, grief, parenting stress, or trying to reconnect after years of drifting apart—there’s hope. And there’s help.
Hobbies & Life Outside the Office
When I’m not working, I’m reading, organizing, or playing board games with my family. I’m part of a book club from my alma mater and love a good fiction novel just as much as I enjoy digging into clinical research. I love systems that work, stories that move me, and creating small rituals of connection with the people I love.
Time for hobbies can be hard to come by, but I try to be fully present in the moments I do get.
Community Involvement
I believe in giving back and staying connected. Over the years, I’ve served on the boards of:
- Child Health Specialty Clinics
- Iowa Board of Social Work
- Iowa Commission on Deaf Services
- Hands & Voices, Iowa (Co-President)
- Aegis Credit Union (Secretary)
I’ve also been a Junior League member, a volunteer service fraternity member, and I supervise graduate student practicums and licensure candidates.
Leadership matters—but so does listening. I try to do both.
I invite you to join me in Davenport, Iowa for a private couples therapy retreat. Let’s create a space where healing feels possible again.
