- With Mayo Clinic behavioral counselor
Jennifer A. Kern, M.S., C.T.T.S.
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Jennifer A. Kern, M.S., C.T.T.S.
Jennifer A. Kern, M.S., C.T.T.S.
Jennifer Kern is a tobacco treatment specialist, certified through the Mayo Clinic Nicotine Dependence Center.
Her counseling work addresses various aspects of tobacco addiction, including the love-hate relationship many tobacco users have with their smoking or chewing, education about nicotine addiction, and effective strategies to help with quitting.
In addition, she explores the importance of getting emotional and social support when stopping tobacco use, and offers ideas and suggestions about how to ask for and give this support.
Being bilingual, she enjoys counseling in both Spanish and English. She holds a master's degree in psychology, with interests including spirituality, psychosomatic illness, depression and anxiety, maladaptive coping behaviors, and overall health behavior change.
"As a former smoker, I am personally familiar with the complexity of dealing with the 'tobacco shackles,' " she said. "I am committed to helping others conquer this addiction so they may regain their freedom and possibly even save their own lives."
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Quit smoking blog
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Nov. 5, 2009
Preparation key to quitting smoking
By Jennifer A. Kern, M.S., C.T.T.S.
Preparation is something we are constantly engaged in throughout our lives. We are all in a process of getting ready for our "next steps," whether consciously aware of it or not. It may be something as small as brushing our teeth to prepare to go to bed, or something as big as getting a baby room ready to prepare for a new member of the family.
We know from experience that in order to have the outcomes we want in life, we need to take responsibility for the results in advance through adequate preparation. The same is true for going tobacco-free.
When you think about quitting smoking, consider the preparation steps you'll need to take to have the success you desire.
- Reflect on what has worked in the past and build on that.
- Practice not smoking in advance and try out the coping tools you plan to use.
- Take the time to write out what you will do when you have the urge to smoke.
- Review medication options with your doctor or another health professional.
- Talk to a support person about how they can help you through situations that put you at risk of relapse.
- Spend a few minutes everyday visualizing what your life will be like and how you will feel as a non-smoker.
- Add your own steps — ones that you know will work for you.
The more work you can do up front, the better your "performance" will be once you reach your target smoke-free date. When you prepare in advance for how you will live your life as a non-smoker, you set yourself up for success.
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