Jed Eldred LGSW

My name is Jed Eldred, and I am a Deaf social worker who uses American Sign Language (ASL) as my primary language. I believe therapy should be a safe, welcoming, and respectful space where you can express openly.

Too often, members of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (D/HH) community, as well as their loved ones, experience being misunderstood or having to repeatedly explain themselves, their communication needs, and their identities. As a Deaf person, I bring my own lived experience and understanding to this work. I recognize that every person’s experience with hearing, Deafness, communication, and identity is different. I have experience working with individuals across a range of D/HH experiences, and I strive to ensure that you or your loved one’s identity and personal journey is respected, affirmed, and celebrated.

Communication is at the heart of my work. I can communicate through American Sign Language (ASL), Pidgin Signed English (PSE), Signed Exact English (SEE), International Sign, and written English. I value finding a communication approach that feels most comfortable and natural for each individual.

Working with D/HH Children

I am particularly passionate about supporting Deaf and Hard of Hearing children as they navigate a world that is not always designed with them in mind.

In my previous work with D/HH children, I have focused on helping them recognize, understand, and express their emotions through their preferred language and communication approach. I believe that connecting language with emotions is an important part of helping children understand themselves, communicate their needs, and build healthy relationships.

Therapy can also provide opportunities for children to explore and navigate challenging experiences, including grief, anxiety, frustration, social relationships, and other difficult situations. I strive to create an environment where children can learn about their feelings, develop coping skills, build confidence, and feel comfortable being themselves.

I believe in advocating for D/HH children by connecting them with the world through accessible language, meaningful relationships, and opportunities to develop their own voices and identities.

My Therapeutic Approach

My approach is strengths-based and collaborative. I recognize that every child brings their own strengths, experiences, and abilities into therapy. Rather than focusing solely on challenges, I work alongside children and families to identify strengths, develop practical strategies, and build skills that support their everyday lives.

My work incorporates strengths-based practice, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), and play-based approaches. I use these approaches to help children explore their emotions, work through challenges, develop coping strategies, and build confidence in navigating their world.

You deserve a space where your language, identity, experiences, and feelings are understood, respected, and celebrated.

Jed offers in-person sessions. To schedule with Jed, please email weare@CompassionCollectiveMN.com

Jed is a mental health practitioner operating as an independent contractor (1099) with Compassion Collective MN. As an independent contractor, he is solely responsible for his own caseload, client care, clinical decisions, scheduling, and treatment planning. Compassion Collective MN provides shared office space and administrative support but does not direct, or assume liability for the independent clinical practice of its contracted practitioners.