About PennWalt Therapeutics, PLLC
Learn how personal loss shaped a practice rooted in compassion.
Built from Loss and Love
PennWalt Therapeutic was born from personal loss that shaped my path in mental health. “Penn” is for my sister, Penny Scott, who passed away from drug addiction when I was 19, and “Walt” is for my father Walter Scott, but everybody knew him as Ferrell, who died a year later from heartbreak.
A Practice Rooted in Purpose
Colors That Carry Meaning
The colors you’ll see throughout—blue and green—reflect their presence in my life: blue for Penn, green for Walt. This practice is my way of honoring their memory while helping others heal.
About Me
Jennifer Smith has over 15 years of experience supporting adolescents, adults, and families through a wide range of mental health concerns, including trauma, depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. She specializes in trauma-informed care and uses a person-centered, holistic approach, honoring the unique strengths, culture, and life experiences of each client.
Jennifer’s decision to dedicate her life to mental health care was deeply personal. After losing her sister to addiction, she witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of untreated mental health and substance use challenges—and the transformative power of compassion and support. This experience fuels her commitment to creating a safe, nonjudgmental space where clients feel seen, heard, and valued.
Her therapeutic style blends warmth, authenticity, and evidence-based practices to foster healing and growth. She believes in the power of collaboration—meeting clients where they are and walking alongside them as they build resilience, restore balance, and rediscover hope.
Recognizing that mental health is just as vital as physical health, she helps clients strengthen their emotional well-being, improve relationships, and create a life that feels meaningful and whole. Above all, Jennifer is dedicated to helping people move from surviving to truly living.
Meet our Penn Walt Team
Haley Grimes-Stiroh, MA, NBCC, LAC/LPCA
Accepting NJ & CT Aetna, BCBS, Cigna, and Self-pay patients
Hi! I'm Haley, and I am so happy to be part of your mental health journey. Too often, mental health gets overlooked because it’s not as visible as physical health. I believe mental health should be a priority in everything we do, and that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to improving your mental well-being. I’ve always loved having meaningful conversations with people, especially about the things that make them feel confident and help them grow.
In therapy, I especially enjoy working with people who are navigating anxiety, depression, body image/self-esteem issues, trauma, and eating disorders. These are deeply personal challenges, but they’re also opportunities for growth, healing, and finding new ways to connect with yourself. A lot of life will happen outside of our time together, so making sure we are always working towards your goals and finding ways to help you make and keep sustainable progress will be our goal together.
I pride myself on building a relationship based on trust, communication, and without judgement, you will always have a safe place to land here. It’s a privilege to be part of your mental health journey, and I’m here to support you every step of the way.
Shane Hoover, MD, LCSW
I’m Shane, and I’m drawn to this work because I want to help people navigate difficult seasons of life with care, clarity, and support. As a primary care physician for two decades, I worked closely with families to navigate the complexity of mental illness with compassion, empathy, and understanding. After retiring from medicine a few years ago to spend time focusing on family, I continued to recall the struggles that my patients had regarding the stigma surrounding mental illness and the obstacles in obtaining treatment and care. As my children grew into adults, I decided to start a new chapter and devote my skills and efforts to helping those who continue to struggle with their mental wellness. I believe no one should have to suffer alone, and my goal is to offer a space where clients feel safe, respected, and able to trust the therapeutic process. I provide thoughtful, high-quality therapy for adults, teens and couples in a warm and supportive environment. My work is grounded in the belief that healing and growth are possible when people feel understood and supported.
My approach is collaborative and compassionate. I work alongside clients to understand what they’re experiencing, explore patterns that may be keeping them stuck, and move toward meaningful change at a pace that feels right. Whether I’m working with adults facing anxiety or life transitions, teens managing emotional and developmental challenges, or couples seeking stronger communication and connection, I tailor therapy to the unique needs of each person or relationship.
I am open to working with people from all backgrounds and walks of life, and I strive to create an inclusive, welcoming environment for everyone I serve. Starting therapy can be a significant step, and you don’t need to have everything figured out to begin. My hope is that you’ll find this to be a calm, supportive space where you can move toward greater balance and well-being.
Where Professional Meets Personal Healing
I bring over 16 years of clinical experience to this work, but the heart of PennWalt is deeply personal. Reach out to learn how I can support your healing journey.