“Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.”

I am a registered therapeutic counsellor (RTC), a Registered Clinical Counsellor, and a Thérapeute en relation d’aide ( in Québec). I am a 2019 graduate of Clearmind International’s Practitioners Training Program in transpersonal counselling and a 2022 graduate of a Masters of Counselling Psychology at Yorkville University in Fredericton New Brunswick. I am a 3rd-year student at the Somatic Experiencing Institute (expected certification as SEP in 2023).

Through a deep understanding of the human condition, and our universal & innate desire for connection and safety, I aim to transform the lives of trauma-affected individuals, couples and families to re-ignite intimacy, a sense of safety and help them access a sense of vitality. Over my career, I have worked in:

✔ Tele-psychotherapy & traditional in-person psychotherapy

✔ Experiential Process, Somatic interventions, Mindfulness & Gestalt ,Therapy, Family Systems Work, Inner child work, Guided Meditation, Breathe work, spirituality exploration.

✔ Individual, couple and group therapy

✔ Support group facilitation

There is never a one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to transpersonal therapy. Passionate about preserving and/or restoring harmony and equilibrium (self-efficacy), I help bring awareness to behavioural & emotional incongruencies impacting relationships. Building trust & a sense of safety in connection using genuine warmth and encouragement, somatic & experiential techniques, I facilitate the client’s journey towards healing & self-awareness. I combined talk therapy: connecting the experiences from your past; with body awareness: understanding what your body is telling you, to heal the imprints of stress and trauma. Thus, letting go of the defended you and becoming the authentic person you want to be. This mind-body connection puts you in the driver’s seat

I bring a lot of sensitivity, acceptance, and interest in clients who struggle with childhood trauma, abandonment wounding,  sexual abuse, rage, grief, divorce, neurodiversity,gender identities, depression & anxiety as well as intimacy struggles.

I have completed 3 years Somatic Experiencing training in healing

trauma. This means I have a belief in the body’s natural ability to heal and we will work

with listening to your body’s wisdom. Questions about what you are feeling in your body,

as well as about your thoughts and feelings, are an important part of this work.

While I bring some expertise and knowledge about how to heal trauma, you are the

expert on who you are and what it is like to be you. As we go along, you will be teaching

me about how I can best support you. This may mean that as we work together, you will

say things like:

 “That really helped me,”

 “I don’t like that exercise, can we do this one instead,”

 I think that thing we did 2 weeks ago would be really helpful to me now.”

We are equal participants in this process and I encourage your ideas and feedback at

all times. And, you have the right to say no to any question I ask or any treatment I

offer.

On occasion, and only with your agreement, I use Somatic Experiencing touch.

Sometimes, the touch involves remaining in our chairs and experiencing ‘grounded

touch’ like a foot touching a foot or a hand on a shoulder. At other times, I may invite

you to use a table and I use my hands to listen to what is going on in your body, just

like I do with my ears or my eyes when we talk. The purpose of the touch is to help

resolve traumatic patterns in the body and nervous system. I am not trained to work

with active injuries.

Before any of this table work takes place, I shall inform you of what we are going to do

and why, and ensure that you feel safe. I shall also always ask your permission before I

place a hand on any area of your body.

After a session, you may feel a variety of different feelings: tired, energized, joyful,

sad.... If you are feeling emotions or body sensations that are overwhelming, please feel

free to contact me between sessions. I will call you back as soon as possible.

 Some of my other counselling areas of knowledge span:

► Transpersonal Psychology

► Somatic Experiencing Therapy for Trauma Intermediate 2 (SEP Completion 2023)

► Process Experiential & Gestalt Therapy

► AEDP Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (Level 1) Level 2 in Progress

► Family Systems Theory – Systemic Trauma- Intergenerational Trauma

► Complex Trauma Certification CCPT/CCTP with Janina Fisher, Phd (in Progress)

► Clinical Counselling Internship with FSGV’s Trauma Unit(Family Services of Greater Vancouver) September 2021- April 2022

►Advanced skills in Sexual Trauma using Somatic Interventions with Ariel Giaretti. 24 hrs 2022.

►Somatic Experiencing Supervision and training with Peter Levine, M.D in San Diego December 2022

►Tara Brach and Jack Kornfield 12 week Mindfulness Meditation training.

►Quantum Navigation Training (Healing the Inner Child) with Ronald Holt November, 2022. 

I am a graduate of Yorkville University with a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology 2022.  I am  a Certified Canadian Counsellor (CCC #11241350).  I am also completing my credentials to become a Registered Provisional Psychologist through the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP).  I am expected to be completed this process by mid-2023. 

I specialize in trauma from military and first responder situations, as well as domestic violence and sexual assault.  I also specialize in working with those who have bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, and ADHD.  My protocols are based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, as well as Somatic processing and emotional processing

My previous careers took me into the realms of the Canadian Armed Forces as a Reserve Military Police Officer for four years.  I was also a fire fighter/pump operator with the Drayton Valley Brazeau County Fire Services from 2009 to 2019, in which a physical injury led me to counselling, as I could no longer perform the physical requirements of each career. 

Due to some of the experiences within the military and the fire department, I sought out counsellors and psychologists, many of which, I found, did not understand the complex nature and dark humor of the emergency services trades.  I decided that for this to change, I needed to become a counsellor that understands the emergency responder roles, along with the good, the bad, and the ugly. 

✔ Tele-psychotherapy & traditional in-person psychotherapy

✔ Experiential Process, Somatic interventions, M-CBT & Gestalt Therapy, Family Systems Work

✔ Individual, couple and group therapy

✔ Support group facilitation

 Education and Training

I have extensive training, some in the field of psychology and counselling, and some outside of it.  All of which has given me the life experience to be a counsellor with understanding and empathy. 

►I have Bachelor of Management (accounting and finance) from Concordia University of Edmonton, AB.

►NFPA 1001 – Level 1&2 – Standard for Fire Fighter Profession, HazMat (Lakeland College),

►NFPA 1002 – Standard for Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator (Lakeland College),

►Basic Military Qualifications and Basic Military Qualifications – Land (CFB Edmonton),

►Master of Arts Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University in Fredericton, NB. 

►I am currently completing my Bachelor of Arts (Psychology), Athabasca University, AB, to be finished by 2024. I am hoping to complete my Doctorate of Psychology in the next few years as well. 

Jennifer is specialised in working from somatic and mindfulness perspectives with clients struggling with anxiety, depression and trauma.

She has an incredible training and academic history in which she obtained a graduate certificate in Neuroscinece from Michigan State University and is in the midst of completing her Doctorate in Philosophy Art and Critical Theory at European Graduate Scool of Switzerland, a Diploma in Creativity, Theory, History and Philosophy at Cambridge University in England.

She is a 2022 Graduate of the Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology and Yorkville Univerity, my alma mater.

She is available for online sessions in Western Canada. Book a free 15 minute consult.

We can begin by discovering what matters most to you. Even in profound loss, or trauma, it is possible to come to a place of growth and recovery. Meaningful change can emerge in relation to how we feel toward ourselves, our physical being, and in our interactions with others. The journey starts with creative discovery and self-compassion.
I’m committed to helping you discover a place of ease and resilience. My formal education is in Counselling Psychology (MA), Medical Neuroscience (Graduate), Buddhist studies, Philosophy (BA), and Fine Art. I’m a trauma-informed yoga and Vipassana meditation teacher. I offer neuroscience informed counselling models and specialize in relationship counselling, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Internal Family Systems, Buddhist psychology, and psychology of creativity.
Counselling is an important first step, but it can be difficult to reach out. I’m here with you to grow through difficult emotions or relationship challenges.
I bring decades of experience in broad areas of mental health, and offer my clients a warm collaborative therapy space. I am committed to helping my clients recover the feelings of hope and meaning that can help us to heal and thrive."

✔ Tele-psychotherapy & traditional in-person psychotherapy

✔ Internal Family Systems (IFS), Acceptance and Commitment (ACT), Mindfulness-Based (MBCT)

✔ Individual, couple, family and group therapy

✔ Support group facilitation

✔Trauma-informed yoga and Vipassana meditation teacher

 Education and Training

I have extensive training, some in the field of psychology and counselling, and some outside of it.  All of which has given me the life experience to be a counsellor with understanding and empathy.