About

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Hi, I’m Jen.

Life’s given me a unique insight and capacity to journey with those who are seeking pathways towards awareness, resiliency, and well-being.
My own experience of anxiety, panic attacks, and the effects of trauma, alongside growing up with a father diagnosed with schizophrenia fostered a vast curiosity about human nature in all its manifestations. Mind-body practices and yoga were, and continue to remain an important part of my healing journey, inspiring me to train as a yoga teacher, yoga therapist, and trauma-sensitive yoga facilitator.

Since 2007, I’ve dedicated my professional career to the mental health field. From working at a schizophrenia outpatient program in my hometown Hamilton, Canada to community and inpatient mental health programs in the North and South Islands of New Zealand, I’ve learned firsthand that early childhood and complex trauma lives in the body and the nervous system. And that there’s no one way to foster healing.

The body, mind, and spirit are connected. When we find space, we can listen to the deeper meaning within the messages of our inner world and find hope and healing.

That’s why I’ve devoted my current practice to holistic models of trauma therapy that empower others on their own journey of awareness, re-connection, and self-discovery.

“It was when i stopped searching for home within others and lifted the foundations of home within myself I found there were no roots more intimate than those between a mind and body that have decided to be whole.”

~ rupi kaur

Jen earned her Masters of Science and Bachelor of Kinesiology and Psychology from McMaster University, with further specialisation in psychotherapy (Canada). She holds certification as a yoga therapist and a Trauma Center Trauma Sensitive Yoga (TC-TSY) facilitator through the Trauma Center at the Justice Resource Institute and has trained with the Australia and New Zealand Association of Psychotherapy (ANZAP) in trauma-informed psychotherapy.

Jen is grounded in evidence-based and holistic methods of trauma healing including EMDR and trauma-sensitive yoga on a basis of a collaborative therapeutic relationship. Within her 1-1 client work she offers a safe space for self discovery by bridging talk therapy and embodiment practices. Personalised therapeutic yoga, breathing, meditation and grounding practices are offered as opportunities to cultivate curiosity and awareness. She also offers a regular trauma-sensitive
yoga group series in Nelson.

 

Clinical Experience

  • Hamilton Program for Schizophrenia (Canada)
  • Public Health Community Mental Health Centres including Waikato and Nelson Marlborough District Health Boards, Rural North Community Mental Health Services (New Zealand)
  • Wāhi Oranga unit (inpatient mental health) (New Zealand)
  • ACC funded support with Chronic Pain and Sensitive Claims
  • Persistent pain counselling, Primary Health
  • Extensive clinical work with those navigating anxiety, depression, chronic health conditions, persistent pain, trauma, addiction / substance use, suicide and stress.

Education & Professional Development

  • Bachelors of Kinesiology & Psychology, McMaster University (Canada), 2004
  • Master of Science, Occupational Therapy, McMaster University (Canada), 2007
  • The Conversational Model, Australia and New Zealand Association of Psychotherapy
  • Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) Level 1 & Level 2
  • Te Ara Totika / Applying Tikanga Best Practice in Healthcare, The University of Waikato
  • Certified Yoga Instructor (Ashram Yoga, Coromandel NZ) 200hr
  • Yoga therapy Training (Yoga Therapy Toronto, Toronto Canada) 800hr (2019-2021)
  • Mindfulness based stress reduction (graduate)
  • Yoga Psychology (Dr. Mohan, Svastha Yoga & Ayurveda)
  • Yoga Therapy in Pain Care (Ajna Yoga Therapy College)
  • Trauma Center Trauma-Sensitive Yoga Certification Program (300-hr)
  • Trauma resilience model (Trauma Resource Institute)
  • Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and CBT for Insomnia (CBT-I)
  • Progressive goal attainment Program Certification

Professional Memberships

  • Australia and New Zealand Association of Psychotherapists (ANZAP)
  • International Association of Yoga Therapists (I-AYT)
  • New Zealand Association of Counsellors (NZAC) Provisional Member