Meet Jenna
Perinatal therapist & mother of three
I have more than 10 years of professional experience in the
social work field serving individuals across Alberta. I have
always gravitated towards roles that would allow me to
support families, from newly arrived refugees at Calgary Catholic Immigration Society to pregnant and parenting teens at Terra Centre for Teen Parents.
It was during my time at Terra Centre for Teen Parents that I first decided to pursue a career in mental health. In that role I was inspired by the strength and resiliency of the moms and moms-to-be to complete high school while also braving the learning curve of postpartum and parenting. I also had the opportunity to work in partnership with mental health professionals and saw the urgent need for access to accessible, affordable and high-quality services in the area of perinatal mental health.
As a mother myself, my own experiences further solidified my desire to dedicate myself to perinatal and postpartum mental health. My first son came into this world in a rather dramatic way, and I relied on therapy to work through the emotions that came as a result of that challenging adjustment period. Being a mom has been the most magical and exhausting role that I have ever experienced and I am familiar with the ups and downs that many of my own clients experience.
How do I work
I try to make therapy relatable and my approach focusses on your strengths and self-knowledge. It's not uncommon for my sessions to include laughter, tears, and everything in between. I offer a safe and non-judgmental space where you are guided and supported with the right tools to make the changes that you want to see in your life.
I describe my approach as eclectic, meaning that I draw from different approaches to suit that individual and their goals. I have experience in several modalities such as cognitive behaviour therapy, narrative therapy and mindfulness.
Together we will develop an understanding of the problem, identify your goals and develop a plan to get you to where you want to be.
Outside of Work
Outside of my role as a therapist, I am also a wife and a mother to three wild and wonderful souls (ages 5, 2 and 4 months). My boys bring so much joy and laughter to my life and they constantly teach me to slow down, release perfectionism and marvel at the little things.
Beyond motherhood and therapy, I love spending time in nature (especially by water), drinking hot coffee, reading thriller novels, collecting tattoos, and constantly organizing my house.
Credentials
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Master of Social Worker (Clinical Specialization), University of Calgary
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ACSW Registration No. 14970
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Bachelor of Arts, University of Calgary
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Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Perinatal Mood Disorders, The Beck Institute,
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Perinatal Grief & Loss, Seleni Institute
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Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorders, Seleni Institute
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Narrative Therapy Intensive, Calgary Narrative Therapy Collective
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Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy Basics, The Centre for Mindfulness Studies
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Cognitive Behaviour Therapy Essentials, The Beck Institute