Jennifer McKechnie

Registered Social Worker

Provinces: Ontario

Fees (Individuals): $185/session

Ages: 13 and older

Earth from space

Counselling is not about being fixed, it’s about realizing you were never broken to begin with.

You may have inner emotional wounds from past hurts, but you are far from being “broken”. As a therapist, I’ll support you in exploring the areas of life that are causing you discomfort, and we can adjust what’s needed, to ease your pain. I’ve been working in mental health for over 10 years and while I work with a number of approaches, I mainly utilize two forms of trauma therapy with my clients. Both EMDR and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy are able to help work on the deeper processes that can interrupt your life.

Embodied Therapies Like EMDR and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Go Beyond Coping Skills

When we experience pain, distress, or a traumatic event in the past, it can leave unmoved feelings or sensations in the past which can cause you anxiety, flashbacks, depression, and many other symptoms. Often, you may first try to find coping skills, in order to manage those feelings. But what if you could go deeper, to the source, and allow those difficult feelings from the past to finally move and process? This could allow for a more peaceful, harmonious life.

 

Your Past Trauma Does Not Have To Define Your Future

As someone who has worked in a hospital based program for women and children who had experienced sexual trauma, I’ve seen the immediate impacts of severe trauma. I’ve also witnessed the recovery and healing that can happen with the right therapeutic interventions.

Surviving is where you begin your journey of healing after a traumatic event, or a childhood filled with neglect/abuse. You have survived, sometimes it can take time to even recognize that. You are a survivor, and with the support of therapy, you can take back your power and begin to make steps so you can thrive in your life again.

 

I Will Walk With You, Where You Are Today

Embodied, humanistic therapy appeals to me because it allows me to be fully present and meet you where you are today.  We can bring awareness to, or a curiosity in understanding and exploring yourself, and then apply those discoveries to your daily life.  In essence, these approaches create an opportunity to study your own “owner’s manual”!  Embodied therapy can help you to normalize your experiences – to understand that there is science behind how you think, feel and respond to certain experiences or memories.

 

“It Takes Enormous Trust and Courage to Allow Yourself to Remember.”
Bessel A. van der Kolk

I understand that when you’ve experienced trauma, sometimes the last thing you want to do is focus on memories and feelings. If you are reading my profile, I know there is a part of you that is yearning for change. I am dedicated to providing therapy that will support your process at the right pace, not rushed, or pulled back, but at a level that can facilitate gentle, lasting progress in your mental wellbeing. Reach out when you are ready, I’m here for you.

Approaches

  • EMDR
  • All Individual Counsellors
  • Attachment Based Therapy
  • Culturally Sensitive Practice
  • Social Justice Approach
  • Somatic Therapy

Support For

  • Trauma
  • ADHD
  • Anxiety
  • Anxiety & Depression
  • Bipolar Disorder
  • Body Image
  • Borderline Personality Disorder
  • Boundary Setting
  • Breakups
  • Burnout
  • Car Accidents
  • Caregiver Stress
  • Childhood Trauma (CPTSD)
  • Communication Issues
  • Cultural Identity
  • Depression
  • Domestic Abuse
  • Emotional Regulation
  • Family Dynamics
  • First Responders
  • Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
  • Grief
  • Grief & Loss
  • Grieving Life Transitions
  • Identity and Culture
  • Indigenous Challenges and First Nation
  • Intergenerational Trauma
  • Life Transitions
  • Loss of a loved one
  • Mood Disorders
  • Mood Disorders & Neurodiversity
  • Panic Attacks
  • Perfectionism
  • Physical Health
  • PTSD
  • Relationships (Individual)
  • Self-Esteem
  • Sexual Assault
  • Sleep Issues
  • Social Anxiety
  • Stress and Self-Worth
  • Stress Management
  • Suicidal Ideation
  • Trauma
  • Traumatic Brain Injury / Concussions
  • Veterans
  • Women's Issues
  • Work Related Accidents
  • Work-Life Balance

Professional Qualifications

  • Registered Social Worker, OCSWSSW #: 830001
  • Masters of Social Work, Laurentian University
  • Honours Bachelor of Arts, University of Toronto
  • EMDR Certified, EMDIRA
  • Member in good standing of the Canadian Association of Social Workers, Ontario Association of Social Workers, and Ontario College of Social Workers
  • EMDR training, Niagara Stress and Trauma Clinic
  • Level 1, 2, 3 Attachment Focused EMDR, Parnell Institute
  • Developmentally Appropriate EMDR Therapy with Children and Adolescents, Ana Gomez
  • Trauma-Informed Stabilization Treatment (TIST) Level 1
  • Certified Traumatologist, Traumatology Institute of Canada, with credits in:
    • Early Intervention Field Traumatologist
    • Clinical Standards of Trauma Care: Attachment, Systems and Context
    • Group Approaches with Trauma Survivors: Clinical
    • Compassion Fatigue Specialist
    • Tools for Trauma: A CBT Approach
  • Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT), 2019
  • TIST(Trauma-Informed Stabilization Treatment) Level 1 – Janina Fisher
  • Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, Levels 1 and 2
  • Safe and Sound Protocol, Integrated Listening Systems
  • Rhythm of Regulation, Foundations Course (Polyvagal Theory), Deb Dana
  • Self-Reg Foundations, Levels 1, 2, and 3, The MEHRIT Centre (Dr. Stuart Shanker)
  • Mindful Self-Compassion certificate with Kristin Neff, Hinks-Dellcrest Centre
  • B-SAFER training (Brief Spousal Assault Form for the Evaluation of Risk)
  • Non-Profit Social Services Leadership certificate, Schulich School of Business, York University
  • Equine Assisted Therapy, Exploration and Foundations, Healing Hooves (Focus Training currently in progress toward certification with Pro-EFW)

Fees

Consultations

  • Initial 20 min video consultation is FREE

Individual Sessions

  • $185 - 50 mins

Book a Free Consultation

Take the first step toward better mental health—schedule your free consultation today and connect with a licensed therapist who understands your needs.