Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
MACP (in progress)

Introduction

Hello! My name is Jillian. I am a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) and a masters-level student working under the guidance and supervision of Christina Janiga. I provide reduced rate counselling services to adolescents aged 16 and up and adults who are looking for support with anxiety, parenting, trauma, life-transitions, emotion regulation, and relationship challenges. I am passionate about supporting individuals who struggle with cultivating self-compassion and prioritizing meeting their own needs in the face of everyday stressors.

What you can expect in our work together 

I truly believe that therapy is a journey that allows us to walk through difficult times with someone by our side. Finding peace, and navigating life’s challenges does not have to be a lonely undertaking. I approach therapy from an integrative perspective that incorporates tools from mindful self-compassion (MSC), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), and client-centered modalities to meet each individual’s needs best. I am particularly passionate about mindfulness and self-compassion and have completed the mindful self-compassion program (MSC).

I understand that starting therapy can be difficult. A safe, respectful, and comfortable therapeutic alliance and client-therapist fit are fundamental to making positive change and meeting your goals. I work from a culturally sensitive, compassionate and mindful place. In collaboration, I help my clients build resilience by discovering insights with increased self-compassion and acceptance.

A little bit about me and my personal experience with mental health support 

I come from a varied background, including a decade working as a Chartered Accountant. I am also a qualified teacher and spent several years tutoring high school students with Pathways to Education – a program that seeks to improve academic outcomes for youth who come from low socio-economic backgrounds. Last, but certainly not least, I am a mother, and a co-parent of three amazing kids. 

My personal journey to becoming a psychotherapist began with supporting a loved one through a variety of mental health challenges. A friend of mine confided in me that she went to therapy and found it to be incredibly helpful. I decided to try it out myself and my own therapy allowed me to not only help my loved one, but also care for myself in the process. Brené Brown refers to the “unravelling” that occurs at mid-life, and I can attest to this challenging experience and, through it, the increased self-care and self-love that we can all achieve.I  am passionate about supporting adults and adolescents through the difficult experiences, emotions, and challenges that may be present in their lives.

Wondering whether counselling is the right support for you? 

Through personal experience, I can understand how challenging it can be to navigate mental health care. By reaching out and setting up a free consultation with me, you will be given the time and space to explore what it is that you are looking for, ask any questions you may have about the process and of course, we can explore how I could best support you. Sometimes taking the first step can be the hardest, but putting in the time and effort towards your own mental well-being is an investment worthwhile. 

“Loving ourselves is the most difficult and courageous thing we’ll ever do.”

– Brené Brown.