It is an important part of therapy to connect with your therapist and to have your therapist able to connect with you. Studies show that therapy is more beneficial when you have a good relationship with your therapist. At West Wellness we would like to help facilitate better relationships with our clients by sharing about ourselves. For one week every month we will shine the spotlight on one of our therapists with a Q&A so you can get to know us better.
Meet Jacqueline!
Why did you get into this field?
My journey to becoming a psychotherapist was not a direct path. Like every young hockey player who is completely obsessed with the game, I didn’t really have any career plans beyond playing hockey as long as possible. Although I was able to make that dream come true and play until I was 22, I didn’t really have a plan for what was next. Hockey for me ended earlier than I would have liked. I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer and wasn’t physically able to continue playing hockey at a high level for a couple of years. As I tried a couple of different jobs hoping to find something that felt as fulfilling as sports, I started coaching. I felt I was in a unique position. I knew what it took to play sports at a high level and I also understood the mental toll it can take especially when faced with adversity. As I went on to complete my Masters of Arts in Counseling Psychology I worked with teams as a mental performance coach and consultant. In doing this, I quickly realized there was a gap in service. The physical side of the game was flooded with practitioners, coaches, and specialists but the mental side was still fairly untouched. Although I specialize in athletes, I love working with a variety of clients looking to improve their mental wellness to increase performance whatever their passion may be!
What do you enjoy about your work?
What I enjoy most in general is human connection. I’ve always enjoyed conversations beyond the surface. The best part about my job is that it doesn’t feel like a job. I get to spend my time connecting with a variety of individuals as we work together to develop a plan to improve different aspects of their lives!
What is your approach to working with clients?
I try to build a foundation of trust, communication, and respect with every client I work with. Developing a strong rapport and creating an environment where clients feel safe to be honest and vulnerable is my ultimate goal. I strongly believe that the work we do is much more challenging when there isn’t a genuine working relationship.
What inspires you and motivates you in this work?
Knowing that the work I do is making a difference motivates me to continue learning and growing. I take my own personal development very seriously as I feel it will only enhance my ability to serve clients.
What do you do for self-care?
Sports and nature is where I go for my self-care. I love playing sports, watching sports and feeling connected to the people around me. Whether it is playing hockey, baseball, soccer, hiking, walking, or just sitting in my backyard drinking tea and chatting with some of my closest friends. That’s what fills my cup!
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health please reach out to us at West Wellness. We would love to hear from you!
References:
American Psychology Association, “Better Relationships with Patients Lead to Better Outcomes”. Tori DeAngelis, November 1, 2019. https://www.apa.org/monitor/2019/11/ce-corner-relationships