I have an open and transparent approach with my clients, and I share up front that I know neurodivergence, anxiety, chronic illness and trauma personally and professionally inside and out and have done, and continue to do therapy myself as a support for thriving.

It is important to know that all the feels are welcome with me. Rage, tears, grief, I’ve got you. Also, therapy can be fun! I try to cultivate joy in the work to support and balance the very hard parts of life. We will definitely laugh together on the journey because finding humor in the complexity of being human is medicine. 

I am a neurobiological nerd and view folks individually through their strengths, with a lens of resourcing their nervous system needs. I am also deeply rooted in systems thinking and analyzing how the culture and our many different kinds of relationships shape us. I like to support incremental tangible results in the work.

I try to bring in a lot of psychoeducation as well as various psychoanalytical skills to help folks identify and resource their needs in ways that work for them and help them thrive. These approaches range from CBT/DBT, Meditation/Mindfulness, Somatic Based Trauma Informed Therapy, Art Therapy, and more. I find an eclectic and diverse approach allows me to meet clients where they are at. There are a lot of therapists and modalities because there are a lot of different kinds of people with diverse needs. 

While I am skilled in evidence based treatments, I also love to bring in greater depth into the work with mindfulness and an integrative narrative approach to our lives. I like to learn the language of my clients and support them in becoming an intentional author of their own story. Somewhere in you, you know what you need, I want to support you in resourcing it. 

I wonder what stories you are holding onto?

I wonder which ones you want to keep and which ones you want to revise or let go of? 

I wonder what you want your next chapter to be? 

My clients often tell me that they feel I genuinely care about them and my work as a therapist, and it is true. I bring curiosity, warmth, creativity, and humor to the room as well as depth, compassion, and wisdom of experience.

I miss my little art studio where I made things with clients for almost a decade. In, 2020, I went completely telehealth so that is no longer possible. However, many of my clients still make things while we talk. I can also offer many creative interventions for folks to explore in and out of session as a vehicle for expression, intervention, and growth. I have worked with many artists on creative blocks and practice. If you want to make stuff, let’s talk about how! 

When was the last time you played with craft or art materials?

If you had more time, what would you want to creatively explore? 

How do you bring play and creativity into your daily life? 

I have a Contemplative Psychology with an Expressive Arts Emphasis and a Religious Studies Minor from Naropa University, 2007. I continued there and was awarded a masters degree in Transpersonal Counseling Psychology and Art Therapy in 2010. I continue to learn and hone skills day by day and it is exciting watching the field of psychology grow and become more interdisciplinary, as it should, since humans are influenced by so many factiors in our ongoing development. 

I have taken many trainings over the years that support an eclectic approach to the work. While all the modalities and skills I have aquired have been helpful with therapeutic diagnosis and intervention, none of them have been more powerful than my ongoing study and practice of mindfulness. 

Since 2002 I have been a practitioner of meditation and mindfulness. Since 2005 I have been a self pronounced Buddhist. In 2015 I took my refuge and Bodhisattva vows. I have done countless retreats and studied under many teachers. 

While my spiritual practice only comes up in therapy if people ask for that vantage point, it is a bedrock of how I show up in the now with my clients. 

Research is clear that no matter what intervention you use, if the attendance and relationship is not there, it is not as effective. I will show up consistently, grounded, present and focused. Being a therapist is my greatest privilege and practice of compassion on the planet. 

How present are you in your day to day?

How often do you pay attention to your body?

Are you aware of where your mind drifts to? Do you know how to bring it back to now? 

After many years of contract consulting, teaching, and facilitating in universities, hospitals, non profits and orgs I pivoted over to a second business in 2020 for coaching. My passion is bringing in true wellbeing and tangible community care into the workforce. You can check out my work there: jennharknesscoaching.com

Are you a leader who wants to bring more equity into your work? 

Cycling in and out of burn out?

Not sure how to bring wellbeing into the workplace in a meaningful way or where to start? 

A little about me personally: I am a middle aged, gender non conforming, bi-sexual, white cis-woman. I am passionate about issues of social justice, feminism, and the environment. I enjoy sci-fi and fantasy, art and jewelry making, hiking, and yoga. I live by the Salish Sea on a tiny island with several old boats I restored and continue to work and play on with my salty co-captain partner Eric. In my free time, I don’t people much, I’m an outgoing introvert who spends all her social spoons at work then disappears into nature and neurodivergent hyperfocused projects in her free time. Often, I wish I was a mermaid, sometimes I’m pretty sure I am.

What do you do for fun?

How much peopling do you need?

What fills your cup and soul with a sense of connectedness and awe?