Jennifer McKechnie
Jennifer McKechnie, MSW, RSW (she/her)
Registered Social Worker
Provinces: Ontario Only
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.
Areas of Practice and Approach
Individual Counselling
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
- Attachment Focused EMDR
- Sensoritomotor Somatic Therapy
- Internal Family Systems (IFS)
- Trauma Focused Therapy
Support For
- Trauma & PTSD
- Sexual Trauma
- Childhood/Developmental Trauma
- Complex Trauma (CPTSD)
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Self-Esteem & Self-Worth
- Childhood/Developmental Trauma
- Attachment Injuries
- Relationship Challenges
- Dissociative Disorders
- Emotion Regulation
- Trauma & PTSD
- Stress
- Relationship Issues
- Perfectionism/Self-Esteem
- Survivors & Victims of Abuse/Domestic Violence
Age Group I Work With
- 13 and older
Professional Qualifications and Experience
Masters of Social Work, Laurentian University
Honours Bachelor of Arts, University of Toronto
Ontario Social Work Certification of Registration, OCSWSSW
EMDR Certified, EMDIRA
Level 1, 2, 3 Attachment Focused EMDR, Parnell Institute
Professional Fees
Consultations
- Initial consultations are FREE
- All consultations are 20 minutes long
Individual Counselling
- $160
- 50 minute session
Couples Counselling
- I’m not accepting couples at this time
Crypto Payments
- Are available
- Email us for more information
