Jennifer (she/her pronouns) is a Registered Social Worker with a Master of Social Work degree and post-graduate Certificate in Trauma, both from Wilfrid Laurier University. Jennifer has participated extensively in ongoing professional development, having completed training and workshops in Emotion-Focused Family Therapy, Synergetic Play Therapy, Expressive Art Therapy, DBT for Adolescents and Families, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Indigenous Cultural Safety, Motivational Interviewing, Sexual Violence Prevention for Children and Youth, and AMBIANCE-brief to assess parental attachment behaviours.
Jennifer has worked with children, youth, and families since 2015 and she has experience working with children and youth of all ages, including those that are neurodivergent. Jennifer uses a compassionate and empathetic relational approach when working with people in distress. She enjoys offering support, education, and wholistic wellness for children, youth, and adults who are struggling with mental health distress, with a focus on issues of toxic stress and complex trauma. She enjoys finding creative and expressive means to engage and relate to people and to develop therapeutic relationships premised on trust and safety. Jennifer utilizes a trauma-informed, attachment-based, and empowering theoretical framework in her counselling practice.
As an uninvited settler on the traditional and unceded territory of the Tk’emlúps te Secwe̓pemc peoples, reconciliation is another important aspect of her practice. Jennifer has experience working with Indigenous peoples, particularly with respect to issues of gendered violence and trauma. Jennifer is an approved mental health service provider for the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) health benefits programs.
In her spare time, you will likely find Jennifer at a field watching her children play sports, on one of the many fabulous running and biking trails in Kamloops, or camping lakeside with a book in hand.
Rishelle is a genuine, thoughtful therapist specializing in perinatal mental health. She currently focuses on providing therapy services for perinatal clients, as well as supporting parents in those intense years with young children.
Rishelle brings a deep understanding of the emotional complexities surrounding fertility challenges, pregnancy, transitions into parenthood, and perinatal mood disorders. She is passionate about supporting those who have experienced pregnancy and infant loss, including supporting women through subsequent pregnancies after a loss. She has several years experience as a clinical Social Worker in Neonatal Intensive Care and Labour and Delivery settings, and has experience working alongside parents facing medical concerns.
Rishelle often blends behavioral and interpersonal work with somatic approaches. Trauma can have an incredible impact on both mind and body, and these impacts can be amplified during major life transitions. Incorporating both the cognitive and physical in therapy helps clients not only understand their emotions and thoughts, but also helps to identify where emotions are being held and experienced in their body. This integration can help clients feel better, sooner.
Rishelle has been a Registered Social Worker (RSW) with the BC College of Social Workers since 2011. She graduated with her Masters in Social Work from the University of Waterloo. Rishelle previously provided perinatal therapy to clients in Ontario before she and her family returned to BC last year. She has offered therapy services for adults through Interior Health as well as practiced social work in medical settings for over 12 years.
Rishelle has completed training in Perinatal Mood Disorders through Perinatal Support International, and also recently completed her Level A training in Interpersonal Therapy for Perinatal Populations. Over her years of practice, she has furthered her skills by completing formal training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Pregnancy/infant loss, trauma informed practices, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.
While Rishelle is very passionate about working with perinatal clients, she also has experience supporting adults through the challenges that come at any stage of life. She has worked with adults struggling with anxiety, depression, new health diagnoses, and challenging life transitions.
Rishelle loves spending time at home with her husband, young daughter, and two shaggy dogs. She really enjoys getting outside in nature: whether on a bike, skis, or her own two feet. She dabbles in anything creative and is an avid potter, spending late evenings at her wheel.
Rishelle is accepting clients for sessions on Mondays and Thursdays. Her sessions fee is $150 per 50 minute session
Social Work