Jennifer Schweintek, MA
Clinical Counselor – Certified Healing Coach – Certified Kambo practitioner
Jennifer works with heart and soul in the service of healing. She is deeply passionate about her calling and is always there to support you when needed. With her, expertise and passion come together, which are essential on the journey to overall health. Healing is a process that does not happen overnight but requires intensive guidance and perseverance.
TO YOUR HEALING, AND BEYOND
Whether you find yourself entangled in the web of self-criticism, anxiety disorder, people-pleasing tendencies, the tumultuous waves of emotion dysregulation (feeling like emotions are either overwhelming or absent), the weight of anxious or avoidant attachment patterns (either grasping for others or pushing them away), the shadow of chronic pain, health issues, and the complexities of sugar addiction, it is essential to understand that each of these struggles has a profound context within your unique environment and life history.
Your self-criticism, people-pleasing, emotional whirlwinds, attachment patterns, and even the challenges posed by chronic health issues, attachment trauma, and sugar addiction all have roots that trace back to the experiences you’ve endured. They are not isolated or arbitrary occurrences but are intricately woven into the fabric of your life’s narrative.
Understanding this context is the first step in unraveling these struggles. It is an
acknowledgment that your reactions, coping mechanisms, and behaviors have
developed in response to your environment and past experiences. They are not signs of weakness but rather adaptive responses to life’s complexities.
In therapy and healing, we explore these intricacies with the aim of providing you with a deeper understanding of yourself. It is a journey of self-discovery that empowers you to rewrite your narrative, reshape your relationships, and cultivate new ways of being that are aligned with your true self. Your struggles, even the most challenging ones, can become stepping stones towards growth, resilience, and ultimately, a life more in harmony with your authentic self.
I see you!
There is no one better suited to comprehend your current challenge than someone who has personally navigated the intricate path of illness, suffering, trauma and self-experimentation.
Over the course of several years, Jennifer has relentlessly sought a roadmap that could lead her directly to her desired destination: achieving good health and freedom from mental and physical suffering.
Along this journey, she has tested various approaches, learned from her mistakes, consulted multiple therapists and explored different treatment possibilities, investing a substantial amount of money to ultimately arrive at her current state.
My Approach:
Individually tailored
Every individual has their own unique set of experiences, challenges, and goals, and it is important for a counselor to understand and consider these differences when working with each patient. Tailoring my approach to each patient can help me to better understand their specific needs and concerns, and to develop personalized strategies and interventions that are most likely to be effective. This approach can also help to build trust and rapport with my patients, as they feel seen and heard as individuals rather than just another client. Moreover, individually tailored counseling can also help to reduce the stigma around mental health and seeking help, as it acknowledges that each
a person’s journey is unique and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to addressing mental health concerns. By prioritizing an individually tailored approach in my counseling practice, I can help my patients to feel more empowered, supported, and motivated to work towards their personal goals and well-being.
Strengths-focused
It is important to acknowledge that every individual has their own unique set of
strengths, skills, and abilities that can be utilized to overcome challenges and achieve their goals. By focusing on an individual’s strengths, I can help clients to build self-confidence, increase their resilience, and cultivate a sense of purpose and meaning in their life. This approach can be especially beneficial for individuals who may feel stuck or overwhelmed by their weaknesses or challenges. Moreover, helping individuals to identify and leverage their strengths can also promote positive relationships and social support,which can further enhance their well-being and resilience. As a counseling professional, I emphasize a strengths-focused approach to help my clients to overcome
their challenges and lead more fulfilling lives.
Presence and Mindfulness
Present moment mindfulness involves paying attention to your current experience without judgment or distraction. By bringing mindful awareness to your present moment experience, you can become more attuned to your thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations. This can help you to uncover and connect with your deeper, often unconscious experience. In a therapy session, I may guide you to focus on your present moment experience, using techniques such as deep breathing or body scan meditation.
By staying present and receptive to your experience, you may gain new insights into your thoughts and feelings, which can help you to better understand and work through them. Overall, present moment mindfulness can be a powerful tool in therapy and in daily life, helping you to stay grounded, reduce stress, and connect with your inner wisdom.
Somatic (body) awareness
So much wisdom lives within your body—wisdom that is integral to understanding yourself being. Inour work together, I support you in bringing greater awareness to your somatic experience (sensations, feelings, impulses, etc.)through breath, movement, and internal exploration. By bringing awareness to the body, individuals can also develop a deeper understanding of their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and how they relate to their physical experiences. Somatic awareness can help individuals heal from trauma and other emotional challenges. Somatic awareness can be a powerful tool for self-
discovery, and emotional regulation.-being.
Collaborative
Collaboration is a key aspect of effective therapy. I strive to create a safe and non-judgmental space where the patient feels empowered to take an active role in their healing processes important to recognize that the patient is the expert on their own experiences and that their perspective is crucial in developing effective treatment strategies. By working collaboratively with the patient, I can gain a better understanding of their unique needs,preferences, and goals, and tailor their approach accordingly.I strive to create a sense of equality between myself and the patient. This means valuing the patient’s input, treating them with respect and empathy, and acknowledging the power dynamics that may exist in therapeutic relationships.By creating an environment where the patient feels heard, seen, and validated, I can help them feel more invested in their own healing process and more motivated to work towards their goal.
Holistic
The physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual aspects of an individual are all
interconnected and affect one another. Neglecting anyone of these aspects can lead to an incomplete understanding of the root causes of a person’s psychological struggles and result in incomplete or ineffective treatment. By taking a holistic approach, I can assess the patient’s physical health, emotional well-being, mental state, and spiritual beliefs, and consider how each of these aspects may be contributing to their condition. This allows me to provide comprehensive care that addresses all the factors that are impacting their mental health. It’s also worth noting that a holistic approach can be used
not just in treating psychological issues but also in promoting overall health and wellness. By focusing on the interconnectedness of the various aspects of our being, we can take steps to improve our physical health, emotional well-being, mental clarity, and spiritual growth.
Step 1:
The first phase involves a free 15-minute phone conversation during which you can discuss your emotional and psychological concerns. I will assess your situation and suggest the appropriate therapy. If you decide to proceed, we will discuss scheduling. Before your first meeting, I will send you intake forms to fill out or download. During our first session, we’ll spend time getting to know one another and creating goals. The focus will be on creating a safe and supportive environment.
Step 2:
The second phase involves settling on specific treatment options and creating a general plan to address your concerns. The frequency of therapy sessions will depend on factors such as your goals, the severity of your symptoms, your support system, and how quickly progress is made. You will be encouraged to explore your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and to develop new coping skills and strategies. I may use a variety of techniques such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and psychodynamic therapy etc. to help you to achieve your goals.
Step 3:
The termination phase: In this phase, we will review the progress made during therapy and discuss plans for your future. The focus is on consolidating the gains made during therapy and helping you to maintain your progress. We will also discuss ways to deal with any future challenges that may arise.
In service on the unceded Indigenous land belonging to the Coast Salish, the Musqueam, Skxwú7mesh, and Tsleil-Waututh peoples.
Thank you!