We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jennifer Jurkofsky a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Jennifer, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.
One of the most life changing risks I ever took was choosing to go back to school as a single mom with two young children while working a full-time job with the goals of ultimately starting my own private mental health practice.
After graduating with a bachelor’s in social work and a bachelor’s in biblical studies, I moved to Canada with the dream of continuing my education to get my Master’s in Social Work. However, it quickly became apparent that this was not an option for me. Time passed, and while I worked in the mental health sector, I also explored other avenues. After a difficult divorce from 2012 to 2014, I found myself working for an organization that allowed for a flexible schedule so I could be with my children. The hope of going back to school was always in the background, but how do you risk that when you have two children to care for?
In 2018, I took the plunge and applied for a Master of Counselling Psychology program. The program was online, allowing me to study and do my coursework from home, which was perfect for my situation. For the next two years, I balanced being a full-time student, full-time employee, and full-time mom.
When my practicum began, the world was still in lockdown due to the pandemic. Finding creative ways to complete my practicum hours opened a new world of possibilities, including seeing clients virtually and offering walk-and-talk sessions in nature. While I would love to say that my practicum was a breeze, it was filled with challenges. Difficult site issues and an initial lack of hours threatened to push my graduation date by a term. I took another risk and offered my services for free on my Buy-Nothing Group. I explained that I was a student looking for practicum hours and offered my services to community members at no cost. The response was incredible, and I knew from that moment on, I would have more than enough hours to graduate.
Graduating exactly 20 years after my undergraduate ceremony proved that it is never too late to follow your dreams.
But the risk did not end there. I knew that this field was one I was meant to pursue and that I needed to work for myself to make my own schedule and be present for my children. So, in April 2021, I revamped my business, My Holistic Self®, and registered it as a counselling and psychotherapy practice. Learning to market and build a private practice was a whole new adventure and a serious risk, as I quit my job to do it. And I am so glad I did! I love my business, I love my clients, and I would not want to do any other kind of work.
This journey has taught me that with determination, hard work, and a willingness to take risks, you can achieve your dreams. It wasn’t easy, but it was worth every challenge and sacrifice.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’m a passionate advocate for holistic mental health and well-being, with a journey that began with my undergraduate studies in social work. Despite the delay in continuing my education, my commitment to the mental health sector remained strong. As I expressed, overcoming numerous challenges, I successfully achieved my dream and graduated with a master’s degree exactly 20 years after earning my undergraduate degree.
In April 2021, I founded My Holistic Self® Counselling, where I specialize in helping individuals work through the shadow aspects of themselves, release limiting beliefs, embrace their gifts, and live authentically. My approach integrates various modalities, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, EMDR, and parts work therapies, blending them with spiritual practices like energy healing, tapping, human design, and dream work. This comprehensive approach helps clients navigate their mental, emotional, and spiritual landscapes.
What sets me apart is my holistic approach to mental health, which recognizes the interplay between psychological and spiritual healing by addressing the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit. I am most proud of my ability to adapt and overcome challenges, providing innovative solutions like virtual and nature-based therapy I am deeply committed to helping my clients uncover their true selves, connect with their inner wisdom, and navigate their paths with confidence and authenticity.
I am most proud of my journey and the faith I’ve had to follow my dreams. My goal is to provide a safe and supportive space for my clients to explore and transform their lives, helping them to become their most authentic selves.
I want potential clients and followers to know that I am dedicated to their growth and well-being. My practice is a place where they can find the support and guidance needed to overcome their challenges and embrace a life filled with purpose and joy.
My practice is a safe, supportive environment where clients can explore their inner worlds, work to heal from past wounds, and align themselves with a future they want to step into. The goal of my holistic approach is that every aspect of their being is acknowledged and nurtured, paving the way for transformation.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
A lesson I had to unlearn is that it’s not my job to save anyone, and there is no one right answer. Both of these realizations were beautiful moments of unfolding in my journey. Going into the helping profession, many of us align with the archetype of the wounded healer, having worked through our own traumas and feeling led to help others with theirs. I learned early on that every person’s experience is uniquely their own, and even if we have had similar experiences, they can still be worlds apart in how we experienced them.
The lesson about there being no right answer came during my practicum. As students, the desire to have the “right” thing to say, especially when being observed, was overwhelming. My professor at the time told us that there is no “right” response, but if we showed up authentically, we would find what felt right for us and for our clients. This insight was liberating, allowing me to focus on being present and authentic rather than striving for perfection.
These lessons have shaped my approach to therapy, emphasizing the importance of honouring each person’s unique journey and trusting the therapeutic process. It’s about creating a safe space where clients can explore their experiences and find their own path to healing and growth.
Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?
Other than training and knowledge, I believe the most crucial element for succeeding in the field of mental health and personal development is the ability to hold space for people. This means creating an environment where clients can show up exactly as they are, with all their trauma, wounds, patterns, conditioning, and learned responses. It involves seeing beyond these layers to recognize the beautiful, unique, and powerful person within.
Holding space requires deep empathy, patience, and an unwavering belief in the client’s potential to come home to themselves. It’s about providing a safe, non-judgmental environment where clients feel seen and heard. This allows them to explore their inner world, express their authentic selves, and embark on their healing journey. The ability to hold space is not just about listening; it’s about being fully present and witnessing the client’s experience without trying to fix or change them.
It’s about seeing the true essence of each person and holding that vision until they can see it themselves. This compassionate presence can be transformative, helping clients to reconnect with their inner strength and wisdom, and empowering them to create lasting change in their lives.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://myholisticselfcounselling.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myholisticselfcounselling/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HolisticSelfCounselling/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-jurkofsky-06942543/
- Twitter: https://www.x.com/MyHolistic
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@myholisticself
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/cL0M9a7F6XHJVPU8AJbqEQ
- Other: https://passengerconsciousness.ca/
http://therapyforlightworkers.com/ (which directs to My Holistic Self)
Image Credits
Jennifer Jurkofsky