About Me
About Me
Hi. I'm Jen Olson (She/her). I am a therapist with over 20 years of experience working with people who are doing their best to cope with overwhelming situations. My focus is working with people who have experienced trauma in their lifetime, or negative relationships in childhood with parents or caregivers. Trauma and negative early childhood experiences can be related to issues with depression, anxiety, substance issues, feelings of self worth, and relationship issues. I have a Master's Degree in Social Work from Dalhousie University (2010) and a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work from the University of Calgary (2000). I am trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Theory (EMDR), which is an evidence-based, effective therapy for trauma, depression, anxiety, chronic pain and other issues. I have other training as well, including narrative and other short-terms therapies, as well as attachment-based therapies like Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT--Sue Johnson) . I regularly consult with experts in the field of EMDR, complex trauma and early childhood attachment. I'm committed to anti-oppressive work and look at life through an intersectional lens.
On a personal level, I was drawn to the north since I was young. I feel incredibly grateful to have lived in the north for the past 18 years, both in the Northwest Territories, working with the Łı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́ people, as well as the Yukon, predominantly with Kwanlin Dun First Nation. I wanted to live in the mountains because I love nature. I grew up in Saskatchewan camping and canoeing with my family. Hiking, backpacking, kayaking, and canoeing are some of the times when I feel most alive. I have three kids, some of whom have chronic conditions and are neurodivergent. Parenting, finding a balance between family, work, and myself is something that I navigate on a daily basis. For me what works is to keep life as simple as possible, while still being out in nature as much as I can.
It is my hope that through meeting together, traumatic experiences will become more neutral and not affect you in the same way. I hope you will have a better sense of who you are, what your strengths are, what your hopes are for your life, what your triggers and patterns are and what needs to be different for you. It is my commitment to work with you in a way in which you can feel seen, heard and known. I know that thinking of counselling can be scary for some people who have never met with a therapist before, or people who have had negative experiences in the past. It might take time for trust to be built. We will go at whatever speed you are comfortable with.
As my main interest is in both trauma and attachment, creating as much safety as possible in our meetings is very important. I believe one of my strengths is for you to have an experience of being accepted for who you are. I also believe that therapy doesn't have to be heavy. If you don't laugh or at least smile once during our meeting, please fire me (!).
Client Quotes
Client Quotes
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I was determined not to trust Jen but it was impossible.
Elizabeth, age 33
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Jen Olson, MSW RSW
867 334 6074
Jen Olson, MSW RSW
867 334 6074