Jackie's Background and Professional Experience -

Jackie is a clinical supervisor and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, practicing in the State of Colorado. Originating in Kansas, she founded and passed on West Wichita Couple and Family Counseling, which continues to serve her hometown community. She is also the practice owner at Heart Space Counseling Center, where she currently serves Lakewood and the surrounding areas. She is working towards a Doctor of Philosophy in Marriage and Family Therapy degree in order to deepen her clinical skills, supervise, teach, and conduct research in the mental health field. She received her prior education in Kansas through Friends University with a Bachelor of Arts in Religion and Philosophy and a Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy. She has also completed 17 credit hours towards a doctoral degree in Counselor Education and Supervision. Jackie specializes in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of individuals, couples, and families struggling with relationship and marital distress, sexual intimacy, family conflict, trauma, parenting and child issues, and mood disorders. Jackie has additional training in Emotion Focused Couple Therapy (EFCT), premarital counseling, marriage enrichment, substance abuse counseling, the Gottman Method, nature-based therapy, sand tray therapy, and the treatment of trauma through EMDR and Internal Family Systems (IFS).

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In Jackie's own words -

"The common saying ‘It’s about the journey, not the destination” certainly has its time and place. However, if there’s anything I’ve learned over more than a decade working with the havoc wreaked by trauma and relationships in crisis, it’s that the therapeutic journey ought to lead to a destination…and quick!  When we spend years of our lives wrestling with the challenges of relationship distress, post-traumatic stress, depression, anxiety and a whole lot of unhealthy coping mechanisms, in my humble opinion, this journey need not take until we’re old and gray or our most precious relationships have fallen apart.  I can promise you that my style is not only effective, but also efficient with your valuable time and resources.

 

As a clinician, entrepreneur, supervisor, doctor-in-training, and human in relationship with my favorite humans (and doggos ;-), I have spent years honing my craft – the art and science of relationship restoration.  As an empath and trauma survivor, I use my intuition, warmth, empathy, sense of humor, and down-to-earth nature to help people feel heard, understood and validated in whatever experiences they bring to session.  As an observer and researcher of people, I bring years of graduate and doctoral studies, empirically-based treatment methods, and an ever-curious and analytical mind.  (Full disclosure - I would be lying if I told you I haven’t been called an overthinker a time or two ;-).  As a thinky little problem solver, I work with people in building self-awareness and practical application of tools for communication, conflict resolution, and self-care.

 

So what do I believe about change? I believe we can draw meaning from our suffering as a catalyst to the richness of real, deep relationships.  Honest, dedicated effort; insight and attunement into our bodies, emotions, and their messages; and courage to step into the USA (Uncomfy, Scary, & Awkward) lead to growth, healing, and the fullness of life and love. I so look forward to the opportunity to connect with you and join you in this journey to the beautiful life you deserve!