About Jen Vishloff
My clients have described me as having a calm, kind, quiet, and confident energy. I’ve been told that I ask good and sometimes hard questions to nudge you towards the root of your struggles. I approach all things with curiosity, and tend to be pragmatic and straightforward when we’re trying to make sense of things that are often abstract and not so clear-cut. I think there’s value in seeing the humour in things, and it’s likely that at some point we’ll probably do some laughing together!
You’re always in the driver’s seat with how we spend our time
Everyone is unique, and I tailor my approach to what works best for you. I always work to balance offering a supportive and comfortable place to explore your struggles while also guiding you towards the root of your issue. I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and get in there with you, but will check in to make sure that we’re going at a speed and depth that feels right for you. I work holistically, addressing the underlying themes present in your life while also offering practical and concrete tools you can use in the day-to-day.
I believe transparency is key to you getting what you want out of counselling
Going to counselling requires us to invest time, money, and mental/emotional energy, and I think you should get what you want out of your investment. With that in mind, I like to check in with my clients and ask for feedback about how our work is going and make sure that we’re on track for you to get what you want out of counselling, and if not, make a plan to adjust course.
I love helping people unpack and shift the underlying themes in their lives that have been holding them back from accepting themselves, feeling confident managing their emotions, and having deep and meaningful relationships.
Primary Areas of Work
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I work with clients who have experienced physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, and/or neglect in childhood or in adult relationships. Trauma is the unique, individual experience of a perceived threat - meaning it’s not about what happened, but about how it impacted you. Your life may not have been in actual danger, but if it felt that way, your body and mind may have responded as though it was.
Sometimes we can’t point to one specific incident that felt especially harmful. Instead, we might carry the lingering effects of experiences that overwhelmed us at the time, without realizing how deeply they’ve affected us. This can leave us feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, disconnected and distressed in relationships, and weighed down by a sense of shame. Together, we’ll work to build skills that help you manage emotions and dissociation, so you can find relief and redirect your energy toward the parts of life that bring you joy and fulfillment.
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We all face moments of emotional overwhelm, but when these feelings become a constant in our lives, it can leave us feeling stuck. By exploring the roots of persistent anxiety or low mood and developing tools to regulate emotions, you can find the relief you’ve been seeking and feel more resilient to navigate challenging times.
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Many of us are our own harshest critics, wrestling with feelings of unworthiness and low self-esteem. When our self-worth is in doubt, pervasive shame and anxiety can make us want to hide away from the world. By understanding what triggers shame and learning new ways to engage with these emotions, we can shift from a place of self-criticism to one of self-compassion and acceptance - and maybe even one day find that you like yourself!
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Feeling stuck, sad, or alone in your relationship can be incredibly painful. When the connection with those we care about most feels out of reach, it can leave us questioning ourselves, our partner, or the future of our relationship. Whether you’re looking for individual support to manage challenges in a relationship, or hoping to attend with your partner(s) we can work together to understand where you’re getting stuck and why. Together, we’ll work toward building deeper trust, clearer communication, and a renewed sense of closeness.
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This is a safe and affirming space to talk about sex! Sexual health is an important, yet often overlooked, aspect of our overall well-being. Through a sex-positive, LGBTQ2S+ allied, kink-aware, and poly-friendly lens, we can address challenges such as low desire, sustaining arousal or erections, or avoidance of intimacy due to relationship stress or past trauma.
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While grief is a normal response to losing an attachment of any type, it doesn't mean it’s easy or straightforward. It’s normal to have a variety of conflicting emotions after a loss. Waves of big emotions can feel overwhelming and consuming making it hard to function in daily life. While grief is a process you may need to move through, you don’t have to do it alone.
Education and Training
I completed a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology from Simon Fraser University and I’m a Registered Clinical Counsellor and an Approved Clinical Supervisor with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors. I spent several years supporting a wide diversity of clients in non-profit agencies before deciding to move into private practice.
I use an integrative trauma-informed, intersectional, and sex positive approach, and I work flexibly from several approaches, including Emotion-Focused Therapy, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, Internal Family Systems, Trauma-Informed Stabilization Treatment, Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR).
I continue to receive regular clinical supervision and take further training to expand my knowledge and skillset to better help clients. As a white, cisgender, able-bodied woman a very important part of this for me is understanding and shifting the harmful underlying beliefs I have internalized living in a colonial and patriarchal society.
Outside of my work with clients I support other counsellors providing clinical supervision and supporting their growth. I also teach courses and workshops in counselling skills and mental health, and regularly facilitate for non-profit organizations including the Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine, Chimo Community Services, and Family Services of Greater Vancouver. I maintain a casual position as a counsellor at the Elizabeth Bagshaw Clinic.
Moving my body and getting out in nature is a big part of my personal wellness. When I’m not busy chasing my toddler you’ll find me hiking, cycling, and going for rainy walks with a podcast in my ears.
A designation of BC Association of Clinical Counsellors
Approaches Used
