Jena Hattle has a masters degree in Psychology. Jena works with individual adults and adolescents using approaches such as CBT, ACT, DBT, EFT, IFS and EMDR. Jena completed a psychology practicum with Dr. Barbera c. psych in 2022-2023. Jena has been contracting her therapeutic services to Dr. Barbera c. psych since 2023.
She is completing 6000 hours of supervised psychological services in order to register with the College of Psychologists of Ontario. She works under Dr. Barbera C. Psych’s clinical supervision (a requirement by CPBAO for registration).
Her primary area of focus includes: trauma, PTSD, stress, anxiety, depression, grief, low self-esteem, OCD, ADHD, alcohol and substance use and adjustment issues. She also has experience conducting comprehensive psychological assessments.
Getting to know Jena:
Thank you Jena for taking the time to chat. We thought it would be helpful to ask you some questions so that people can get to know you more as a therapist and even what it would be like to have you as their therapist.
Can you briefly describe your educational background and training in therapy & psychology?
I completed an Honors Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at the University of Guelph. After that, I then went on to complete a Masters of Psychology degree at Adler Graduate Professional School. At Adler, I was able to complete a certificate in trauma psychotherapy, and I also completed EMDR training. Throughout my 900 hours of practicum experience as a Graduate Intern therapist at the clinic in Hamilton ontario I was able to complete various online trainings, readings, and supervision with Dr. Barbera c. Psych and Dr. Robinson c. Psych focused on modalities such as CBT, ACT, IFS, EFT & EMDR. I have been working as a therapist in Hamilton since finishing my placement.
Can you tell me more about what made you go into psychology to become a therapist as a career?
There are many things that made me gravitate towards psychology and being a therapist as a career. Being the oldest child, with two younger siblings I was put into a supportive role from a very young age. Also, being more introverted and a good listener, I noticed that many of my friends would come to me to discuss what was going on in their lives. I remember taking my first social science class in high school and being fascinated in understanding mental health and behaviour. I knew that I loved psychology but was unsure of what career I would want to pursue. I gained experience working at a youth homeless shelter and truly enjoyed connecting one on one with the youth. From there I realized that becoming a therapist was something that I would enjoy and find fulfillment out of.
What specific therapeutic approaches or modalities are you trained in, and do you have any specialized certifications or areas of focus?
I use an integrative approach as a therapist using modalities such as CBT, ACT, IFS, DBT, and EFT. I pull aspects from each therapy modality that I think would benefit the specific therapy client that I am working with. In my masters I was able to complete a certificate in trauma psychotherapy which has allowed me to work as a therapist from a trauma-informed lens.
What qualities do you think are most important in a therapist?
I think as a therapist it is very important to be open, non-judgemental, and accepting of others, as this is very important for therapy clients to feel comfortable to open up. It is also important to be curious, as this helps to learn and explore with therapy clients as well as to keep learning more with regards to mental health research and training. I have also learned that it is important to be present and in the moment, as we must be practicing what we are trying to encourage our therapy clients to do!
How do you feel about receiving supervision, and how often do you seek supervision for your therapy cases?
I really enjoy and appreciate receiving supervision. It is very beneficial to see others perspectives on a therapy case that maybe you have not thought of before. I try to balance narrowing down therapy cases that I feel more challenged by for supervision with also trusting myself independently with the cases that I feel more confident with. I have a regular schedule that rotates through peer and individual supervision every 1-2 weeks. I also am able to seek supervision outside of this schedule throughout the week if I have more urgent inquiries.
What methods do you use to assess the needs and goals of your clients at the beginning of therapy?
I always try to make a point in the intake session to understand a therapy client’s reason for coming in and clarifying their goals for therapy. As a therapist, I will listen to the goals that the client has in mind, and also collaboratively suggest additional therapy goals if I have any in mind and seeing how those suggestions land with them. I try to stay very client-centered and follow what they want to get out of therapy.
As a therapist, how do you collaborate with clients to establish treatment goals, and how do you measure progress toward those goals?
If a therapy client has multiple goals at once, it can be helpful to break them down to focus on 1-2 at a time so they seem less overwhelming. I also try to encourage patience with progress towards these goals, as sometimes impatience can block progress. I will check in from time to time to see if the clients’ goals have changed in any way. We also monitor progress regularly through something called a CORE 10, which is a quick survey to monitor symptoms.
As a therapist, How do you prioritize self-care to prevent burnout and maintain your own emotional well-being?
Self-care is extremely important in this career to help to make you the best clinician you can be. I try to set boundaries in my therapy work by blocking off times in my week/weekend to take breaks and not be doing work on my laptop. I try to maintain a regular schedule of moving my body by going on walks, going to the gym, and doing hot yoga. I also prioritize making plans with my friends and family. I also enjoy spending time with my horse and my dog. In the winter, I enjoy going downhill skiing. Additionally, I really enjoy travelling, and find it really helpful to have those plans to look forward to. I also like just relaxing and watching crime shows or reality TV.
As a therapist, are there any particular self-care strategies or practices that you find especially effective in managing the demands of your work?
I find it really helpful to do some deep breathing or mindfulness practices before therapy sessions to help be focused and in the moment. I also find essential oils to be helpful for clearing my mind and calming me down.
What is your favourite thing about being a therapist?
I really enjoy watching clients progress towards their therapy goals. I love hearing them reflect on their progress and hard work. I feel honored that clients allow me to be part of their journey. Along the same lines, I love hearing “you are going to be proud of me, I …”
What is your least favourite thing about being a therapist?
It can be difficult when clients you develop a strong therapeutic relationship with leave therapy, as it leaves you wondering how they are and what is going on in their lives.
What do you think are some of the most important factors that determine how much someone benefits from therapy?
I think a persons support system is a major factor. It is so important to have at least a couple people in your life that you can go to for support and encouragement. I would also say that how a client treats themselves is a major factor. It is so important to be kind and to show up for yourself, especially through challenging times. Mental health challenges and therapy are not easy and being self-critical certainly does not help. I would also add that doing the work between sessions is important. There are many hours in a week outside of the therapy hour to be doing the work and implementing the skills and techniques worked on in session.
Where do you see your career as a therapist heading in the next few years?
In the next few years, I hope to be working towards registration with the College of Psychologists doing my 6,000 hours of post graduate work. Additionally, I hope to continue growing both personally and professionally, improving my work-life balance, knowledge, and self-confidence to help others.