Jenae White

About Me as a Human…

When I am not in therapy-land, you can find me:
When I’m not in session, I love spending time outdoors—whether it’s hiking in the mountains, rock climbing, or road-tripping to new destinations. I also love exploring new restaurants, trying out different recipes in the kitchen, and cozying up with a good book. Movement is a big part of my life, and I find balance in fitness classes, yoga, and backpacking adventures.

Self Care:
I bring balance and intention to my life through yoga and yoga nidra to reset my nervous system, cooking nourishing meals to support my body, and spending time in nature to recharge. Climbing also helps me build mental resilience while having fun with my community.

For Fun:
I love discovering hidden gems in my city, checking out local art, and attending live performances—ballet, opera, and circus arts are some of my favorites. I also get a lot of joy from finding cute, unique soaps (yes, really!)—it’s a small but delightful part of my routine.

For Growth:
I’m a lifelong learner and always looking for opportunities to expand my knowledge, whether that’s through professional development in trauma-informed care, financial literacy, or personal growth challenges like improving my climbing skills. Learning from my clients’ resilience and insights is also a profound source of growth for me.

Something unique about me is:
I have a diverse professional background that spans mental health, financial literacy, fitness, yoga, and culinary nutrition. This allows me to approach therapy holistically, integrating both practical and creative strategies to support my clients.

What are your academic credentials?

I hold a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University (2023) and have completed additional coursework in behavioural psychology and career development at Athabasca University (2024). I also bring an eclectic body of knowledge and experiences from obtaining a Bachelor of Business Administration with minors in Small Business & Entrepreneurship and Marketing from Mount Royal University (2013), a Certified Holistic Nutrition Diploma from the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition (2010), and several yoga and yoga nidra certifications (2013–2018). My background reflects my belief that growth is not always a linear path.

Before I was in the mental health field, I was…

I’ve worn many hats! I’ve worked in financial advisory, yoga instruction, culinary nutrition, and fitness coaching. Before becoming a therapist, I helped plan financial literacy events and supported individuals in overcoming financial avoidance—an experience that shaped my interest in values-based decision-making. I’ve also facilitated wellness and nutrition workshops and have a deep appreciation for how different aspects of well-being are interconnected.

The most impactful thing about my experience here was:
Seeing how therapy can truly shift someone’s perspective and help them break free from limiting beliefs. I love helping clients move from feeling ‘stuck’ to living a values-aligned life.

Three things I am currently obsessed with and why:

1. Climbing – It’s the perfect mix of problem-solving, physical challenge, mindfulness, and social connection. I recently started getting coaching to improve my skills, and it’s been an exciting growth process.
2. Art & Performance – Whether it’s dance, theatre, or visual arts, I love how creative expression can be such a powerful way to process emotions and connect with others.
3. Cute Soaps – I know it’s random, but I love collecting fun and quirky soaps. Unicorns, gnomes, and hedgehogs are just a few in my collection!

The most helpful book I have read is:

Atlas of the Heart by Brené Brown
My biggest takeaway from it was:
Understanding the wide range of human emotions and how naming and identifying them can improve self-awareness and emotional regulation. One key insight was the distinction between stress (which is manageable) and overwhelm (which exceeds our ability to cope)—knowing the difference can help us respond to challenges more effectively.

The most interesting article or book I have read is:

Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
Because:
It provides a powerful perspective on resilience, meaning, and the choices we make in how we respond to suffering. One of my favorite takeaways is:
"Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom."

My favourite podcast is:

‘Ologies’ with Allie Ward
The best thing about it is:
It covers a variety of fascinating topics, including mental health, in a way that is well-researched yet lighthearted—just the right balance of depth and humour.

Specialty and Specific Interest Areas

Client Populations:
I have a special interest in working with adults (18+) because I love helping clients navigate life transitions, improve emotional regulation, and align their actions with their values.

Clinical Concerns:
I have a special interest in working with:

• Anxiety (including OCD and perfectionism)
• Trauma & PTSD
• Binge eating & body image concerns
• Emotional regulation & attachment challenges
• Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)

Non-Clinical Concerns:
I have a special interest in working with:

• Stress, burnout, and perfectionism
• Life transitions
• People-pleasing & self-esteem
• Financial trauma & wealth-related anxiety
• Values-based action and decision-making

Expertise and Additional Areas of Study

I have the following additional courses / workshops / training:

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for ADHD
• Narrative Therapy: Foundations 1 & 2
• Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)
• Crisis Training – Distress Centre Calgary
• Motivational Interviewing
• Multiple Yoga and Yoga Nidra Trainings

I have expertise and experience working with:

1. Anxiety & Depression – Using evidence-based interventions to help clients challenge unhelpful thought patterns and commit to value-driven actions that promote well-being.
2. Emotion Regulation – Helping clients develop skills for tolerating and managing intense emotions and urges.
3. Trauma & PTSD – Supporting clients in processing past trauma, building emotional resilience, and developing strategies to move forward with a greater sense of safety.
4. Perfectionism & People-Pleasing – Helping clients overcome perfectionistic thinking and people-pleasing behaviors through psychological flexibility and values-aligned decision-making.

Some of the clinical orientations, methods, and theories I integrate with ShiftGrit’s therapy protocol

Some of the clinical orientations, methods, and theories I draw from are:

1. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) – I use this approach to help clients develop psychological flexibility and take meaningful action toward their goals.
2. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) – This is great for building emotional regulation skills, increasing distress tolerance, and improving interpersonal effectiveness.
3. Mindfulness & Compassion-Based Interventions – I incorporate mindfulness techniques to help clients develop awareness, self-compassion, and emotional resilience.

People like working with me because…

I take mental health seriously, but I also bring a healthy dose of humor to the process. Therapy is about healing, growth, and change—but that doesn’t mean it has to be heavy all the time. I create a space where clients feel safe, heard, and encouraged while also ensuring sessions remain goal-oriented and effective.