Jenna Hill

When I first learned I was Autistic, I cried with relief and shock. It made so much sense to me. However, that would not have been the case if I had been told I was autistic, say, 3 years earlier. Like many, I was uninformed about Autism and what it means to be actually autistic. It was a scary label and the harmful beliefs about it were being shared by even the most compassionate people in my life – even by those who were formally educated on the topic. Hearing these opinions hurt me a lot. Since then, it has become incredibly important to me to advocate for autistic voices. As the saying goes: “nothing about us without us”.

Using my own experiences to supplement my formal education, I work with social anxiety, LGBTQIA2+/sexuality issues, and low self-esteem. I also specialize in perfectionism & people pleasing, struggles that come from living with Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome, spiritual anxiety, and identity confusion.

I am trained to use an eclectic approach, as I believe that there is no “one size fits all” modality, and I will introduce approaches based on what the client finds works best for them. The eclectic approach that I take often draws on elements of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Emotion Focused Therapy. I am also very comfortable incorporating spiritual and/or religious beliefs into the therapeutic process.

My primary goal is to create a non-judgmental space where all aspects of life, no matter how taboo or shameful they may feel, are treated as a natural part of the human experience, and considered worthy of the same level of compassion as other aspects of life. Within my work, my main philosophy is illustrated by Maya Angelou’s quote: “when someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time”.