About
Jessica Cole & Aspen Winds
The idea behind Aspen Winds Counselling & Adventure Therapy came from a deep connection I have to the wind and to nature and the desire to use counselling as a way to bring the feeling of connection back to those that feel like they have lost it with others, with themselves, with their career, or with their sense of purpose.
An aspen forest is a single organism, each small tree intimately connected to the next through an intricate root system below the earth. A single aspen tree may die but its roots system may live on continuing to send out new aspen trees above the surface. The Aspen root system can survive thousands of years and because of this, aspen forests often indicate the presence of an ancient woodland.
The wind is unseen but forever present, bringing calm or storm. Can we weather what the wind brings?
If we are able to find and maintain connection to ourselves and other meaningful aspects of our lives, just like the Aspen forest we can survive the changes of the wind and whatever it brings. This is the intention of counselling at Aspen Winds, finding ways to reconnect and stay connected to ourselves and what we find meaningful no matter what life throws us. This may look like reducing and eliminating anxiety in relationships or at work, addressing feelings of loneliness, hopelessness and depression or resolving trauma from a car accident, childhood or domestic abuse or finding your way back to a meaningful career. Here at Aspen Winds my aim is to walk along side you in this process, helping you to reflect on your own unique story and ways to shift or change it in a way that make you feel connected, alive and able to weather whatever comes your way. I do this through empathic listening, compassionate reflection and through evidence-based therapeutic modalities. I specialize in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, somatic-based approaches, trauma-informed approaches and the strength-based approach in adventure therapy. I also adapt according to the unique individual that sits before me and offer a client-centred approach that prioritizes the unique methods and approaches that prove useful for the unique individual that sits before me.
Credentials
Jessica Cole is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) with the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC) and owner of Aspen Winds Counselling. Jessica holds a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology from the University of Victoria, an Honours Bachelor of Arts with a Specialist in English and a Religious Studies Minor from the University of Toronto and obtained the equivalent to a second major in Counselling Psychology through her continuing studies at York University and the University of Victoria. In addition to this Jessica has significant training in somatic therapy methods obtained through her Masters Degree and her training in Relational Somatic Therapy. Jessica has extensive work experience in the field of gender-based violence and relational trauma and abuse from 7yrs working as a STV (Stopping the Violence) Counsellor a program funded by the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General in social services agency in the Nelson community.
Jessica has been working with children, youth and adults in the fields of social service, education and recreation for over 20 years and looks forward to bringing this diverse experience into her work with Aspen Winds Counselling.
Education
(8 months or more)
Relational Somatic Therapy 200hrs
Opening to Grace
Masters in Counselling Psychology
University of Victoria
Continuing Studies - Psychology/Counselling Psychology
University of Victoria
York University
Honours Bachelor of Arts - English & Religion
The University of Toronto
Trainings & Workshops
(8months or less)
Integrative Somatic Therapy Practice Level 1
Integrative Somatic Studies Institute Inc.
Relational Somatic Study & Play
Opening to Grace
The Mandt System
Family Systems Constellation Workshop
with Joni Marguerite
Responding to Adult Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse and Adult Sexual Assault
EVA BC Annual Conference
Uniting Neuroscience, Meditation, and Transformative Technology with Muse: The Brain Sensing Headband
EVA BC Annual Conference
Integrated Case Management (ICM)
Interior Health
Yoga Outreach: Using Yoga in Your Work (ROWY)
Interagency Case Assessment Team (ICAT)
Interior Health
Janina Fisher: Working with the Neurobiology of Trauma
with Janina Fisher
Ross Laird: Trauma & Addiction
FASD Awareness Training
Shambhala Training Level 2
Victoria Shambhala Meditation Centre
Who am I? The Basic Goodness of Being Human
Victoria Shambhala Meditation Centre
Shambhala Training Level 1
Victoria Shambhala Meditation Centre
Group Facilitation
Women's Healing Journey for Self-Identified Women
Building Rewarding Relationships for Self-Identified Men
Mindful Parenting
Board & Committee Positions
British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors
Member
Kootenay Lake Sailing Association
Commodore & Race Captain
Violence Against Women in Relationships
Committee Member
Ending Violence Association of BC
Member
