Jennifer MacMillan,
B.A. (Dist.), M.A. (Cand.) – Counselor
Jennifer understands what it is
like to struggle with anxiety. She personally experienced the
shame and fear that can be associated with it. From an
early age Jennifer was anxious as she experienced multiple traumas,
including abuse, her parent’s divorce, and the death of
her father. She lived as an only child of a single parent
throughout the rest of her teen years where she sought parties,
alcohol, drugs, and relationships to fill the emptiness that
remained in her heart.
As nothing filled this void, Jennifer’s anxiety increased
and her depression deepened. Although successful in a range
of other areas of her life, she secretly struggled with low self-esteem,
loneliness, and suicidal thoughts.
Having experienced therapy
before, Jennifer was reluctant to believe that coaching would
truly help her, but as she worked through the program, to her
amazement, she recovered. By
working with her coach, and by doing the things that were suggested
throughout the week, Jennifer found physical, psychological,
emotional, and spiritual healing. Jennifer lives a panic attack
and anxiety condition-free life today.
Because of Jennifer’s personal experience with anxiety
through to recovery, she is passionate about helping others.
To that end, Jennifer is in the final stages of completing
her Masters degree in Counselling. In addition, she has helped
many find healing from a wide variety of concerns including
panic attacks, generalized anxiety disorder, depression, shame,
guilt, fear, low self-esteem, spiritual concerns, loneliness,
relationship issues, physical/emotional/sexual abuse, post-traumatic
stress, perfectionism, grief, anger, eating disorders, and
concerns surrounding sexual orientation.
Jennifer holds a B.A. with Distinction majoring in Psychology
from the University of Victoria, is currently finishing her
M.A. in Counseling at Providence Theological Seminary, has
training in EMDR, and previously counseled at one of the largest
agencies in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Appointment hours: Jennifer has a wide range of appointment
opportunities for those with busy schedules. For example, she
takes appointments Monday through Friday afternoons and
evenings, as well as Saturday during the day.
Two years ago, I experienced a sudden onslaught of anxiety...much
of which had been building up over years of stress and poor
(if any) coping mechanisms to deal with it. I had every symptom
in the book, all of which fueled my fear and made life seem
unbearable. I tried numerous counselors and read countless
literature on anxiety - most of which left me hopeless and
frightened. It couldn't be anxiety, I thought...it had to
be something else. I spent hours upon hours of each day researching
potential illnesses and mental health disorders, which, in
turn, intensified my anxiety. I was certain that life would
never be the same again...
My relentless research on the
internet, however, turned out to be a blessing in disguise,
as it led me to AnxietyCentre.com. Jennifer's profile and
experience spoke to me and we started working together.
For a guy who was absolutely certain that my life would
forever be entrenched with anxiety - that I would never
be "normal" again - Jennifer gave a
gift that no "therapist" or book ever could: hope.
In her kind, genuine nature, she assured me that there was
hope - and that recovery was not only possible, but probable.
Last year, things like lightheadedness, numbness, heart palpitations,
and pervasive "what-if" fears seemed to encompass
90% of my days. Now, they are merely an afterthought. Jennifer's
knowledge and experience has assisted me in reclaiming my
life. More important, she has reminded me how great life
is - and how great it can continue to be. Are there bumps
in the road? Of course there are! That's life - and now I
know how to handle them so they are exactly what they are
meant to be - bumps!
A testimonial cannot truly capture the gratitude I have
for Jennifer and the folks at AnxietyCentre --- but I can
honestly say that the reclamation of my life probably would
not be with me today had it not been for the care and support
of Jennifer and AnxietyCentre. Thank you so much!
Graham, 28, USA
Words cannot express what anxietycentre
and my personal coach Jennifer have done for me. For three
years I was living in fear and I wasn't sure why. Normal daily activities were
becoming frustrating obstacles. I questioned my sanity
several times and at one point thought I would live like
this forvever. Thankfully, I was wrong.
This program not only gave me my life back, but it has made
me a better person. I used to be a person who would drown in
negativity and fear. Today, I can positively say that was the
old me. I will never be who I was because of all the knowledge
anxietycentre and jennifer have bestowed upon me. I now
know that having anxiety is just an overstimulation of the
body rather than thinking I have a severe mental disorder. My
first step to true recovery was realizing that there was hope! Recovery
might be a long process but it's worth the wait.
"What seems to us as bitter trials are often blessings
in disguise." - Oscar Wilde
Kate, 22, USA
I never thought I would go through a day without listening
to my heartbeat,
worrying about its rhythm, checking my pulse, or dreading another
ectopic. I
didn't quite believe that if I worked on all the things you
suggested, my
heart would really return to its normal rhythms. But it has.
Generally I have felt better in the last month than I have
done for nearly
four years, much of which is thanks to the work you have
done with me. I
cannot thank you enough for your good advice and your encouragement.
It
sounds so cheesy to say that I feel I have my life back again,
but I don't
know how else to put it.
Sarah, 44, UK
I found the anxiety centre website
two years ago and after working through it on my own for
awhile, I started to see that although the website is amazing,
I needed a bit more guidance. Finances are a big stress trigger
for me, but once I read that these coaches have all been
through what I have been through and recovered, I decided
that I could not put a price on my health and piece of mind
so I decided to try it.
I am so grateful that I made this decision because the guidace
that I received from Jennifer has proven to be invaluable.
She walked with me to get me back to a place that I feel
comfortable applying all that I have learned and now I have
my life back! She also made it very clear that she is always
there for me in the future if I ever decide I need a spiritual/emotional/mental
'tune up'! It is difficult to express gratitude with just
words to a person who helped me work my way out of some of
my hardest times, all I can say is thank you...
Melissa, 29, Canada
I suffered from true panic attacks
during graduate school and they were debilitating. Over time
I managed to get them under control for a number of years.
Recently, due to extreme stress from
some personal issues, I could feel the anxiety building and
I felt that the panic attacks were right around the corner.
I contacted the Anxiety Centre and they understood just what
I was going through. Through helpful exercises and thoughtful
counseling they helped me turn things around quickly so that
I was back in control of my life.
I am thankful for the Anxiety Centre
and the thoughtful help they were able to provide and I am
most appreciative to Jennifer who was my personal counselor
and guide.
Mike, 45, USA
I suffered from anxiety attacks while
in university and they would return during stressful or emotional
times in my life. I sought counselling, but was very unhappy
with my counsellor. It felt like the counsellor did not have
time for me and would spend half the session reviewing what
was already discussed in the last session. I became very
frustrated and stopped my counselling.
When my husband and I decided to proceed with the adoption
of our son, I continued to have this nagging feeling that
I should deal with my anxiety before taking on the challenge
of being a mother. Finally, I decided to look for a counsellor,
but I was determined to look for a Christian counsellor.
When I came across the Anxiety Center, I decided to give
it a try. I was definitely hesitant in the beginning, but
Jennifer showed so much passion and desire to help, that
I found myself beginning to relax. I really didn't know what
to expect from Anxiety Center and from Jennifer, but my husband
and I soon saw improvement. For me, the biggest comfort was
being able to talk to someone that knew exactly how I felt.
In the end, I see that I have made huge improvements and
have many tools to help manage my anxiety. I am no longer
afraid of my condition and I now realize how beneficial counselling
truly is!
Jacqueline, 26, Canada
I have been doing so much better and
have learned a lot from you. Thank
you for your help!
Beth, 29, Canada
Hi Jen,
I can't thank you enough for all of your guidance and support
these past months. After having struggled with anxiety
while in college and thinking that I had put all of that
behind me I was very distressed when it popped up again
last summer (almost 20 years later). I was so thankful
for finding anxietycentre.com and began using all of the
tools and information that was on the website and found
it to be very helpful. However, after a few months I still
felt like I wasn't dealing with the anxiety as well as
I could be and decided on personal coaching. What a blessing.....I
truly feel I was meant to find YOU and have you be the
one to help me through all of this. Your empathy and compassion
truly make the biggest difference in not feeling alone
during this struggle. You have taught me so much about
not only anxiety but about myself and the kind of person
I want to be and the life that I want to live.
Without you I would never have had the courage to finally
look at my anxiety struggles as a positive life event....one
that has made me live a much healthier lifestyle, brought
me closer to God and made me feel like I want to live every
day full of enjoyment and pleasure and all of the good things
in life. I know that the road to recovery is long.....the
road to anxiety was long also.........but I know that I will
continue on that road to recovery and even though I still
have some physical symptoms I now have the courage to accept
them for what they are and move past them. You have given
me the tools that I need to be able to live the life that
I want and for that I will be eternally grateful. You are
truly a blessing Jen.
