Dragonfly Counselling & Wellness

Jenny Jonker, MSW, RSW

Clinical Director and Owner

Individuals Adults

Trauma-informed therapy for adults carrying grief, loss, big transitions, and the things that are hard to say out loud.

Jenny came to Canada from Nicaragua as a refugee, and her own experiences of trauma and displacement shape how she approaches this work.

She believes therapy works best when people can show up as themselves — therapist included — so authenticity and genuine connection sit at the centre of her practice.

With over 17 years of experience, Jenny's career has included school social work, child welfare, sexual abuse support, immigrant and refugee settlement services, and private practice specializing in complex trauma. She draws from CBT, DBT, ACT and EMDR, adapting the work to what each person needs.

She also has many years of experience working alongside Indigenous clients, families, and communities, including within Six Nations of the Grand River, supporting intergenerational and complex trauma. She teaches at Wilfrid Laurier University.

Book with Jenny

Areas of focus Complex trauma, grief and loss, life transitions

I work with Adults, individual sessions

Format In-person in Brantford and virtual

Approaches CBT, DBT, ACT, EMDR

Coverage Insurance, NIHB

In My Words

Wondering What Therapy With Me Is Like?

What It's Like to Work with Me

I'd describe my approach as eclectic. I meet you where you are and try to be natural and easygoing with you. Rather than asking you to fit into one predetermined method, I adapt the work to your experiences, your needs and where you want to go.

What to Expect in Your First Few Sessions

I don't expect you to open up like a book or tell me your deepest, darkest secrets when we first meet. It's a bit like speed dating — you tell me about you, I'll tell you about me, and we'll figure out whether this feels like a good fit.

If you're nervous, that's okay. I crack jokes, I'm myself, and we take things at your pace. Fit matters on both sides. If I'm not the right therapist for you, we'll help you find someone at Dragonfly who is.

I promise to be that person whenever it is that you need support or somebody to sit in discomfort with you.

Jenny JonkerMSW, RSW

How I Work

Therapy That Fits You, Not the Other Way Around

I don't believe one approach fits everyone. I draw from CBT, DBT, ACT and EMDR depending on what you're carrying, what you need and where you are in the work.

Some sessions may be structured trauma work; others may be slower and more conversational. You set the pace, and I'll be honest with you about what I think may help.

My Therapeutic Modalities

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy CBT

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy DBT

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy ACT

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing EMDR

How That Shows Up in Our Sessions

Trauma-informed

Authenticity

Culturally responsive

Community-informed

Client-led

Who You’d Be Sitting With

A Little More About Me

I’m a wife, mom to two amazing kiddos, and a proud dog mom. Travelling has always been one of my greatest passions. I love experiencing new cultures, exploring new places, and finding my next adventure.

I’m a little spontaneous and definitely a bit of a wild card. I’ve climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, lived in Kenya, and most recently travelled across the world just to see Bad Bunny in concert.

“I put my heart and soul into the people I love and the people I serve.”

Jenny

An Invitation from Jenny

Come As You Are. We’ll Start There.

Therapy doesn't have to begin with telling me the hardest thing that's ever happened to you.

Sometimes healing means doing deeper trauma work. Sometimes it's having a sounding board, and sometimes it's finally having someone say, “That makes sense.”

We can figure out what you need together. You don't have to know where we're going before you walk through the door.

Sometimes walking through that door is the first step in the right direction.

Book with Me