About Jermaine

MEET JERMAINE KEMP

REGISTERED CLINICAL COUNSELLOR

The fact that you are here, means you are already courageous.

Allow me to introduce myself . . .

Hi, I’m Jermaine (he, him, his). I’m a Registered Clinical Counsellor (#9437) and approved to work with clients through First Nations Health Authority (FNHA). More notably I am someone that aims to create a desired change in peoples lives and relationships. I help my clients, which include teens, adults, and families. More specifically my work has been in the areas of anxiety, trauma, sexual abuse, relationship challenges and depression. Since 2004, I have had experience working with clients in the school systems (New York and here), community agencies, and in the hospital. Being a therapist does not give me superpowers, but I am passionate about seeing people heal and gain insight and internal power.

You can consider me a “self proclaimed” believer in the power of healing. That means that I believe you have the capacity to grow from your struggles at any point in your life. I believe that you can undo the thinking that has clouded your light. I truly believe that even in the depths of despair, with the right help, you can climb your way back into a healthy position. I also believe that we are all born good and have the ability to make a shift to see major growth from within. We all do!

The seeds planted to do this work began years ago in New York State, where I’m from. Raised by a single mom, I was the first to graduate high school and attend university. My path was not traditional and it came with many challenges, pain, and much sacrifice. From my grade 8 foods teacher, to my high school counsellor, to a Jewish family that helped raise me, to my university professor(mentor), they all kept encouraging me on my journey. The foundation of that work, was a healing of ME in the process.

I value safety, good work ethic, and freedom. My lenses are fit with a Trauma – informed approach. Through the use of CBT, mindfulness, psychoeducation, and EMDR, I may be the clinician to help you. You deserve to work through your goals in a safe, nonjudgmental environment. My goal is to help you redefine what is difficult, so that you may grow and thrive once again, personally and in your relationships. So, why not you, why not now?

Freedom

At the very core of our being is a calling to be our authentic selves, to grow our individuality. We all should be moved to a place of growth without environmental or systemic limitations.

As a BIPOC person, more specifically as an individual who has ancestral history in slavery, and whose parents lived and took part in the civil rights movement, I have always partnered with people from “marginalized” communities. As an American living in Canada, I have lived experiences through racial injustice and workplace discrimination. It is a part of my fabric, yet it does not define me.

From a young age and into my adulthood my rise into feeling freedom in many areas of my life has been a journey, filled with lessons. Freedom may look different if you are women, if you identify differently than the dominant culture, or if you are a person of color. The journey is yours, but rain falls on all houses. I am someone who may help.

Wellness

Wellness can be an adventure if you are creative and open to defining your specific wellness menu! If we are to be successful in this fast-paced and ever-changing world, wellness has to be a priority. Fueling your body for your busy day, keeping a solid workout schedule, and feeding your brain the content that will keep you present and positive, are all a part of a successful wellness menu. Just as well, we need to avoid self-destructive and self-defeating patterns. Many of us are unaware that we even have them. But we can do something about it.

My wellness menu includes hiking, diverse workout sessions, spin sessions, practicing playing the cello, lots of music, sketching, lots of reading on my kindle, mountain biking, meditating, and being open to anything new. Just recently I went on a 48 isolation retreat as part of my annual wellness adventure. That is a story for later!

Being married, and with a family of three makes it even more important to schedule all of my wellness items. If my cup of joy is depleted, I have less to give. So I have learned to prioritize fun. Wellness wins!

Choice

The villain and the hero actually start off the same in their early years. The difference between the villain and hero is that when they had a critical event in their lives, one said “the world hurt me, I am suffering it’s their fault” and the hero says, “this event happened to me, what are the best options moving forward.”

My point is that we cannot go through life without some pain and suffering. You and I both do make a choice on how we respond to the hurt, and life’s uncontrollable events. We choose! I support and guide you through those events that happen and build up the hero you aspire to grow into.

MEET JERMAINE KEMP

MY SPECIALIZATIONS