IT CAN GET BETTER — EVEN IN COVID-19
BY CHARLENE ADAM
Passion for therapy is important for family therapist Murielle Jennings. As a mature woman, she has a story that could be found in an inspirational novel.
Jennings lived in many places in Canada and abroad. Her career life is equally diverse. She has worked for the military and in administration at Queens University and the University of Winnipeg. As a lifelong learner, she became a part-time university student, obtaining not only a four-year bachelor’s degree in Conflict Resolution skills but also a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy. She has enjoyed all of her work and life experiences, but she has now found her passion as a therapist focusing on family, couples, unions and individuals — or, as she calls it, “relational therapy.”
At her Zoom University of Winnipeg retirement party, colleagues described her as a “resilient and passionate role model who continually strives to create positive change for herself and others.”
“You can do anything you want as long as you put your mind to it and work hard to achieve your goals,“ added Jennings, a Registered Marriage and Family Therapist and Certified Canadian Counsellor, “and sometimes on that journey you find your passion!”
She loves to encourage others to follow their passions as well as to push personal and social barriers, including age, gender and other “isms.”
“Clients often struggle with the stigmatism of mental health issues,” Jennings said. “This includes not seeking help for relational issues, which heightens the ongoing challenges and situation.”
While she loves all forms of therapy, she said she’s discovered “a forté for relational therapy.” Many of her couples-clients have remained together with her help. She has also assisted some couples to separate amicably.
She said she admires the couples who recognize early and attend therapy with their new relationships.
“Being both preventive and proactive with therapy can ensure a healthy,
sustainable relationship,” she added.
Learning to communicate is key.
“Relational therapy helps clients learn more effective, intimate communication tools to deepen understandings of each other as a new partner,” she said.
The goal is sustainable, strong and healthy relationships.
“Therapy can address relational hurts and provide potential tools to minimize possible future ones,” she added.
Her private practice office was reaching full-time status last March — just as the lockdowns began. Her business suffered. Jennings could have been gloomy about the prospects but instead she said, “It can get better — even in COVID.”
As one of approximately 150 Manitobans who has this specialized degree, Jennings has had to adjust and move her practice to video or telephone sessions due to COVID-19. Like all mental health practitioners, Jennings said she is already seeing an increased need for therapists now that we are past the one-year mark.
She is currently working on her next dream to create a website and blog, which will help provide some help and resources to those who could benefit. No doubt, Jennings will succeed with this goal, too.