About Dr. Jennifer Rodrigues

Dr. Jennifer Rodrigues is a Registered Clinical Counsellor, member of the EMDR Institute and the B.C. Association of Clinical Counsellors. She is a skilled and effective therapist with over 15 years experience as well as an educator and clinical supervisor. She is a member of the International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy therapist network, the Good Therapists organization and the network of Contemplative Psychotherapists.

As an educator, Dr. Rodrigues has taught community college and graduate level university courses on counselling skills and on Cultural issues in psychology. She has been a thesis supervisor for students completing their Masters in counselling psychology and has trained counselling professionals on the integration of mindfulness based processes in their therapeutic practice.

As a therapist, Dr. Rodrigues has previously worked in a variety of settings: a mental health treatment unit, a center for abuse survivors, and a community clinic for individuals living with addiction and HIV related issues. Since 1997, Dr. Rodrigues has been counselling individuals and couples at UBC's counselling center where she also supervises counsellors doing their practicum training for their Masters degree.

Dr. Rodrigues provides counselling for depression, anxiety and stress management; for issues specific to glbqt clients and concerns; for major life transitions, chronic illnesses and more. Dr. Rodrigues incorporates mindfulness-based techniques into psychotherapeutic treatment where appropriate as documented by extensive scientific research. Mindfulness techniques have been shown to be clinically effective in treating stress and anxiety and in relapse prevention for depression. Additional benefits for clients include improvements in self-awareness, emotional regulation, enhanced empathy and a greater ability to recognize and tolerate difficult emotions without acting out on them.

Dr. Rodrigues maintains her commitment to lifelong learning and personal growth through extensive ongoing training. She has advanced training in Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Narrative therapy, and Brief therapy modalities.

In particular, she is trained to work with couples through Emotionally focused therapy (EFT), in overcoming the impact of trauma through EMDR, in emotional transformation through mindfulness and awareness practices and in coaching strategies for living intentionally.

Dr. Rodrigues has also conducted research on how the practice of Buddhist psychology impacts the therapeutic relationship. She advocates a holistic approach to counselling, and has a deep respect for the spiritual needs and aspirations of clients.

Selected Presentations

• 2008-01-23
  Lecture at the North and West Vancouver Branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association: Mindfulness practices and managing emotions.
• 2006-11-10
  4th International Multidisciplinary Conference on Spirituality and Health. Individual Presentation: Buddhism and its impact on Clinical Practice: Shambhala Buddhist Counsellors Narratives of Experience.
• 2005-06-07
  IOP. Creating Space in a Cohort Model for Collaborative Learning: Circles, Commitments and Conflict with Drs. Butterwick, Cockell, & McArthur-Blair.
• 2003-06-15
  CACUSS. Transforming Institutional Climate with Long, Rahilly, Andersen.
• 2002-06-20
  Association of Women in Psychology Conference. Affirming Diversity Caucus.

Teaching Experience

• 2006-2007
  Instructor, Justice Institute of B.C., “Mindfulness-based Counselling.”
• 2005-2007 Instructor, Counselling Skills Certificate program - Vancouver Community College.
• 2005/06/07
  Adjunct Faculty Masters in Counselling Psychology, City University of Seattle.
• 2005 Summer
  Invited Teacher, Issues in Research Methodology, Doctoral Seminar, Educational Leadership and Policy, UBC Faculty of Education.
• 2004 Spring
  Invited Teacher, Preparing Comprehensives Doctoral Seminar, EDLP, UBC.