Jen Holmes Beamer, Psychotherapist

Hi! I’m Jen, and I’m so glad you’re here.

Since 2007, I’ve devoted my professional life to the field of mental health and wellbeing. From working in a schizophrenia outpatient program in my hometown near Toronto, Canada to roles across community and inpatient mental health programs throughout Aotearoa New Zealand, I’ve witnessed first-hand how early childhood and complex trauma live within the body and nervous system. And that there is no single path to healing.

My own experiences of anxiety, panic attacks and the effects of trauma - alongside growing up with a father diagnosed with schizophrenia - have fostered a deep curiosity about human nature in all its complexity. Mind-body practices, particularly yoga, became an essential part of my own healing journey and inspired me to train as a yoga teacher, yoga therapist and trauma-sensitive yoga facilitator.

Over the past decade, I’ve developed and facilitated yoga as healing programs within community mental health programs, psychiatric units, community agencies, non-profit organisations, and ACC-funded body-based group therapy for survivors of sexual violence. I am also a psychotherapist, specialising in trauma.

Leading research in trauma healing continues to affirm that we have to invite the body into the conversation. In my work, I integrate this understanding - drawing on the latest research to gentle and safely access emotional experiences as they live in the body - so that we can move toward safety, connection and meaning.

“It was when i stopped searching for home within others and lifted the foundations of home within myself

I found there were no roots more intimate than those between a mind and body that have decided to be whole.”

~ rupi kaur 

Jen earned her Masters of Occupational Therapy and Bachelor of Kinesiology and Psychology from McMaster University, with further specialisation in psychotherapy (Canada). She holds certification as a Psychotherapist (PBANZ), yoga therapist (I-AYT) and Trauma Center Trauma Sensitive Yoga (TC-TSY) facilitator.

Jen is grounded in evidence-based and holistic methods of trauma healing including psychotherapy, EMDR and trauma-sensitive yoga on a basis of a collaborative therapeutic relationship. Within her 1-1 client work she offers a safe space for self discovery by bridging talk therapy and embodiment practices. Personalised therapeutic yoga, breathing, meditation and grounding practices are offered as opportunities to cultivate curiosity and awareness. She also offers a regular trauma-sensitive yoga group series in Nelson.

Clinical Experience

Hamilton Program for Schizophrenia (Canada)

Public Health Community Mental Health Centres including Waikato and Nelson Marlborough District Health Boards, Rural North Community Mental Health Services (New Zealand)

Wāhi Oranga unit (inpatient mental health) (New Zealand)

ACC funded support with Chronic Pain and Sensitive Claims Training for Independence (TI) programs

Persistent pain counselling, Primary Health

Extensive clinical work with those navigating anxiety, depression, chronic health conditions, persistent pain, trauma, addiction / substance use, suicide and stress.

Education & Professional Development

  • Bachelors of Kinesiology & Psychology, McMaster University (Canada), 2004

  • Master of Science, Occupational Therapy, McMaster University (Canada), 2007

  • The Conversational Model, Australia and New Zealand Association of Psychotherapy

  • Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) Level 1 & Level 2

  • Te Ara Totika / Applying Tikanga Best Practice in Healthcare, The University of Waikato

  • Certified Yoga Instructor (Ashram Yoga, Coromandel NZ) 200hr

  • Yoga therapy Training (Yoga Therapy Toronto, Toronto Canada) 800hr (2019-2021)

  • Mindfulness based stress reduction (graduate)

  • Yoga Psychology (Dr. Mohan, Svastha Yoga & Ayurveda)

  • Yoga Therapy in Pain Care (Ajna Yoga Therapy College)

  • Trauma Center Trauma-Sensitive Yoga Certification Program (300-hr)

  • Trauma resilience model (Trauma Resource Institute)

  • Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and CBT for Insomnia (CBT-I)

  • Progressive goal attainment Program Certification

Professional Memberships

  • Australia and New Zealand Association of Psychotherapists (ANZAP)

  • International Association of Yoga Therapists (I-AYT)

  • The Psychotherapists Board of Aotearoa New Zealand (PBANZ)