Meet Jill, Social Worker by Day, Brave Grand Rapids Therapist by Night

Central to our core values at Brave is a sense of comfort between patient and therapist. That’s why Brave is proud to offer a bench of therapists with a wide variety of backgrounds. Because you should feel that they are the best match for you.

Jill is an avid traveler, former college mascot, and social worker for teens. She’s also a passionate therapist that knows through her experience, that all people can do what they set their mind to with just the right amount of support.

Meet Jill. 

What are some areas that interest you within the work you do?

Seeing people find their way to doing a challenging thing that was previously seen as “no way.” 

Experiencing humanity’s resiliency, first-hand.

And young people. I’ve always been drawn to young people.

The truth is, I just like to talk with people. I’m a people person. I find that people are very resilient, even if they don’t realize it in themselves, yet. I like being able to work with them and help them realize that they can do most everything for themselves but sometimes they just need a buddy alongside them. It’s hearing people’s stories, seeing their resiliency, and helping them understand it and ways to channel or learn skills to make them feel more in control.

I also find trauma to be interesting in how it impacts the broader life experience. It changes the course of one’s existence, with early experiences in life popping up later in life regardless of whether it’s been held down for any amount of time. It impacts our relationships, our emotions, our reactions to things. I really find this fascinating.

What is the most rewarding thing about what you do?

Seeing clients become more self aware and confident in themselves, truly. When someone feels like they don’t need therapy anymore, they reach this “I got this” moment where they’ve figured it out on their own. It may still be challenging in their life but they have their control back. That? That’s the reward. 

What does self care mean to you? 

Self care is setting boundaries with work and personal life. Setting boundaries to focus on myself. Having time. 

For self care, I do a lot. I love anything outside. I really like to embroider. I like to work with my hands. I like art. I like to hang out with people. I love watching trash television, reality TV… Below Deck is a personal favorite. I like to cook. Eat good food.

What does it mean to you to be brave?

Brave is stepping into moments that might be uncomfortable - whether that’s personal or out in everyday life. Being brave isn’t just big, huge processing of life events or going skydiving, but also in little moments in life, like new foods. It’s stepping into uncomfortable spaces and saying that I’ll be okay, and I can handle whatever outcome of this moment.

What has being a counselor taught you?

This role in my life has taught me that I genuinely like people. The diversity of experience. I am given the gift of being around different people with a variety of life perspectives. 

My takeaways? It’s very normal to struggle. 

Everybody has different ways to get through it. 

Some people like therapy. Other people like to run, some like to be with friends, some want to move about to different places. 

But overall, this role has shown me that people can be resilient and they can do most things.

Tell us about your dual careers.

I am a social worker at a school, and also a therapist for Brave. 

At school, I work with adolescents on a drop-in basis to process crises, and also support community organizing. My work is more quick and also community focused. But I missed doing therapy. I’ve always worn many hats. I’ve always had multiple jobs. It’s really my comfort zone to spread my own experience across roles, so I am thrilled to be back in the seat with Brave while also supporting students through the school - because it offers me a perspective I may not have had otherwise.

If you could travel anywhere in the world where would it be and why?

My answer changes all the time because I like to travel. I’d really like to see Croatia. I’d love to see the Patagonia Mountains. I’d also love to see the Great Barrier Reef. I love to see massive, beautiful natural creations. I also love water, so I love being in coastal areas.

What is an interesting fact about you?

I was my college mascot for three years. — I went to Calvin University, here in Grand Rapids. I was Joust for three years.

What advice would you give to someone considering counseling?

This is a judgment-free zone with no pressure. It’s normal. It’s an okay thing to want to talk to someone and process things. You always have an out. You’re the boss, here. You get to choose what we talk about, you get to say if it’s working or not. You’re the driver of our engagement. At the end of the day, what do you have to lose?