Meaning Making
Why I Named My Practice "JC MindScience Counselling"
You might wonder about the story behind the name I chose for my new venture. The answer lies in something deeply important to me: creating meaning.
The Foundation: Logotherapy and Viktor Frankl
During my graduate studies, I was profoundly influenced by Viktor Frankl's logotherapy. At its core, logotherapy emphasizes helping people find personal meaning in life. This therapeutic approach focuses on the future and our remarkable ability to endure hardship and suffering through the pursuit of purpose. Frankl's wisdom became a cornerstone of how I view both healing and human resilience.
The Personal in "JC"
While "JC" represents my initials, it carries much deeper significance. These letters also honor the initials of special people in my life—individuals who have navigated mental health challenges and shown me the power of resilience.
Through witnessing these journeys, I've learned that we can grow and adapt even in the face of hardship. This doesn't negate the pain that comes with struggle; rather, it reminds me that our identity isn't defined by only our moments of difficulty. It's crucial to remember both the pain and the growth—they're inseparable parts of our human story.
The Science Behind "MindScience"
"MindScience" honors my background in science, which taught me two invaluable qualities: curiosity and a love of learning. Being a scientist shaped how I approach understanding the human mind and healing—with wonder, rigor, and an openness to discovery.
The integration of scientific thinking with therapeutic practice feels natural to me. Just as science seeks to understand and explain, therapy seeks to understand and heal. Both require patience, observation, and the courage to explore the unknown.
A Name With Purpose
JC MindScience Counselling represents the convergence of personal experience, professional training, and scientific curiosity. It's a name that honors the people who shaped me, the education that prepared me, and the belief that everyone deserves to find meaning and purpose in their lives—even in the midst of struggle.
This is more than a business name; it's a commitment to walking alongside others as they discover their own capacity for growth, resilience, and meaning-making.
Disclaimer:
This blog is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health care . If you are experiencing distress or a mental health crisis, please contact local emergency services.
Finding Your Path to Therapy: A Personal Journey
It all begins with an idea.
When we think about starting therapy, a mix of emotions may come up—excitement, nervousness, fear, or even shame. Mental health is still perceived differently from our physical health. We have come a long way in destigmatizing mental health, but there is a lot more work to do.
There is no formula that works for everyone, and finding a therapist who works for you is important. Our pain and wounds are often relational, meaning it was people or systems that hurt us, so the idea of opening up to a stranger can feel uncomfortable.
We learn to “adapt” ourselves to protect ourselves from hurt and pain, which is one reason I love Coherence Therapy. With Coherence Therapy, we work on uncovering the core painful experiences, emotional learnings, and the resulting adaptations you made.
We can learn to pause and listen to the messages of our emotions. Sometimes these “ emotional learnings” were helpful in the past, but may not serve us in our lives now.
For example, you may have been made fun of while doing a presentation on a hobby and learned that the things you enjoy do not matter. You adapted by not sharing your ideas and instead focusing only on what others need. Implicit learnings like this run in our subconscious, and therapy can help us uncover this.
When that inner critic comes up, it may be helpful to ask, "What is this trying to protect me from feeling or doing, and is this helpful right now?"
Judith Klapak
jcmindscience@outlook.com
Disclaimer:
This blog is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health care . If you are experiencing distress or a mental health crisis, please contact local emergency services.