About Me
For over 35 years, I’ve walked alongside individuals, couples, and groups on their journeys toward healing, clarity, and deeper meaning. I feel honored to work in a field that continually invites me to grow, stretch, and deepen both personally and professionally – guided by my incredible teachers, colleagues, and the courageous clients I serve.
My formal training is in family systems, with a Master’s in Counseling Psychology from Pepperdine University. Soon after earning my degree, I moved to New York City, where I opened my private practice and volunteered at the Manhattan Center for Living, facilitating weekly groups for women living with life-challenging illnesses.
Those early experiences shaped my commitment to integrating mind and body in the healing process. I later became a behavioral health counselor, lecturer, and workshop presenter at Canyon Ranch in the Berkshires, working with people from all walks of life seeking renewal and well-being.
After moving to Washington State, I continued weaving mind/body wellness into my private practice and teaching workshops at places such as the UW Women’s Center, Cancer Care Alliance, and Cancer Lifeline.
Over the past two decades, I’ve made San Juan Island my home, where I continue to offer individual and couples counseling. I’ve also had the privilege of creating workshops for women in Seattle, Denver, the Bay Area, and San Juan Island, blending expressive arts, mindfulness, guided visualization, collage, and equine-assisted therapy.
In recent years, my practice has expanded primarily online, allowing me to work with individuals and couples across the country and around the world. Whether meeting in person or via telehealth, my focus remains the same: to help you reconnect with your inner wisdom, build resilience, and create meaningful change.
I am licensed as an LMHC in Washington and an LPC in Colorado. I am also a registered hypnotherapist and have advanced training in EMDR, EAGALA (equine-assisted therapy), and Narrative Coaching.
Outside of my work, you’ll find me walking the coastal trails with my smiley dog, listening to inspiring podcasts, tending my garden, or cooking nourishing meals with my family.
Testimonials
Jillian is a fantastic counselor. She's a keen listener who promotes self-acceptance, self-love and compassion. Jillian helped me more than I ever could have imagined. I knew therapy could be powerful, but even I was surprised with the amazing strides and tangible results after working together!
B.R. – Washington
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Jillian is simply amazing. She listens, she encourages, and she quite simply, turned my life around.
T.I. – France
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Jillian came into my life at a time when I was ready to make real changes in how I managed my depression. After decades of struggling with my mental health, I needed support that was both compassionate and practical—and that’s exactly what Jillian provided. She helped me recognize the physical and emotional triggers that often precede my depressive episodes and gave me effective tools to manage and shorten their impact. Just as importantly, she taught me how to treat myself with kindness and compassion—something I had never truly known how to do. Thanks to Jillian, I’m continuously learning more about myself, and that growth is allowing me to mature into the person I want to be.
Dawn – Seattle
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Having Jillian as a counsellor has truly been a tremendous help for me. She is very kind, warm and empathetic, and really makes one feel seen. My sessions with her have been a very safe place where I have felt comfortable to share everything important, she listens deeply and encourages when needed. Jillian has a lot of knowledge in her field and is extremely qualified to do what she does.
S.I. – Denmark
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Jillian is just an incredible person and therapist, and that shows in her work. Jillian asks thoughtful, smart questions and allows silence and space for her clients to think and get their thoughts out. Her warm welcoming presence lets clients know they are heard and cared for. Jillian shares practical resources (worksheets, books, etc.) and practices (butterfly hug) that support clients outside of session appointments. She has said before that she does this work because of purpose and that shows.
M.S. – Seattle
Jillian has a wealth of expertise and knowledge which she can adapt to support any situation. Her kind and professional support has been invaluable to me over the past year and she has facilitated some profound insights through our work together. I would wholeheartedly recommend Jillian; she is the most qualified and helpful counsellor I have ever worked with.
H.A. – United Kingdom
When I found Jillian I was in the midst of a major life crisis; I was 7 months pregnant and my husband had just left me to be with someone else. I was seeking a compassionate, experienced counselor to help me cope with the initial pain, anger and anxiety. Also, I chose Jillian because on her website she says, "I'm a big believer in seeing life challenges, especially the most painful ones, as a catalyst for self-discovery, personal growth and positive change." This resonated with me. I knew that I wanted my experience to be an opportunity for personal growth. I am incredibly grateful that Jillian indeed helped me grieve and work through the challenges of divorce and early motherhood, learn about myself and transform my life in a positive way. She offered practical, specific tools to incorporate into my daily routine. She helped me to reconnect with myself and clarify/move towards my life goals. She offered constructive advice for interacting with my ex-husband and maintaining boundaries. Through working with her I was able to care for myself so that I could be a mindful, present mama and really soak in the precious moments with my newborn daughter. My sessions with Jillian made a huge difference as I navigated this time in my life. I could not recommend her more highly.
J.B. – Colorado
Contact Information
Thank you for taking the time to visit my website and explore my offerings. If you feel drawn to work together, I invite you to reach out.
Whether you’re seeking support for a specific challenge, longing to reconnect with your wise inner knowing, or simply curious about how counseling or hypnotherapy might support you, I would be honored to walk alongside you on your journey.
I offer online sessions via Zoom and am based in the Pacific Time zone.
Please feel free to contact me to schedule a session, ask any questions, or explore how we might work together.
I look forward to connecting with you.
Warmly,
Jillian Hopkins M.A.