Hi, my name is Jan Owen. I opened Back Porch Counseling to help individuals who may be going through difficult seasons of life.
Do you feel overwhelmed by the challenges or losses you have experienced? I understand that. It was my personal experience that led me into the field of counseling. After I lost my first husband, my world turned upside down. I had no idea what my future held. And mostly, I felt so alone.
During that time in my life, the support of an empathetic and skilled counselor helped me find hope again. Due to my experiences, I feel a calling to walk with and care for individuals who are struggling with the pain life can often bring.
Why Back Porch Counseling? It is my goal to help you feel comfortable and accepted during our sessions together, just as if we were sitting on the back porch with a cup of coffee, discussing life together. I believe your story is important and I am here to listen and learn.
I have received training in bereavement and life transition counseling with Dr. Alan Wolfelt at the Center for Loss and Life Transition. I spent a year during my internship practicing at Community Grief Support in Birmingham, Alabama. Additionally, I am both trained and certified in EMDR, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, which is a heavily researched and effective therapy method that can help people recover from distressing and disturbing life experiences, including trauma (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and panic disorders. I also have twenty years of experience in ministry and am an ordained Baptist Minister. I’m comfortable with spiritual topics and welcome your questions and concerns if you desire to bring those up in session. This is totally up to you!
I hold a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Alabama in Interdisciplinary Studies with a Focus on Leadership, and a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Alabama. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Alabama and a Nationally Certified Counselor. I also hold a certificate in Grief and Death Studies from the Center for Loss.
When I am not working with clients I enjoy reading, college football, stand up paddleboarding, traveling, and spending time with my family and my sweet pup, Ruby.
I am here to listen, to provide information, to help you find your way forward to create a life of meaning and purpose. I believe there is hope for healing in spite of the tragedies we face in this lifetime.
Associations
- American Counseling Association
- Alabama Counseling Association
- Association for Death Education and Counseling
- EMDRIA