Jean Karki, MA

Jean Karki has BA in Fine Arts (painting and theater) from Humboldt State University, an MA in Counseling Psychology in Holistic Studies, and a Certification in Expressive Arts, both from JFKU. She has completed doctorate coursework in Expressive Arts for Social Change, Community Building, and Conflict Resolution in Switzerland at The European Graduate school; where she studied with international leaders and practitioners in the field of Expressive Arts.

Expressive Arts includes painting, sculpture, drama, storytelling, breath work, mindfulness, visualization, movement, and improvisation; to connect with clients and their families. Jean believes that supporting clients with simple tools can lead to profound change and new ways of being in the world. Each person is the expert of their own experience and Jean nurtures the client’s direction. Jean helps cultivate the innate and natural intuition that we all have, to explore the possibilities in life.

Jean’s practice is multi modal, using several person centered theories, including Team Wonder’s approach in Family Systems, Relational Dynamics, and Activity Based Support. Jean’s skills include active listening, compassion, curiosity, playfulness, and open-mindedness. With the ability to connect with diverse clients, Jean walks along side of her clients. Using invitation and gentle suggestions have proven to be a very successful direction for progress, self discovery, and healing.

Team Wonder’s holistic approach of serving the family, customizing services, and continually accessing the process with Team Wonder colleagues and supervisors, resonates with Jean’s education, skills, and experience. For over 30 years, Jean has supported many diverse peoples, settings, and ages. These include children (and families) on hospice, grief work and critical incidents for a local hospice and schools, working with adult schizophrenics, differently abled learning students, recovery clients, and still facilitates arts groups in her community.

The things that feed Jean’s soul are painting, clothing and fabric design, using recycled material to make art, visiting art museums, the ocean, hiking, swimming, yoga, reading poetry, and being connected with several kinds communities.

Here’s a favorite line from a favorite poem called “ The Summer Day” by Mary Oliver:

“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”