Jaq Kende, MSWI, Draper, UT; Unified Family Therapy

Jaq Kende, MSW (Intern)

Specialties

• Substance Abuse

• Life Transitions

• Body Image

Ages Served

• Youth

• Teens

Professional Strengths

Has life lately felt overwhelming, and you are not sure who to talk to for support? Are you struggling with navigating high school or transitioning to college? Are you feeling concerned about your relationship with drugs, alcohol, dating, body image, or sex? Have these worries made it difficult for you to engage in life in ways that feel meaningful to you?

Jaq Kende, an MSW Intern, has experience in helping teens and young adults navigate independence and tackle sensitive topics in a nonjudgemental and supportive environment. She draws on modalities including Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Mind/Body Bridging, and DBT skills to empower each client to find their own strengths, and draw upon them when facing life’s challenges.

Experience and Education

Jaq earned her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from the University of Utah and is currently completing a Master’s degree in Social Work with a focus in substance abuse treatment. She integrates evidence-based modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Motivational Interviewing, with particular strength in working with clients who experience ambivalence toward change or goal-setting. Jaq also incorporates creative and experiential interventions such as play therapy and art-based approaches.

Jaq brings over four years of experience working in residential treatment settings with adolescents, supporting teens with complex mental-health needs, emotional regulation, coping skills, and major life transitions. She has additional experience working in school-based settings with children with diverse educational needs, helping them navigate classroom challenges while supporting growth and stability at home and within family systems. Her background in nonprofit management and assistance-animal programming allows her to thoughtfully incorporate animal-assisted interventions to enhance engagement, regulation, and therapeutic connection.

Personal Invitation

“A little about me- when I am not in session, you can find me in the mountains on long hikes with my two dogs, volunteering for animal shelters, or weightlifting in the gym. I am a huge believer in whole body wellness, and the importance of investing time in hobbies. If you think we may be a good match, I would love to meet with you! We can tackle life’s struggles together.”