Jocelyn Akwenye, Student Intern

Jocelyn Akwenye (she/her) grew up in Okanogan, WA. She received a psychology degree in

2004 and has worked for Juvenile Justice Services and group homes for abused children and

juvenile sex offenders. She is now a first-year student in the Masters of Social Work program at

UVU. Having married an immigrant from Africa, and having 4 biracial children, she has been

passionate about anti-racism education for the past few years. It’s this work that brought her

to allyship and advocacy work with the LGBTQ+ community as well.

She also has personal experience with religious trauma and faith transitions, and she understands both the pain that comes with deconstructing old belief systems and the joy and freedom that comes in building new ones. Her approach to therapy focuses on the cultural sensitivity of her clients, and seeks to create a safe and supportive atmosphere for clients to self-determine the best path forward for themselves. She is dedicated to helping clients identify their own strengths, and process healthy ways to navigate relationships (with family, friends, church or work). Her hobbies outside advocacy work include, coaching and playing a variety of sports (basketball being her favorite), hiking, reading, and journaling. She hates cooking but loves eating!

*Accepting New Clients*

Locations: Telehealth, Orem

Areas of Interest:

• Anti-racism

• Faith Transitions

• Religious Trauma

• Women’s Issues

• LGBTQ+ Families

• Community Education