Meet Janet & Michaela

JHMJ Coaching & Consulting is committed to the promotion, training, and practice of evidence-informed intervention.

We are committed to the ongoing review of up-to-date research related to intervention and best practice. Our work is grounded in family-centred practice. We consistently draw from our clinical background, experiences, and trusted resources.

JHMJ is located on Vancouver Island in Canada, however, we provide training to clinicians all over the world. Much of the training we offer is online however we also enjoy working with others in person (when it is safe to do so). We offer training in the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM), parent coaching, Positive Behaviour Support (PBS), child development, and related evidence-based supports, strategies, and information for parents, family members and front-line workers.

In addition to consistently reviewing research specific to intervention, parent coaching, and best practice, we enjoy participating in research. In the Parent And Child Early coaching project (PACE) we were involved in training Early Intervention clinicians across the province of British Columbia Canada; the training was focused on parent coaching rooted in the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM).

We love working with clinicians, interventionists, support staff, and front-line workers who want to improve their skills and learn more about the ESDM, early intervention, child development, and/or addressing and preventing distressed behaviour. We also love working with families who want to support their child and learn more about child development. To learn more what we do, please, subscribe to our newsletter or contact us to say hello!

Michaela JelenMichaela Jelen

Michaela has been practicing inclusion-based intervention since 1998. She has spent her professional, educational, and research endeavours learning about, examining, and contributing to research evidence to effectively support children and youth with developmental disabilities in home, school, and community environments.

As a PhD Candidate, and with a Masters degree in Special Education and an undergraduate degree in Disability Studies, Michaela has a strong interest in supporting professionals, teachers, and parents to help children be their best through the use of developmentally appropriate evidence-informed supports. ​ As a behaviour consultant, a parent coach, a coach trainer, a certified Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) trainer and therapist, and an MCFD Registry of Autism Service Providers (RASP) Category A consultant; Michaela has much experience in the assessment, development, and implementation of developmentally appropriate plans of intervention. She always strives to assist individuals with a range of different abilities to become included in their home and school communities and develop strong social and emotional skills.

Michaela has a vast amount of experience teaching others about parent coaching, early intervention, positive behaviour support, inclusive practices in school and community environments, and supporting children with a wide range of needs. Michaela was a parent coach trainer in the Parent and Child Early (PACE) Coaching Project; a Randomized Controlled Trial conducted through the Universities of BC and Alberta from 2017-2020. This contributed to her strong interest in supporting families using a parent coaching model; Michaela is further exploring this work within her studies and brings her learnings to work with professionals, service providers, and families. Michaela is developing and piloting a parent coach training program for early intervention clinicians as her PhD dissertation work. JHMJ’s parent coach training certification is deeply grounded in the research that has informed Michaela’s doctoral work.

Michaela lives on Vancouver Island with her family. In addition to loving her work with children, families, professionals, and services providers; she enjoys playing outdoors and the natural beauty that her home community has to offer.

Janet Harder

Janet is a Speech-language Pathologist (SLP), Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA) and an MCFD Registry of Autism Service Providers (RASP) Category A consultant and SLP.  She runs a busy private practice in the Cowichan Valley, on Vancouver Island, working closely with other professionals and community organizations.  Her belief that parents are both the experts and critical lifelong advocates for their children led to her commitment to providing a family-centered and collaborative team approach to address and support the unique needs of each child and family. Parent coaching is central to her work with families.

In addition to running her business, Janet is also a parent coach trainer, a certified Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) trainer and therapist, and was a parent coach trainer in the Parent and Child Early (PACE) Coaching Project; a Randomized Controlled Trial conducted through the Universities of BC and Alberta from 2017-2020. ​

When seeking a long walk in the outdoors, Janet can be found with her husband and occasionally her adult children, at the golf course trying to improve her swing.

Rachel-Anne KayRachel-Anne Kay

Rachel-Anne has been working as an Executive Assistant since 2013. She has a wide range of experience and loves supporting JHMJs flourishing business. When she first moved to Vancouver Island, she serendipitously found work with Janet while searching for a home; a strong partnership developed which continues to this day.

Rachel-Anne provides instrumental support to JHMJ Coaching & Consulting. Michaela and Janet feel extremely grateful to have her support with much of the administrative work that goes into supporting and growing a small business.

Rachel-Anne received a college degree in Ontario and prior to moving to beautiful Vancouver Island, she worked at a not-for-profit for adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities. She has always enjoyed volunteering in various capacities with individuals that have differing abilities. She enjoys maintaining relationships with the many individuals she has supported over the years.

During her time off, Rachel-Anne enjoys exploring the beautiful hiking trails and beaches that the island has to offer with her husband and dog.