Jac McKenna

‍Jac McKenna – Specialist Occupational Therapist (Psychological Health)

Jac McKenna is a highly experienced and passionate Specialist Occupational Therapist with a career spanning nearly four decades. Since qualifying from Salford University in 1985, Jac has remained in active clinical practice, dedicating her expertise to supporting individuals living with psychological health challenges and mental health conditions through both assessment and therapeutic interventions.

Renowned as a leader in her field, Jac has worked across a wide range of settings including acute and community mental health, community psychotherapy, forensic psychiatry, and supported living environments. Her career progression has seen her move into senior leadership roles, including Officer in Charge and Head of Service positions.

In addition to her clinical experience, Jac spent several years in higher education as a Senior Lecturer and Programme Leader at Salford University. There, she trained BSc (Hons) and MSc students in occupational therapy, as well as professionals across nursing, policing, and other allied health disciplines. She has also contributed to the field through multiple academic publications that reflect her clinical insight and research.

Jac’s therapeutic approach is rooted in collaboration, communication, and respect for the individual. She draws on a broad range of interventions including psychosocial support, counselling, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), psychotherapeutic methods, and neuro-linguistic programming (NLP). These tools are used to support clients in building resilience, coping skills, and self-management strategies that enhance occupational functioning and wellbeing.

Jac firmly believes that the service user is the expert in their own experience, and she values the privilege of the therapeutic relationship as central to successful outcomes.

‍