In Focus | Clair Jantzen

Meet Clair! He was born in Holland and has called Kelowna home for the last 22 years. He's a grief and loss Therapist at Third Space Mind!



Where are you from and how long have you lived in Kelowna?
It usually takes a while to answer this one. I'm kind of smattered all over the map. Born in Holland, raised in Southern Germany, graduated from High School while living in Switzerland, our latest move brought us to Kelowna 22 years ago.

Who is your favourite person to spend time with?
That's a no-brainer! It's my wife Rachel. For the simple reason that we have not exhausted the joy of being together. We can sit in silence or be busy--it's all great.

What is your favourite local store in Kelowna and why?
Bliss Bakery is top shelf! Try the raspberry roulade! It's to die for.

Describe yourself in one word.
I'm gonna make it two: driven, yet compassionate.

If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
Morocco, North Africa. I spent 3 months there in the summer of '71, in between 11th and 12th grades. It's wildly beautiful and I fell in love with the desert, its heat and the screaming hot mint tea which cools one down! True story.



What is your favourite activity in Kelowna?
We love the lake, and are fortunate to have a boat moored at Shelter Bay. In 7 minutes we're on the water, unplugged and soaking up the sun and natural beauty of this spectacular valley.

What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
That day on the diamond at age 21, when I realized that the name of the position behind home plate isn't "bat catcher" it's "back catcher!" Zowie! I can still hear them all laughing.

What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
When I finished my post-grad degree in Clinical Counselling, I was asked to stay on as an intern/supervisor. It was totally inspiring and encouraging to have my mentors believe that I had something to offer students and the program.

Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
I'd say that whenever I think of my childhood in Germany, Christmas time memories come flooding back: Weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas market), Lebkuchen (gingerbread) and real candles on the tree! I still don't know how much therapy my parents needed to get through Christmastime with 4 kids and burning candles on a live fir tree! Crazy!



Where do you volunteer or give back in the community?
Over the years, I've done quite a bit of public speaking at UBC, Okanagan College, High Schools, Business Groups and Churches. My private counselling practice is now part of Third Space Mind and Third Space Life Charity which raised funds to subsidize mental health counselling for members of the community. I also provide pro-bono sessions for a number of other charities, including Mamas for Mamas.

If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
Well, world peace, for one, but let's leave that for the Miss America Pageant contestants. It has to be more personal than that. If everyone, starting with me, could live at peace in his/her family, neighborhood and city, I'm pretty sure that would radiate and ripple around the planet!

Where would you sneak away to in Kelowna to spend some time alone?
Again, the lake is a serious draw for me and my family. To be on the water, in the middle of the lake, with the latest John Grisham novel, CCR and the Eagles on the Blue Tooth, that's a mini vacation for me.

Where would you like to see a positive change in Kelowna and why?
For me, traffic roundabouts are a real life saver. They shift the focus from traffic control to traffic flow, reduce serious accidents (you'll NEVER be broadsided at speed!) and traffic jams. And another thing...those billboards on Highway 97 as you round the corner and approach the bridge...don't get me started.

What do you think makes Kelowna great?
I'd have to say the valley is, as the Brits say, an "area of outstanding natural beauty." There's so much to experience, from the lake, the orchards and vineyards, to the hills and mountains around us--it's a daily feast for the soul.

What are 3 things on your bucket list?
1. Experiencing the Grand Canyon would be right up there near the top,
2. Owning a convertible car from the 50's (a 1954 Hudson, maybe) and
3. Revisiting the countries in which I lived while growing up and showing my family where I came from, perhaps taking in a Manchester United v. Chelsea football match at Old Trafford!

Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
While in Morocco, I was arrested, along with a group of 6 friends, during the failed military coup attempt, in a case of mistaken identity! We had been unaware of the newly established curfew! There followed soldiers with guns, us kneeling in the sand with hands on our heads, scared to death, until the one Arabic speaker among us convinced them we were harmless and that she was the daughter of the local British doctor.

How do people connect with you, personally, through social media? (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.)
FB: Clair Jantzen: Grief and Loss Therapist
IN: Clair H. Jantzen
Website: www.clairjantzen.ca

What is the name of your business/organization?
Clair Jantzen: Grief and Loss Therapist at Third Space Mind Counselling in the Landmark 2 Building.

Why did you get into/start this business?
My passion is to support people with all kinds of personal challenges, those who are suffering the loss of a loved one or working through the complexities of a marriage relationship, assisting parents with child-rearing skills, walking with people struggling with anxiety and depression. I've got a forensic mind which needs regular exercise!

What is the goal of your business?
To improve the mental health of our community by offering professional counselling services, even if someone has a challenge coming up with the fee!

What has been your biggest struggle either at work or in life?
I'd have to say that striking the right balance between my driven nature and my desire to be compassionate is something I'm always conscious of and working on.

If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
Everyone would love a do-over, wouldn't they? I'd listen more, talk less, play harder, work smarter, leave the future to itself, the past in the dust and live in the moment!

What do you always find yourself saying?
"That's history!" or "I love a good news story!"

Tell us your best piece of life advice.
That would definitely be my definition of Love: "Love is the relentless pursuit of my lover/partner, fearless of what I will discover, never using any failing as an excuse to abandon relationship!"

Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
In a global economy, that's always a tough one for me. While I love to support local shops whose ownership I know personally because of relationship, not every local shop sources locally. And, supporting countries and economies which have less than I do, is also the compassionate thing to do. Maybe a good balance is what's important here.

If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
While there are plenty of people whose brain I'd like to pick or whose heart I'd love to experience, I would keep coming back to my wife, Rachel, whose love I will never exhaust, whose support is unending, whose resilience is unflagging, whose humor keeps me laughing, whose faith is unwavering and whose joy is always inspiring.



What has been your proudest accomplishment?
Perhaps the publishing of my book, Tears in a Bottle: Stories of Life and Loss (Trafford)

Give someone you think that deserves it a shout out and explain why!
My daughter, Danielle Fell, is one of the most amazing human beings I know. Faced with chronic illness and pain, she faces each day with courage, loves her husband and son with abandon, works hard at whatever she does and creates warmth and comfort for a large and expanding group of family and friends.

My choice for the KelownaNow In Focus spotlight is:
Ezreena Draper-Scott

Some general comments I'd like to make are:
What a wonderful venue this is for our community, providing a way for us to catch a glimpse into the lives of ordinary and exceptional people whom we might otherwise never meet! Thank you.

We encourage you to leave your comments and words of support below and submit your own nomination by clicking HERE. You are also welcome to submit a form of your own by clicking HERE.

In Focus is our gift to the community. A way for us to help show our recognition of the people, businesses, and organizations that help make our city great. Thank you, Kelowna!