Hi, I’m Jess

A young woman with long wavy blonde hair smiling while holding a black and tan dachshund puppy indoors in front of a white windowsill with potted plants.

BA, BSW, MSW, RSW

Hi! I’m Jess (she/her), and I believe therapy should be rooted in authenticity, empathy, and real connection. My approach is warm and collaborative, with conversations that feel grounded and human.

Beyond the office, I’m someone who feels most like myself outside, preferably with a furry pal and a bit of sunshine. I have a soft spot for antique shops, live music, and any kind of animal.

I’m a Registered Social Worker and Psychotherapist with a Master of Social Work and Bachelor of Social Work from Lakehead University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Global Development from Queen’s University.

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Living room with a beige velvet armchair, a decorative pillow, and several green potted plants.

MY approach

I’m a person-centred therapist with an eclectic approach. I like to gather my favourite tools from a variety of modalities and use them in ways that are tailored to fit you.

At the heart of my work is the relationship we build. It’s a place to slow things down, notice what’s showing up, and approach it with curiosity. I’m known to use metaphors (often) and humour (sometimes dark), not to avoid the hard parts, but to stay with them.

Our conversations may include problem-solving, processing difficult emotional experiences, or exploring the thoughts, feelings, and patterns that shape your daily life.

I work from a trauma-informed and anti-oppressive perspective, and I’m committed to creating a space that feels non-judgmental, compassionate, and genuinely human. My practice is based in Barrie, Ontario, where I offer in-person therapy in a warm, living-room style space, alongside virtual sessions across Ontario.

My Specialties

I support adults across Ontario through a wide range of life’s challenges.

I have a special interest in working with persons navigating chronic pain or illness, cancer, anxiety, trauma (including first responders) and the lingering impact of emotional abuse.

My other areas of focus include depression, trauma, grief, stress, overwhelm, and difficult life transitions.

Living room with a brown couch decorated with yellow, gray, and white pillows. A white cabinet with a sliding door is in the background, topped with a row of books, a hanging green plant, and a black speaker. Part of a full-length mirror and a radiator are also visible.

Chronic Pain & Illness

Living with chronic pain or illness can affect far more than physical health. I work with individuals navigating the emotional impact of long-term health concerns, making space for grief, frustration, and uncertainty while supporting practical ways to cope, adapt, and feel more like themselves again.

Cancer

Cancer affects every part of life, not just the body. I support individuals at all stages of the cancer experience, from diagnosis through treatment and beyond. Our work focuses on processing what’s happening, managing uncertainty, and finding ways to feel more anchored as things shift.

A wooden desk with a metal tray holding a brown glass vase with a bouquet of dried flowers, a pair of sunglasses, and a lighter. In the background, a table lamp with a yellow shade, a computer monitor, keyboard, and notebook are visible.

Anxiety

Anxiety doesn’t always show up as panic. It can look like constant mental noise, perfectionism, or feeling responsible for keeping everything running smoothly. I work with people who carry a lot internally, helping untangle these patterns, lighten the mental load, and develop practical ways to change their relationship with anxiety.

Trauma

Trauma can continue to shape how you think, feel, and respond long after an event has passed. I work with individuals processing trauma in a paced, collaborative way. I have a particular interest in supporting first responders, including the cumulative impact of high-stress roles and repeated exposure over time.

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My work is rooted in relational therapy and supported by:

  • Parts work

  • Narrative therapy

  • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

  • Strength-based interventions

  • Solution-oriented interventions

  • Mindfulness-based interventions

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a little about me…

A woman holding a small black and tan Dachshund puppy outdoors with mountains and a clear blue sky in the background.

My life revolves around my dachshund, Lola. She’s the alpha and we all know it.

A collection of colorful children's toys including a pink foam donut, a pink bear-shaped soap, a yellow balloon animal, a plush ball with a smiley face, a large orange foam sphere, a turquoise soap with embossed text, various textured balls, Winnie the Pooh-shaped soap, and rainbow-colored rings.

I am deeply proud of the fidget toy collection in my office. Needohs are my favourite.

Sunlit indoor garden or greenhouse with numerous potted plants, hanging plants, and string lights inside a room with white wooden panel walls and a glass ceiling.

I got very into houseplants during the pandemic, and it stuck. I have no regrets.

A large brindle mastiff dog lying on grass, gently hugging a small black and brown puppy with long ears, in a residential yard with a house, cars, and trees in the background.

If dogs are involved…

I’m in.

Clear acrylic bookshelf with three shelves containing various books and decorative items, placed next to a brown sofa with beige cushions in a living room.

Publications

Equine-assisted therapy programs on the ground versus programs in the saddle: How do you choose?

Ward, J., Hovey, A., & Brownlee, K. (2025). Equine-assisted therapy programs on the ground versus programs in the saddle: How do you choose? In Y. Neria, P.W. Fisher & A.J. Hamilton (Eds.), Guide to equine assisted therapy (pp. 53-74). Springer Nature. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-74426-6

View Book

Mental health benefits of mounted equine-assisted therapies: A scoping review.

Ward, J., Hovey, A., & Brownlee, K. (2022). Mental health benefits of mounted equine-assisted therapies: A scoping review. Health & Social Care in the Community, 30(6), e4920–e4935. https://doi.org/10.1111/hsc.13904

View Article

Therapy doesn’t have to start with certainty.

If you’re curious about working together, reach out. We can take it from there.

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