Alongside Trauma

Learning how to walk alongside, rather than against your trauma.Childhood and Adult Trauma, 2SLGTBQIA, bi-affirming, ADHD, Autism, Non-monogamy, Kink and Sexuality, Attachment Theory, Borderline Personality Disorder, Polyvagal Theory, Religious Trauma, Eco/Social/Political anxiety through an Anti-Capitalist lens

About Jessi

TRAUMA FOCUSED VIRTUAL THERAPY - ONTARIO WIDE
My therapeutic style combines talk therapy, exposure therapy, Attachment Theory and Parts Work Theory (also known as Internal Family Systems Theory) to create unique and individualized approaches for each folk I work with. I also provide education on how trauma impacts our nervous system, brain development and the way we connect to ourselves and others. I do not believe in "healing" trauma. Rather, I believe that the more we understand our trauma, its impact on our lives becomes less frequent, less time consuming and less intense. I prioritize working with queer folks, neurodivergent folks (ADHD and Autism) and those who have histories of religious/cult trauma.We cannot erase our trauma. We can learn to walk alongside it.I am queer-identified, non-monogamy/poly and kink aware. I work from an anti-capitalist value system. I strive to offer an open-minded, comfortable, safe(r) space to process traumas.APPOINTMENT RATES
50-minute intake and subsequent therapy 50-minute appointments: $140
30-minute check in appointments: $95
65-minute couples therapy appointments: $170I am a registered Social Worker with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, meaning my services are covered by most private health care insurance plans.

Contact

Contact me to schedule a free 15-minute meet and greet where we can connect and see if working together feels like a good fit for both of us!You can also sign-up for e-mail updates on Alongside Trauma and Jessi Joan writing here

Book an Appointment

Note: If you are a potential new client, please schedule a FREE 15-Minute Meet and Greet before scheduling a therapy session appointment. Appointments booked without a meet and greet will be canceled. Meet and greets are mandatory to ensure good therapeutic fit.

Writing

I have self-published several books discussing mental health, trauma and sexuality. I also writes queer smut as an act of reclamation and rebellion against religious and anti-LGTBQ organizations. I share my writing in hopes of providing a sense of validation for other survivors with similar histories to my own.Follow me on Patreon for a large archive of my writing. You can also find hard copies of my writing for sale here, as well as, my official published works below.

Publications

  • Out Proud: Stories of Pride, Courage and Social Justice. Breakwater Books, 2014: Produced in partnership with Egale Canada Human Rights Trust, Out Proud: Stories of Pride, Courage, and Social Justice is the second in a series of essay anthologies designed to give attention to issues that are sometimes ignored in the mainstream media—and a voice to those most closely affected by them. Expertly edited by sociologist Dr. Douglas Gosse, Out Proud features more than fifty short essays on the experience of LGBTTIQQ2SA (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual, Transgendered, Intersexual, Queer, Questioning, 2-Spirited and Allies) and written by members of our diverse, Canadian community. Following the critical success of the first book in the series, Out Loud: Essays on Mental Illness, Stigma and Recovery, Out Proud aims to broaden the conversation around sexuality and social justice.

  • Pretty Little Playthings: Queer, Kinky Stories. Microcosm Publishing, 2023: Get lost in stories of ties and whips, bite marks and bruises, a primal chase, femme bottom desire for their butch tops, and delicious acts of queer rebellion. This kinky compilation of femme/enby/butch flash fiction, featuring lots of dom/sub encounters, celebrates the liberating power of BDSM and the whole spectrum of femme bisexual ecstasy. Some of these stories may push boundaries, so choose your safe word before partaking in their pleasures.

  • The Best Bi Erotica of the Year: Volume 1: The Best Bi Erotica of the year: Volume 1, presents fifteen exclusive stories by some of the most talented writers of erotic fiction today. Edited and with an introduction by Christian Pan, each story in this collection explores bisexuality in new and arousing ways, expanding upon and even challenging how bisexual people are represented in literature. Centering bi characters in each of these narratives, this anthology features intimate encounters with one or more individuals with multiple genders and identities, with narratives set in and out of the home, in the city or in the country, in genres ranging from contemporary to science fiction. Some stories even experiment with other forms of writing, from poetry, political tract, and letters–but every story in The Best Bi Erotica of the Year, Volume 1, is personal, sensual, and unbelievably hot.

Advocacy & Social Justice

Awards and Advocacy2010 – Ontario Youth Matter Certificate of Public Service
2011 – KYAC Award – Social Justice and Action
2011 – Top 40 Under 40
2012 – RYLA Youth Leadership Award
2012 – Youth Leaving Care Working Board
2013 – Leading Women’s Award
2013 – Family and Children Services of Guelph and Wellington Award of Merit in Recognition of Improving the Lives of Youth in and Leaving Care
2013 - ORCA Conference speaker
2013 – The Canadian Coalition for the Rights of Children, The Children’s Rights Trailblazer Award
2014 – The Amethyst Award for Outstanding Achievement by Ontario Public Sector
2014 – LGTBQ Youth in Care Working BoardSpeaking Events2009: Family and Children Services of Waterloo Region Believe it Achieve it Speaker
2010: Family and Children Services of Waterloo Region ONLAC Peer Mentor speech
2010: Ontario Youth Matter speech
2010: Family and Children Services of Waterloo Region Breakfast of Champions speech.
2011: Speaking event at St. Andrews Church thanking for the use of Roy Street agency building.
2011: Family and Children Services of Waterloo Region Believe it Achieve it speech on being a kid from foster care and following your dreams.
2011: Waterloo Regional School Board speech on supporting kids from the foster care system in school.
2012: Catholic Secondary School Board speech on supporting youth from foster care
2014: WAYVE Youth Conference
2015: Family and Children Services of Waterloo Region Foundation speech
2016: University of Waterloo Town and Gown Event
2016: University of Waterloo Social Development Studies Recruitment speechNews Reports2012: The Record: Crown wards voice fears over losing support too soon:
2013: Provincial Advocates Office: Blueprint for Fundamental Change to Ontario’s Child Welfare System
2012: Rogers TV Talk Local: Youth Leaving Care
2017: News Article : Saving our kids - child care reform puts safety first:Environmental Advocacy2018: The Community Edition: How to Cut on Waste Without Cutting the BankQueer Advocacy2010: Kitchener - Waterloo Kiss in protest
2013: Tri Pride OUTstanding Youth Award
2013: CBC News: High proportion of LGBTQ youth among homeless, say researchers
2014: Kitchener City Hall Rainbow Flag Advocacy
2015: Parkminister Church speaking event on queer youthOther2012: Youth Leaving Care YouTube Video
2014: Next Gen Rogers TV interview on Youth Homelessness in Waterloo Region
2015/16: Family and Children Services Waterloo Region Board of DirectorsProtest Support and ActivismApril 10, 2010 – Kitchener-Waterloo Kiss in
April 7, 2017 – Queens Park Education protest
June 3, 2020 – Black Lives Matter protest Kitchener-Waterloo
September 2023 - FIGHT BACK/Queer Youth Defense Protect Queer Youth Counter ProtestPublications2014 - Out Proud, Stories of Courage, Pride and Social Justice.
2015 – The Provincial Advocate: The Bus Ride Home
2017 – FIVE 14 Event – Walking Alongside my Trauma