Bona Fide Counselling ~ Trauma Therapy In Barrie

"Ever since I was young, when people asked me what I wanted to be, I would say, “Something where I help others.” Before I knew what therapy was, I knew I wanted to be someone who was there in dark times, to see people through and someone who always shows up without judgment. It is okay not to be okay all the time; most people aren’t. What makes a difference is acknowledging when you need help. During my life, I have struggled with depression and anxiety, feared what others may think of me if they knew what was going on inside my head, and exhausted trying to mask this all. What made a difference was being able to voice my feelings to others and knowing that I have developed my safety net by connecting to others, working through my thoughts, and using my lived experience as stepping stones.

The hardest step but the most impactful is reaching out for support. Take a moment to be proud of yourself for prioritizing your health and wellness. As a social worker with over ten years working within the field of mental health and addictions, it is hard to ignore the one commonality- Trauma. Whether this is uncovered yet or not, everyone has a story, and sometimes, those unprocessed memories or emotions have a way of getting stuck, which can shape the way we currently cope. My areas of expertise are mental health and addiction, self-worth, grief and loss, compassion fatigue/ care for caregivers and overall trauma.

Regardless of the modality, I will always work from a trauma-informed, anti-oppressive, and harm-reduction framework. I am dedicated to working collaboratively to support individual health and wellness by uncovering and reprocessing negative memories to build healthy and happy new ones.

Outside sessions, I enjoy spending time outdoors and up North (it is where I feel the most grounded). I love spending time with my friends and family. I am a mom of two little people and two new fur babies. I have a passion for home décor and design."

Treatment Approaches
Eye Movement Reprocessing and Desensitization (EMDR)
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Solution Focused Therapy
Motivational Interviewing
Specialties
Mood Disorders
Depression
Anxiety
Trauma
PTSD
Stress
Self-Esteem
Compassion Fatigue
Education
Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work (BSW) from Laurentian University 2013
Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW) from Dalhousie University 2022
Bachelor of Arts – Brock University 2012
Memberships
Registered Social Worker through the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers
Ontario Association of Social Workers

We have assembled a team dedicated to offering evidence-based practices and extensive training in numerous modalities. Our founder, Jessica Pino, is an EMDRIA Approved Consultant, which highlights our depth of expertise in trauma-focused care and professional development. This high level of specialization ensures you receive the highest quality of care and guidance. We specialize in EMDR, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution Focused Therapy, and many other approaches. We are here to support you in achieving your goals and building the confidence to handle life's challenges.