Welcome! I’m Joe-Ann, a compassionate therapist dedicated to creating a safe, non-judgemental space for healing and growth. Whether you’re navigating anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, or life transitions, I’m here to walk alongside you. My approach is collaborative, warm, and tailored to your needs, helping you feel seen, heard, and empowered to move toward the life you want.

Background

I’m Joe-Ann, a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) and non-practising Registered Nurse with extensive experience supporting individuals with complex mental health needs. The heart of my work is relationships, the ones you have with yourself and with others. Drawing from my healthcare background, I use Emotionally Focused Therapy, CBT, DBT, and person-centred approaches to create a safe, compassionate space where you can explore, heal, and strengthen these connections.

Your therapeutic experience with me

When you begin online therapy with me, you enter a safe, welcoming space where you can be truly seen and heard. My approach combines gentle guidance with collaborative exploration tailored to your needs. We focus on healing your relationship with yourself and others. Whether working individually or in couples therapy, we address challenges like conflict, emotional injury, infidelity, disconnect, self-esteem struggles, and communication barriers. Together, we build trust, improve connection, and foster growth, all from the comfort and privacy of your home.

Areas of expertise

These represent my core areas of expertise, backed by specialized training and extensive clinical experience.

Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)

Romantic Relationships

Attachment

Separation & Divorce Support

Couples Therapy (high Conflict Couples Or Couples Where One Or Both Partners Are Experiencing PTSD Symptoms)

Career & Life Transitions

Therapeutic approaches

These are my primary therapeutic approaches, backed by specialized training and extensive clinical experience.

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)

EFT helps people understand and share their emotions in safe ways to improve connection and trust in relationships. It focuses on creating supportive emotional bonds and breaking unhelpful patterns, often used with couples and families.

EMDR

EMDR helps the brain process distressing memories so they lose their emotional charge. It uses guided eye movements or other bilateral stimulation to reduce the intensity of past experiences, helping clients feel calmer and less triggered in the present.

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy

DBT combines acceptance and change strategies to help clients manage intense emotions, improve relationships, and reduce harmful behaviours. It teaches skills in mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.

I also incorporate these evidence-based approaches when clinically appropriate:

Gottman Couples Therapy

Client-centered / Rogerian Therapy

Emotionally Focused Therapy

Client communities & cultural expertise

These are the client communities and cultural backgrounds I have specialized experience supporting.

Client populations I serve

Couples

Neurodivergent Clients

2SLGBTQIA Community

Adults

Individuals With Mental Health Challenges

Cultural expertise

Canadian

Professional credentials

Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
- No.18181

College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario

Educational background

Master od Arts Counselling Psychology

Yorkville University, Canada

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Laurentian University, Canada

Developmental Service Worker

St. Lawrence College, Canada

Specialized training

EFT, EFCT, EFIT, EFFT

ICEEFT

DBT- LEVEL 2 ACCREDIATION

APT

EMDR

EMDRIA

Practice locations & services

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FAQ

Did you know?

I love fall, the crisp air, the golden leaves, and the simple joy of curling up in a warm sweater with a good book.

Canoeing is my reset button, just me, the water, and the quiet that clears my mind

There’s something about a bonfire with family and friends, the warmth, good conversation, and the way it makes the world slow down.

Joe-Ann Watkins