JERVAIS
DIONNE
BOOK A SESSION
I work at the intersection of counselling and somatic therapy.
I work this way because I have found it is the most effective way to help people move out of chronic survival mode, self-regulate their over-stimulated nervous system and tap into the innate wisdom of their body. This is foundational for true healing to occur.
What Clients Say:
"Jervais is incredibly intuitive and is able to shine light on why something is coming up in my life in the way it is. She has challenged my perspective so I can reframe and make peace with life's challenges. Jervais has felt like my anonymous cheerleader, rooting for me weekly and building my confidence so I can face the day with more integrity. I'm learning who I am and what is right for me, in a way I might not have done without her support. She has shared her expansive knowledge on the nervous system and how best to support it so I can live from a place of groundedness rather than overwhelm and fear."
Individual Counselling & Somatic Therapy
55 Mins
$150 CAD
Online Session
I believe that to be truly seen, heard, and accepted is one of the most healing experiences we can have. My approach is always to meet you exactly where you are — no agenda, no judgment, just presence.
We are all experts on our own lives. My intention is to create a safe, nourishing container where your own innate wisdom can come through.
My Approach
Our early sessions are spent connecting and getting to know one another. The therapeutic relationship is sacred to me, so it matters that we're a good fit — for you and for your journey. Our first couple of sessions help us discover that, and how to best work together.
We meet online via Zoom. Sessions often begin with a simple check-in — what's coming up for you right now, in this moment. You're welcome to bring anything into our time together.
Sessions with me tend to feel friendly, deep, and integrative. We often laugh. You'll share what's present — where you feel stuck, what's happening in your life, what you're carrying. I'll listen with full attention, and we'll always move at the pace that feels right for you.
I'll offer relevant, practical exercises you can start using that same day. And at the end of each session I often leave you with something small to take away — a video, a book, a podcast, an article, sometimes a meme that's equal parts silly and profound.
Why somatic therapy and what the heck does “somatic” mean?
"Somatic" simply means relating to the body. And the reason I integrate somatic therapy into my counselling work is straightforward: it gets to the heart of why you feel stuck in a way that talk therapy alone often can't.
Many people come to me after years of self-awareness work — therapy, personal development, all of it — and still find that their patterns, triggers, and behaviours haven't really shifted. That's not a failure. It's a signal that the body hasn't been part of the conversation yet.
When we've experienced trauma, the body and mind can get locked into survival loops — showing up as chronic anxiety, intrusive thoughts, relationship patterns that keep repeating, fatigue, overwhelm, and more. Somatic therapy works to complete those loops, supporting the body's natural capacity to heal, release, and regulate.
The goal isn't to feel good all the time. It's to build a flexible, resilient nervous system — one that can move through difficulty without getting stuck. Once we understand how your survival responses show up, we can build a personalized toolkit of practices that actually work for your unique system. Practices you can take into your daily life and keep using long after our work together ends.
In my experience, when the body feels safe, healing happens naturally. This work gets us out of our heads and back into our bodies — where real, lasting change actually lives.
Counselling and somatic therapy can be effective in addressing:
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Childhood trauma, or trauma as an adult
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C/PTSD
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Recovering from narcissistic, emotional, sexual or physical abuse
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Relationship issues
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People-pleasing and codependency
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Racing or intrusive thoughts
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Habitual behaviors and addictions that don’t serve you
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Anxiety, stress, fear, worry or overwhelm
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Depression, despair or feeling alone
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Shame, worthlessness, or insecurity
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Difficulty managing or expressing anger
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Grief or loss
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Fatigue or constantly feeling drained
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A major life transition
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Much more
These sessions might be for you if:
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You've never explored any type of therapy, alternative or otherwise, and need an effective place to begin.
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You've tried traditional talk therapy and find it hasn't worked the way you hoped.
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You feel as though you've "tried everything" and feel stuck or hopeless about finding relief and making changes.
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You’re interested in the neurobiology and physiology of the challenges you’re facing, as well as how these might show up in your life.
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You want to learn about your nervous system or how to become a self-healer.
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You want to take your healing journey to the next level or learn to navigate life using a body-centered approach.
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You want a safe place to share, unwind, co-regulate and ground.
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You are struggling with shame or a sense of unworthiness (or have people in your life who treat you that way) and want to increase your self-acceptance and self-esteem.
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You want to clarify your goals and be supported in reaching them.
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You want to learn how to feel more confident and clear in making decisions.
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You are tired of being tired and want to restore a sense of wellbeing and balance in your life.
What happens in a session?
Sessions are totally individualized to best meet your needs and whatever is coming up for you in that particular session. We can talk, play, experiment, express all the big feels, go deep, ground out together, laugh, do breathwork and more. We can just sit together and bathe in stillness and presence, saying very little or nothing at all. Truly, sessions can look different depending on what you actually need, but they will always be a safe, heart-centered and collaborative space in which I hope you’ll find powerful support on your journey.
What Clients Say:
"I have recommended Jervais's support to a couple of my friends. I have worked with about 10 therapists over the years and Jervais is the first person who has really had an impact on me in a profound way. This has felt different to talk therapy that can lead to over analysis or not enough guidance. I found other therapies often ignored the nuance of situations, which Jervais is so gifted at seeing. It always feels like a beautiful safe space, that she cares deeply and has a pure generosity of spirit that I am so grateful for. I love turning up to every session and always leave feeling seen, heard and held."
Frequently asked questions
Not sure where to start?
Identify Your Primary Stress Responses
Most of us were never taught that the way we react under stress isn't a personality flaw — it's a pattern. And once you can see your pattern, everything starts to make more sense.
This free self-assessment helps you identify whether you tend toward fight, flight, freeze, or fawn — so you can begin to understand how stress actually shows up in your body and your life.
It's not a diagnostic tool — just a good place to start. It takes about 10 minutes and it's completely free.
