JESSIE KUSSIN

Hi, I’m Jessie and I’m an associate at North Star Therapy.  I have over 20 years experience as a social worker working in mental health services for young people and adults of diverse identities, experiences, and backgrounds. 

I value a collaborative approach in therapy, one that centres your insights, wisdom, skills and experience.  It’s important to me that my work is rooted in discovering what meaningful change and support means to you.  I use an integrative approach that is flexible, based on what feels resonant for you.  I believe that people have incredible capacity for healing and change and it’s a privilege to witness and collaborate with people in that work. 

Though psychotherapy goals are often present-focused, I work with an understanding that the present is in relationship with both the historical and social contexts of our lives - it can be important to ensure that these possible connections have a place in our work together.  

I aim to support people in their movements towards their preferred future. This can include a combination of insight-oriented discussion, exploration of new and existing skills, connection with internal & external resource(s), and identification of values that are a priority for you as you move forward.

I know myself to be a clinician who is warm, compassionate and forthright.  I bring a genuine effort to understand your unique experience with supportive curiosity, and helpful questions.  I also value imagery and gentle humour when appropriate.  My practice is rooted in frameworks of Anti-Oppression Practice and Trauma Informed Approaches.  Sex positive & Harm reduction approaches with a value on Intersectionality and LGBTQ2SIA+ affirming practice are also importance principles in my work.

My Background:

Most recently I have been working in post-secondary mental health services, providing psychotherapy to students of the university.  For much of my career, I worked in youth mental health services and services for children and families who have witnessed and/or experienced interpersonal violence.  I also have several years’ experience working in mental health crisis services in person, by phone & virtually in both community and with hospital affiliated programs. 

Approaches:

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

• Narrative Therapy

• Brief Solution Focused Therapy

• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)

• Mindfulness and Self-compassion Focused approaches

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

• Attachment Informed 

• Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)