Joelle Laferriere
She/Her

Registered Therapists/Social Worker

Credentials: RPC/RSW
Languages Spoken: French & English
Location: In person (Ottawa) & virtual across Ontario

My approach

Many individuals seek counselling for various reasons. This process can feel very overwhelming and even sometimes scary.  As a therapist, my primary goal is to help individuals overcome the challenges and obstacles that are impacting their mental health and well-being.

By using a holistic, individualized, and collaborative approach, my role is to provide a safe and supportive space for individuals to explore their thoughts and feelings, gain insight into their behaviours and patterns, develop coping strategies, and work towards making positive changes in their lives.

I strive to establish a strong and trusting relationship with everyone, individuals are more likely to feel comfortable expressing their thoughts, feelings, and experiences in a non-judgmental environment.  I believe that a strong therapeutic experience can provide a sense of validation and support, helping you feel understood and accepted.

Challenges I can support you through

Area of Expertise

Eating disorders service icon | The Balanced Practice Inc

Eating Disorders

(Anorexia, Bulimia, Binge Eating Disorder,OSFED)

Other areas of strong interest

Services I offer

  • Individualized Therapy
  • Family Therapy

The clients I love to support

Adolescents (12+), adults, families, parents/caregivers.

Modalities/frameworks I use

  • Person-Centred
  • Mindfulness-Based Therapy
  • Family Therapy
  • CBT
  • DBT
  • Narrative Therapy
  • MI

What influences my work

My work is influenced by a variety of factors that shape my approach to helping individuals navigate their mental health challenges and improve their overall well-being. My journey has a significant impact and greatly influences the work that I do. My Therapeutic approaches are guided by my belief in the inherent worth and dignity of every individual, a commitment to empathy and compassion, and a belief in the potential for growth and healing.

What I like most about working at TBP:

What I like most about working at TBP is the environment of teamwork and shared purpose. Working with individuals who are struggling with eating disorders can be emotionally challenging and having a team that is understanding, empathetic, and supportive can be incredibly comforting. I am excited for the opportunity to work with a diverse group of professionals who bring different perspectives, expertise, and skills to the table. I believe that working at TBP will be incredibly rewarding because of the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of individuals. Being a part of this collaborative team that is dedicated to helping individuals overcome their struggles with eating disorders will be incredibly fulfilling and meaningful.

As a therapist working with individuals struggling with eating disorders can be both challenging and incredibly rewarding. One of the things that excites me the most about this work is the opportunity to help clients develop a healthier relationship with food, their bodies, and themselves. Overall, the opportunity to be a part of a client’s journey towards recovery and witnessing their transformation from a place of struggle to a place of healing and self-discovery is what excites me the most about eating disorder work.

We Welcome All New Patients | The Balanced Practice Inc | Ottawa, ON

Experience

I am a highly dedicated and compassionate therapist with a strong commitment to providing person-centred therapy. I am experienced in working with individuals from diverse backgrounds, and I possess a deep understanding of the importance of tailoring treatment plans to meet each client’s unique needs. I have over 20 years of experience including roles as a therapist, clinical social worker, child protection counsellor, crisis worker, and sexual assault counsellor (among others).

More than just my work

  • One of my favourite Maya Angelou quotes is “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel”
  • Nature provides me with a significant feeling of ease. Time in nature makes me feel incredibly calm and allows me to practice mindfulness to help me stay present.
  • When I am not working, I am a hardcore Motomom.  I have two boys who race motocross competitively and we spend a significant amount of our spare time travelling around Canada and the US attending races.

We look forward to hearing from you soon!

Call The Balanced Practice at (613) 695-0306 to set up an appointment with Joelle today!