Jessica A. Hughes, RP

Online Therapy

About Me

I’m a trauma therapist who works with adults carrying the invisible wounds of complex childhood trauma, also called complex PTSD. These often involve early environments that were neglectful, intrusive, or emotionally misattuned. These histories often echo in the present as anxiety, depression, people-pleasing, low self-worth, or relationships that leave one feeling unseen or depleted. Many of the people I work with sense something is “wrong” with them but can’t explain why. Together, we explore how those internal narratives were shaped, and how they can be softened, re-understood, and ultimately transformed. I draw from contemporary psychodynamic theory, Internal Family Systems (IFS)-informed parts work, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR), and trauma-informed somatic modalities. This is not just “talk therapy”, we engage both mind and body, attending to the emotional and physiological traces of your history as they show up in the present. At the core of my work is a commitment to helping you understand your emotions not as problems, but as meaningful signals, traces of unmet need, memory, and adaptive wisdom. We will explore your internal world with compassion and curiosity, helping you reconnect with disowned parts of self and move toward greater clarity, integration, and freedom.

Education & Experience

I have a Master's degree in Counselling Psychology from the University of Toronto. I also completed my PhD in Psychology at the University of Toronto with a focus on the neuroscience of emotion. I have completed EMDR therapy basic training as well as advanced EMDR therapy trainings on complex trauma and dissociation as well as grief and loss.

Professional & Volunteer Affiliations

I am a member of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association, EMDR Canada, and EMDRIA.

Specialty Area

  • Abuse/Neglect
  • Anxiety/Panic Attacks
  • Attachment Disorders
  • Birth Trauma/Pregnancy Loss
  • Chronic Illness/Medical Issues
  • Dissociative Disorders
  • Family Issues
  • Grief/Loss/Mourning
  • Marriage/Relationship Issues
  • Phobias
  • Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Somatic Issues
  • Survivor's Guilt
  • Traumatic Incident

Population Served

  • Adults
  • Couples
  • First Responders
  • Veterans/Military

Language

  • English

Insurance

  • Sliding Scale