Tessa holds a BSc in Psychology from Dalhousie University (2022) and is currently pursuing her MSc in Clinical Psychology at Acadia University. She is a student member of the Association of Psychologists of Nova Scotia (APNS). Tessa’s Honours Thesis involved working with veterans and civilians who regularly used cannabis and had experienced trauma. This research contributed to a larger project investigating the risks and benefits of using cannabis to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Tessa is interested in working with people of all ages, background, and experiences. She values working with a diverse range of clients because she believes in the importance of equitable and accessible mental health services. She hopes to contribute to this accessibility throughout her career.

Prior to her BSc, Tessa taught English at an elementary school in rural South Korea for four years. She developed skills working with children and was fortunate to meet many people from different walks of life, ultimately cultivating a deep interest in and respect for other’s points of view. Tessa’s parents served in the Canadian Armed Forces throughout her childhood, giving her an understanding of military culture from the perspective of a family member.

Through her graduate program, Tessa has received supervised training in delivering Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and providing cognitive assessments. She is currently working on expanding her skills to include Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT). Tessa focuses on evidence-based practice and a collaborative, client-centered approach.