PHOTO

Jennifer A. Matwawana

COUNSELLING & PSYCHOTHERAPY · OTTAWA & LONDON, ONTARIO

Real support
for real life.

Whether you're feeling overwhelmed, stuck, anxious, burned out, or emotionally drained, you don't have to navigate it alone. We offer a supportive, practical, and compassionate space where you can talk openly, make sense of what's going on, and begin creating real change.

We don't believe in quick fixes. We believe in insight, emotional safety, and tools that actually help you move forward.

START WITH A CONVERSATION MEET THE COUNSELLORS

Which inner critic is running the show?

Take the free Inner Critic Quiz from All Women L.E.A.D. and discover your inner critic archetype in under five minutes. Free, insightful, and built by a registered social worker with 27 years of experience.

Free Quiz

The Inner Critic
Archetype Quiz

14 questions. Instant results. Discover whether your inner critic shows up as The Perfectionist, The People-Pleaser, The Imposter, The Protector, The Avoider, The Minimizer, or The Grounded Leader. Each result includes your archetype profile, your strength, the pattern to watch, and a practical strategy to move forward.

14 Questions

7 Archetypes

5 Minutes

The 7 archetypes

The Perfectionist Nothing is ever quite ready

The People-Pleaser Everyone else comes first

The Imposter They will figure me out

The Protector Armour on at all times

The Avoider Staying still feels safer

The Minimizer Making myself smaller

The Grounded Leader Leading from your whole self

Take the free quiz +

Free and instant. No email required to see your result.

YOU DON’T NEED A REASON TO BEGIN

You don’t need to be in crisis

Many people come simply because something doesn't feel right, and they want it to. That's enough.

You don’t need to have it figured out

Your first session is simply a conversation about what brought you here. That’s all we ask.

You don’t need to do this alone

Reaching out is the hardest part. Once you do, we'll take it from there, together, at your pace.

You deserve support

Not because something is wrong with you, but because you're human, and humans need connection and care.

WHAT WE HELP WITH

Our clients come to us for support with things like:

STEADINESS

Anxiety, stress & overwhelm

RENEWAL

Depression & low mood

RESTORATION

Trauma & past experiences

EVOLUTION

Life transitions & identity shifts

CONNECTION

Relationship challenges

SUSTAINABILITY

Workplace stress & burnout

EMPOWERMENT

Self-esteem & confidence

ALIGNMENT

Boundaries & emotional regulation

"You don't need to be in crisis to start counselling. Many people come simply because something doesn't feel right, and they want it to."

OUR APPROACH

We don't lead with a clipboard. We lead with curiosity and care.

"Our counselling is warm, collaborative, practical, and non-judgmental. We focus on helping you understand your emotions, your patterns, and the stories you carry so you can respond to life with more clarity and self-compassion."

When it's helpful, we draw on evidence-based tools. Each one is chosen specifically for you, not applied by formula.

INSIGHT

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

AWARENESS

Mindfulness-based strategies

STABILITY

Trauma-informed care

MOMENTUM

Strength-based & solution-focused work

INTEGRATION

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing)

RESILIENCE

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy

MEET THE COUNSELLORS

Experienced. Compassionate. Skilled.

The therapeutic relationship is personal. Take your time reading about each counsellor and choose the person you feel most drawn to. There's no wrong answer.

Jennifer A. Matwawana

Registered Social Worker

Jennifer is a registered social worker with over two decades of experience supporting individuals through anxiety, depression, trauma, and major life transitions. She works primarily with women and professionals who feel emotionally overwhelmed, stuck, or disconnected from themselves, even when things "look fine" on the outside.

She integrates CBT, mindfulness, trauma-informed care, and EMDR to help clients process past experiences, reduce emotional distress, and build healthier patterns. Clients often describe Jennifer as warm, intuitive, and deeply validating, while also being practical and honest. Her goal is to help you understand what's happening inside you, feel safer in your emotions, and move forward with greater confidence, clarity, and self-trust.

CBT EMDR Trauma-informed Mindfulness Life transitions

Donnica Campbell, RSW

Registered Social Worker

Donnica is a registered social worker (RSW), with a Bachelor of Social Work degree from the University of Victoria, she also holds an honors Bachelor of arts degree in sociology and communication studies from McMaster University and a social service worker diploma from Sheridan College.

Donnica is a trained counsellor with over 15 years of experience working with individuals with mental health. She is passionate about helping people live their best life, by walking alongside them as they navigate their health, wellness, and healing journey.

Donnica provides a comfortable, judgment-free space where individuals feel free to bring their whole selves. She works from a client-centered, compassionate and holistic approach.

Trauma–informed Racial Identity Anxiety & Depression Personal Development Parent-child relationship Eating Disorder Abuse and Domestic Violence Life Transitions Relationships Stress Management Human Trafficking Personal Development Anger Management

Lisa Highgate, M.Ed., CCC

Counsellor

Lisa is a skilled counsellor with over 20 years of experience in the mental health field. She believes in transformation through understanding and empathy. Using a person-centred, strengths based and solution focused approach, she creates a safe and supportive environment where clients can explore their concerns and build resilience. Integrating a culturally responsive framework, she works to ensure therapy is affirming, respectful and attentive to each person’s unique lived experience.

She works with a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, loss and life transitions. Lisa is trained in EMDR, holds a Masters in Counselling Psychology and is certified through the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association.

Anxiety Depression Interpersonal Violence Life Transitions Loss Trauma & PTSD Racial Identity

WHAT TO EXPECT

Your first session: no pressure, no perfection required.

Your first session is a chance to talk about what brought you here, what you're hoping for, and what support might look like. There is no pressure to have everything figured out. That's what we're here for.

Available virtually and in-person (where applicable)

Sessions tailored to your goals, your pace, your comfort

Some services may be covered by extended health benefits

Warm, non-judgmental space with no minimum commitment.

Begin with one conversation. No long-term obligation required.

Based in Ottawa & London · serving clients across Ontario virtually

🔒

All sessions are completely confidential. What you share stays between you and your counsellor. Many people worry about this before reaching out. We want you to know you are safe here.

HOW TO BOOK

Three simple steps.

Getting started is easier than you might think.

01 Choose your counsellor

Read about Jennifer, Donnica, and Lisa above and choose the person you feel most connected to.

02 Book or reach out

Click "Book a session" under their bio, or contact us directly and we'll help match you to the right fit.

03 Show up as you are

That's it. No preparation needed. Your counsellor will take it from there, at your pace.

WHAT CLIENTS SAY

“I just wanted to share my testimony — this program has been very effective for me. It has helped improve my confidence in so many ways. I am much stronger. It has had a great impact on my mental health overall. I would encourage anyone to take the program — I have seen significant changes in my life.”

Dawn H.
Program participant

“If you are ready to do the work to see where that inner critic started and how to manage those negative thoughts, I recommend you work with Jen. She is highly skilled at supporting you to gain clarity and take positive action.”

Jennifer Jimbere
Business & Executive Coach

“Jennifer is a woman of substance and character. The transformation she has helped her clients make in her counselling and coaching practice is impressive. She is a blessing to anyone who gets a chance to spend time with her.”

Paula Morand
Top 100 Influencers List, 2019

“Jen is a beautiful soul with exceptional skills in coaching, mentoring, and finding people’s inner strengths to help them build on them. I highly recommend working with her to anyone who would like to move past issues that may be holding them back.”

Dr. Meg Haggitt
Entrepreneur, PhD, Educator & Coach

A WORD FROM JENNIFER

“I became a social worker because I know what it feels like to need support and not know how to ask for it. Every person who walks through our door, or logs on to a session, is met with the same thing: genuine care, zero judgment, and a deep belief in your capacity to heal and grow. You don't have to earn that. You already deserve it.”

— Jennifer A. Matwawana

You don’t have to do this alone.

Counselling with us is about more than talking. It's about feeling understood, gaining clarity, and building the emotional strength to move forward with confidence.

In-person & virtual · Ottawa & London, Ontario · Serving clients across Ontario virtually · Extended health benefits may apply

TAKE THE FIRST STEP START WITH A QUESTION

Real supportfor real life.

REGISTERED SOCIAL WORKER · IN-PERSON & VIRTUAL · OTTAWA & LONDON, ONTARIO · EXTENDED HEALTH BENEFITS MAY APPLY