Valerie Acorn
BA, CHYS, MACP
Counselling Therapist
Valerie was born and raised in Cape Breton and is now living in Prince Edward Island with my family. Valerie has a Master’s of Arts in counselling psychology, a 4-year Bachelor of Arts Degree with a Psychology Major and a Biology Minor from Cape Breton University, and a 4-year Child and Youth Studies Degree from Mount Saint Vincent University. Her career began as a Resource Specialist in a children’s center in Halifax, where she discovered her passion for working with children and families, with a focus on Autism, ADHD, and Behaviour Modification. For the past 23 years, Valerie worked in Prince Edward Island schools, delivering programs on Anxiety, Resilience, Anger, Emotional Regulation, OCD, Perfectionism, Mindfulness, Negative Thinking, Goal Setting, Social Skills, and Executive Functioning. Valerie will now be working closely with the schools as a counsellor clinician with the Student Well-Being Team.
Her natural, warm disposition, along with her experiences and education, has shaped her therapeutic approach. She commits to creating a safe, supportive, nonjudgmental space where you can explore feelings, challenge limiting beliefs, and make meaningful changes in your life. Continuing education is a key focus, encompassing training in sand tray therapy, play therapy, and supporting families through postpartum adjustments. Additionally, ongoing training in Internal Family Systems, CBT, DBT, Somatic exercises and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy will be integrated into the session depending on client needs. When I am not studying, I am at the hockey rink, taking a virtual exercise class, or simply enjoying life as a mom of teenagers.
Areas of Focus:
Stress, Anxiety, Depression
Burnout & Compassion Fatigue
People-Pleasing, Setting Boundaries & Assertiveness
High Functioning Anxiety & Perfectionism
Self-Esteem & Self-Compassion
Emotional Regulation,
Executive Functioning
Life Transitions, Behaviour Change & Personal Growth
Neurodivergence (ADHD & ASD in children, teens and adults)
Jessica is a Registered Social Worker licensed throughout the Maritimes with the NSCSW, PEISWRB, and NBASW. She has been in clinical practice over 15 years.
Jessica has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Cape Breton University, A Bachelor of Social Work (Honours with Distinction) and a Master of Social Work both from the University of Windsor Ontario.
Jessica’s clinical practice is informed by attachment theory and an IFS informed lens. She primarily uses EMDR (standard protocol, DeTUR protocol and IFS integrated EMDR), DBR (Deep Brain Reorienting), Somatic Experiencing, Emotion Focused Therapy for couples and The Gottman Approach in her clinical practice
Jessica enjoys working with adults 18+ for a variety of concerns, including Complex trauma, PTSD, OCD, anxiety, depression and negative beliefs about the self and self image for individual therapy. Jessica offers couples therapy and has experience working within indigenous communities and the 2SLGBTQI population.
When not in the office, she is most often found hiking mountains with her Standard Poodle, Sampson James, rock climbing, camping or reading while consuming altogether too much coffee.
