Jessica graduated from the University of Alberta (Calgary cohort) with her Master's degree in Occupational Therapy, after completing her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at Mount Royal University. Jessica always knew that she wanted to pursue her undergraduate degree in Psychology as she has always been interested in understanding why people do what they do. After completing her undergraduate degree, Jessica turned to Occupational Therapy to learn how to best support people of all abilities in being able to do what is most important to them.

Jessica worked throughout her academic studies as a personal support worker and respite worker for adults with developmental disabilities. In 2020, she worked as a research intern in partnership with the University of Alberta and Mitacs, exploring the biomechanical and psychophysical demands imposed on workers whose job duties include the lifting of portable ladders; Jessica shared the results of this research at the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT) Conference in 2020 and through a 2021 publication in WORK: A Journal of Assessment, Prevention, and Rehabilitation.

Through her Occupational Therapy program practicum placements, Jessica pursued opportunities to work with adults with mental health challenges. She has experience in providing individual and group therapy for clients with mental health challenges and addictions. She has taken extra training in Motivational Interviewing (MI) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). Jessica looks forward to continuing to apply a holistic lens in working with people, targeting both physical and mental health concerns.

Jessica grew up in Cochrane and Calgary. She is a firm believer in everything happening for a reason and has an optimistic outlook on life. In her free time Jessica enjoys watching movies, taking her new puppy for walks, enjoying food, and travelling (especially to the Okanagan and to Disneyland)!