Tess Ingram

Tess is often described as a warm, relational therapist who helps people feel safe, accepted, and understood. She prioritizes genuine connections and a supportive, non-judgmental space where people feel comfortable discussing difficult experiences and emotions. She works with children (7+), teens (13+), and young adults (18–29).

Tess believes emotional responses are often pathologized when they may reflect understandable reactions to life experiences, systemic barriers, and injustice. She considers each person’s broader social, cultural, and relational context and is committed to lifelong learning, critical self-reflection, and ethical, responsive, culturally safe care for equity-seeking populations.

Alongside her work at Blue Couch, Tess provides trauma-informed, neuro-affirming psychotherapy at another clinic in the Waterloo region, using CBT, DBT, and ACT-informed approaches.

During her Master of Social Work (MSW), Tess completed a foundational placement at a multidisciplinary clinic, facilitating DBT-informed groups primarily for neurodivergent children and teens. Her advanced placement at a university counselling centre involved supporting students with diverse backgrounds, identities, and abilities. Her work addressed anxiety, depression, relational and attachment concerns, sexual and gender identity, neurodivergence, and gender-based violence.

Before completing her master’s degree, Tess worked in social services supporting people across the lifespan with mental health concerns, trauma, neurodivergence, and developmental (dis)abilities. Her experience spanned developmental service agencies, pediatric treatment centres, and non-profit organizations.

Outside the office, Tess enjoys travelling, including solo adventures, spending time outdoors, and weekend road trips. She also loves meeting new people, listening to audiobooks, attending Zumba classes, and trying new restaurants.