About Me
A quick introduction
My name is Dr. Jessica Parker. I’m a Registered Psychologist who specialises in supporting children, youth and their parents. For as long as I can remember, I have always been surrounded by helpers in my life. It has been my life’s work to be the kind of helper that children and families will look to in times of need.
I think it’s important to know your helpers, to understand their motivations so that you can feel safe in putting your trust in them. While I am an experienced psychologist, and have a lot of training in the field of mental health, I’m also a mother, a sister, a daughter, a partner, a lifelong student and a woman in business.
My journey to becoming a Psychologist started a long time ago
I grew up in a large family, that would change in size depending on how many foster children my parents invited into our home at any given time. I have two bio siblings, and two adopted siblings, and I’m right in the middle of them in terms of age. From my foster siblings, I witnessed a great deal in terms of the different challenges that kids can deal with, developmentally and environmentally.
I also saw the amazing resilience of children, when given the right support to thrive. When children are treated as whole human beings, and are given respect along with kindness and compassion, it’s amazing what they can overcome.
Along with being foster and adoptive parents, my father worked with youth and adults with developmental disabilities and my mother provided at home child care services. When I was young and talking about my future, my father encouraged me to pursue psychology because he saw the need every day with the people he supported. I decided then and there that my career path would be focused on becoming a Psychologist.
My path towards becoming a mental health “helper” never waivered
While many people in high school consider lots of options for their careers, once I decided that I’d be a Psychologist, that was it. I had always been a helper in many ways throughout my childhood and this reinforced the choices with how I spent my time. Namely, I spent time coaching and refereeing sports, working as a camp counsellor, babysitting, and volunteering.
After graduating high school, I worked my way through my university years. While getting my BA with Honours in Psychology at St. Francis Xavier University, I worked in a research lab learning about parent-child attachment relationships. After graduation, I moved to Vancouver and spent a few years as the Lab Coordinator for The Autism and Developmental Disabilities Research Lab at Simon Fraser University. I completed my Master’s degree at University of British Columbia in School Psychology and then immediately started my PhD in School and Applied Child Psychology. I moved back home to the Maritimes during my PhD as my own family was growing. My PhD dissertation was focused on supporting children with behavioural needs in partnership with family and school personnel. I am very passionate about supporting positive working relationships between families and schools to help support children.
In my heart, I am always a helper first
I know that for many, seeing a mental health professional can feel scary. If it helps to think of me first as a helper, and second as a Registered Psychologist, I want you to know that this is how I see myself as well.
It is my hope that by knowing a little bit more about me, and my journey, that you’ll find it in your heart to trust me to share your story, when you’re ready. I love what I do. I consider it an enormous privilege to be able to walk alongside people as they learn, grow, and heal.
Get in touch
Please feel free to reach out to ask any questions
Sometimes the hardest part is simply starting the conversation. If you’re here, you’ve already shown courage and a deep commitment to you or your child’s well-being. Please know that when you contact Rainbow Tree Psychology, you’ll be met with kindness, compassion, and respect.