Headshot of Joelle Laroche, RP, PhD, Associate Therapist and Clinical Supervisor at Dragonfly Counselling & Wellness in Brantford, Ontario

Dragonfly Counselling & Wellness

Joelle Laroche, RP, PhD

Associate Therapist / Clinical Supervisor

Children Youth Adults Individuals

Gentle, trauma-informed therapy for children, teens and adults carrying more than they should have to carry alone.

Joelle works with children, youth and adults navigating trauma, attachment and relational wounds, anxiety, crisis and significant life challenges.

With extensive experience in complex trauma and Indigenous community work, she brings both clinical expertise and a deeply relational approach to therapy. Her work is collaborative and strengths-focused — you set the pace, and Joelle walks alongside you.

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Areas of focus Childhood trauma, attachment and relational trauma, anxiety, crisis, life transitions

I work with Children, youth, adults, individuals

Format In-person in Brantford and virtual

Approaches EMDR, CBT, DBT, Solution-Focused, Narrative Therapy

Coverage Insurance, NIHB

In My Words

Wondering What Therapy with Me Is Like?

My family has always been involved in fostering, so from an early age I was exposed to what it means to support people through difficult experiences. I’ve also always been fascinated by psychology and understanding how people heal. Over time, those experiences naturally led me toward a helping profession and eventually to becoming a therapist.

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I really hope you feel safe here — that you feel understood, supported, and that I’m truly attuned to you and what you need.

Joelle Laroche, RP

Childhood Trauma, PTSD, Anxiety, Depression and Crisis Support

Reasons People Reach Out to Me

I see clients in person in Brantford and virtually across Ontario. If something on this list sounds like what you're carrying, that's a good place to start the conversation.

Complex childhood trauma

Things that happened early and are still shaping how you live now.

Attachment and relational trauma

Trouble trusting, connecting or feeling secure with the people closest to you.

Indigenous Identity and Belonging

Extensive experience supporting Indigenous individuals, families and communities.

PTSD and trauma symptoms

Flashbacks, nightmares and hypervigilance that won't settle on their own.

Anxiety

Racing thoughts, panic, or feeling constantly on edge.

Depression and emotional distress

Low mood, exhaustion, or feeling stuck and unmotivated.

Therapy for children and teens

Support that meets young people where they are, at their own pace.

Crisis support

When something has knocked things sideways and you need steady ground.

Life transitions and identity

New roles, big changes, or working out who you are in them.

Not on this list? Reach out anyway. If I'm not the right fit, I'll help you find someone who is.

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How I Work

You lead the way,
and I build
the work around you

I focus a lot on building a strong collaborative relationship, because that is what makes the harder work possible. I always want to be working towards whatever you want to work towards, and I draw from several frameworks rather than applying one method to everyone.

My Therapeutic Modalities

EMDR Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) Narrative Therapy Solution-Focused Therapy Motivational Interviewing

Trained in EMDR, with certification currently in progress.

How That Shows Up In Our Sessions

Trauma-informed Collaborative Client-led Gentle Strengths-based Culturally responsive

Who You’d Be Sitting With

A Little More About Me

I’m really into anything and everything involving wool. I spin my own yarn, I crochet, and I’m especially into crocheting dog sweaters.

I’m also a swimmer. Both are quiet, repetitive work, and both are where I go to slow down outside the office.

“Spinning yarn, crocheting, swimming. The things that give you a sense of peace and grounding matter, and they’re worth protecting.”

Joelle

Collage representing Joelle’s hobbies: crocheting dog sweaters and swimming

An Invitation from Joelle

Messy Is Allowed Here

It's going to be messy. There will be setbacks. That's okay, right? There's going to be hard times. That's okay.

There's going to be times where you don't want to change and that's okay. And there's going to be times where maybe change doesn't feel right or look right or is the right time right now. And that's fine.

Finding the right therapist begins with considering what you need and whether the relationship feels like a good fit. There's no wrong answer. We can meet, see if we vibe, and go from there.

Book with Me