Alyssa James

Social Worker

Hello! I’m Alyssa, Social Worker at Healing Tree. I support individuals experiencing depression, anxiety, trauma, substance use, burnout, and relationship challenges. Together, we explore the experiences and patterns that shape your life, cultivating greater self-awareness and self-compassion along the way. I believe these are powerful tools for learning—and unlearning—the beliefs, coping strategies, and narratives that may no longer serve us, creating space to live more wholeheartedly.

Through both my professional work and personal experiences, I have come to appreciate the importance of having a space where you feel seen, heard, valued, and accepted. I believe that meaningful change begins by strengthening our relationship with ourselves, allowing us to build deeper and more authentic connections with others.

I strive to create a therapeutic environment rooted in trust, safety, curiosity, and hope. Together, we explore the experiences and patterns that may be contributing to pain while building on your existing strengths and resilience. My role is to offer empathy, acceptance, and thoughtful nudges, while honouring your expertise in your own life. It is a privilege to walk alongside clients as they move toward healing and lasting change.

My clinical interests include the impact of trauma, interpersonal relationships, and substance use on the brain and nervous system, and how these experiences shape our thoughts, emotions, and daily lives. This perspective informs my work and reinforces my belief in the healing power of connection—whether with ourselves, our relationships, our communities, spirituality, or the many interconnected aspects of our lives.

Outside of work, I enjoy creative pursuits such as painting, pottery, macramé, and candle making. I feel most grounded in nature and spend as much time as I can among the trees, near the water, or in local parks. Originally from the Maritimes, I grew up in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick and have also lived in Ontario and British Columbia. I am grateful to call Montreal home. I will be returning from maternity leave in August 2026.

I hold a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Mount Allison University (2014) and a Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of British Columbia (2017). My professional experience spans public healthcare, community mental health, and addiction treatment settings.

I am a registered Social Worker with the Ordre des travailleurs sociaux et des thérapeutes conjugaux et familiaux du Québec (OTSTCFQ) and am currently working toward obtaining my psychotherapy permit through the Ordre des psychologues du Québec (OPQ).