About Chickadee Therapy
Chickadee Therapy is a counselling and psychotherapy practice in Ontario, created with the hope of helping people find real and lasting relief from chronic pain and trauma. At the heart of Chickadee Therapy is Clarissa James, who is committed to offering gentle, supportive, and personalized care to everyone she works with.
You’re welcome to connect in person at the Cobblestone Medicine and Rehab clinics in Paris and Burford, or virtually from anywhere in Ontario—whatever feels most comfortable and accessible for you.
Meet Clarissa
Hi, I’m Clarissa — a Registered Social Worker, Pain Reprocessing Therapy Practitioner, and EMDR Therapist.
I help people (ages 14+) living with trauma and chronic pain find real, lasting relief by working with their nervous system, not against it. I’m passionate about bringing neuroscience-informed care into therapy.
But before I ever did this work professionally, I lived it.
When I was a teenager, I began experiencing migraines that eventually became chronic. For years, I was caught in the exhausting cycle of trying everything—medications, bodywork, diets, supplements, specialists—you name it. I kept searching for the one thing that would “fix” me.
Nothing worked.
Not because I was broken—but because I was searching in the wrong place.
Everything began to shift when I discovered Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT). It helped me understand that my pain wasn’t just in my body—it was being shaped by a nervous system stuck in protection mode. Through PRT (and a lot of unlearning), I began to feel safe in my body again. And slowly, gently… the pain began to quiet.
That moment changed everything—personally and professionally.
I realized this is what’s missing for so many people.
I dove into neuroscience, trauma research, and mind-body approaches to pain. Now, as one of only eight mental health professionals in Ontario with advanced training in PRT, I help people find lasting relief from chronic pain and trauma. Over the past decade, I’ve supported individuals through chronic pain, trauma, anxiety, depression, addiction, and caregiver burnout. My work is grounded in a deep respect for the nervous system and the belief that healing happens when we stop fighting ourselves and start meeting our bodies with compassion.
My mission is simple:
To help you feel safe in your body, connected to yourself, and free to live the life you’ve been missing.
I believe your body isn’t broken.
Your nervous system isn’t the enemy.
And healing is possible—even if nothing else has worked yet.
Today, I support people living with trauma and chronic pain through neuroscience-based therapies that calm the nervous system and create real, lasting change.
When you’re ready, I’d be honoured to walk that path with you.
What Is The Story Behind The Name
Chickadee Therapy?
The name Chickadee Therapy holds a very special place in my heart. It’s a tribute to one of the most meaningful relationships in my life—my grandmother. She had a deep love for animals and an almost magical way of connecting with them. She was like a real-life Snow White—gentle, kind, and always surrounded by birds, squirrels, and woodland creatures. I often found her rescuing and rehabilitating injured wildlife. Among all the birds, the chickadee was her favorite. She would sing their cheerful “chicka-dee-dee-dee” call, filling the air with warmth and joy. Because of this sweet habit, I affectionately called her “Grandma Dee Dee.”
What makes this connection even more personal is that my grandmother lived with chronic migraine for much of her life—pain that was never fully understood or effectively treated. Watching someone so full of love and light suffer without relief left a lasting impression on me. Years later, I experienced my own journey with chronic migraine. Unlike my grandmother, I was fortunate to find real relief through Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT), a powerful approach that helped me rewire my brain’s pain signals and reclaim my life.
Naming my practice Chickadee Therapy is more than a nod to a cherished memory—it’s an honoring of both my grandmother’s strength and my own healing journey. It’s a symbol of hope, compassion, and the belief that freedom from chronic pain is possible. Through my work, I carry forward my grandmother’s spirit, helping others find comfort, connection, and the possibility of real healing.
From Lived Experience to Lasting Healing
A therapist who’s walked the path, too.
These videos are a window into the heart of my work — a mix of professional training and personal recovery from chronic pain. If you’ve been searching for someone who gets it, I hope this helps you feel seen and supported before you even reach out.
In this video, I share my personal journey of recovering from chronic migraine — a path marked by pain, frustration, and countless hope-disappointment cycles. If you've tried everything and nothing has worked, I get it and understand first hand how hard it can be to believe that relief is possible. This is a story of reclaiming life from chronic pain, and a message of hope for anyone who feels stuck.
Your brain can be rewired—and your habits can change.
In this video, I explain how neural pathways function like familiar “roads” in the brain, and how you can gradually build new, healthier routes that support the life you want.
Curious about EMDR? In this video, I break down the process and explain how it supports healing, emotional resilience, and recovery from trauma.
Feeling like you’ve tried everything and nothing has worked yet?
You’re not alone.
You are not broken.
Take a moment to watch this short pep-talk video.
Not finding relief yet doesn’t mean something is wrong with you. Please don’t give up—change is still possible. I believe in your ability to heal and grow.
What Those Who’ve Worked Alongside Me Say
Media Highlights & Community Impact
Expert Panel on Trauma, Addiction, and Youth
Brantford Community – Rogers TV Broadcast
I was invited as a community expert on a panel at the Drugs and Youth event in Brantford, where I had the privilege of discussing the intersection of trauma, the nervous system, and addiction in young people. Aired on Rogers TV, the conversation brought together community members, healthcare professionals, and youth advocates to explore how early experiences of trauma influence the brain and body, and how this can lead to addictive behaviours.
I shared insights on how the nervous system responds to stress and strategies for supporting healing and resilience. This event underscored the importance of understanding the complex relationship between mental health, trauma, and addiction, and how a compassionate, informed approach can foster positive change in the lives of young people.
Drawing the Pain-Fear Cycle at Embrace and Release
Joint Event with Certified Yoga Practitioner, Amanda Carnes
At the Embrace and Release event, I had the opportunity to illustrate the "Pain-Fear Cycle," helping participants visualize the complex relationship between chronic pain, emotional responses, and the nervous system. Paired with a certified yoga practitioner, we co-led an interactive session designed to bridge the science of chronic pain with practical tools for recovery. Together, we explored how chronic pain can be exacerbated by fear and stress, and how mindfulness, yoga, and therapeutic techniques can help break this cycle. My role was to guide participants through understanding the neurological underpinnings of pain, while our joint approach empowered attendees to embrace healing, release fear, and find new pathways to recovery.
Presenting the Client Journey Award
Celebrating Progress in Mental Health and Addiction Recovery
It was a true honor to present the Client Journey Award to a remarkable individual who has shown incredible strength and resilience in their recovery journey. This award recognizes not just progress, but the dedication and courage it takes to overcome challenges in mental health and addiction. Celebrating this milestone with my client was a deeply moving experience, as it highlighted the power of perseverance, self-compassion, and support in the healing process. Their journey is a testament to the transformative potential of therapy and personal growth, and I’m thankful to have been able to support them in their recovery journey. This moment was a reminder that recovery is not just about overcoming obstacles, but about embracing one’s potential and moving forward with hope and determination.