Meet Your Risework Therapist: Introducing Jess Marshall
At Risework Therapy, we believe the therapeutic relationship is the foundation for growth and that starts with getting to know the person holding space for your journey. In our new “Meet Your RiseworkTherapist” blog series, we’re proud to introduce the compassionate, skilled professionals that make Risework Therapy so special.
This week, we’re excited to feature Jess Marshall, a Registered Counselling Therapist (RCT) in Nova Scotia and Registered Psychotherapist (RP) in Ontario. Jess provides client-centered, evidence-informed care to individuals and couples who are ready to explore, heal, and grow.
About Jess
Jess offers in-person sessions at our Halifax, Nova Scotia office, and virtual therapy for clients across Ontario. Jess is committed to creating a safe and non-judgmental space for clients to explore challenges and discover new possibilities.
Jess works with a diverse range of clients, specializing in:
Couples Therapy & Individual Therapy
ADHD & Anxiety
Codependency & Self-esteem
LGBTQ+
Ethical Non-Monogamy (ENM)
Sex Positive & Kink-Affirming Therapy
Neurodivergent-Affirming Care
“My approach is eclectic, affirming, and warm. I approach clients with curiosity of how I can best help them in their desire for change.”
Couples Therapy with Jess
Jess is trained in Gottman Method and Developmental approaches to couples therapy, working through an attachment-based lens to support partners in:
Navigating communication breakdowns
Rebuilding trust
Deepening intimacy
Co-creating fulfilling, values-aligned relationships
“As a relationship therapist, I work with couples and partners of all backgrounds, orientations, and relationship styles. Whether you practice monogamy or non-monogamy, I bring a sex-positive, kink-aware, and affirming perspective to our sessions.”
Individual Therapy with Jess
Jess integrates a range of therapeutic modalities tailored to each client’s needs and goals. These include:
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
Narrative Therapy
Attachment-Based Therapy
Parts Work
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction
Ecotherapy
“Whether you’re navigating stress, trauma, identity exploration, or personal growth, I work with you to develop tools and insights that foster resilience and well-being.”
Therapeutic Modalities Jess Uses
“My approach is eclectic and flexible, blending a variety of therapeutic models based on your goals and preferences.”
Jess draws from:
Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)
Psychodynamic Therapy
Person-Centered Therapy
Narrative Therapy
Attachment-Based Therapies
At the heart of Jess’s work are four core values:
Compassion, Collaboration, Authenticity, and Social Responsibility.
We asked & Jess Answered:
What inspired you to become a therapist?
“At first, it was the interest in learning why people are the way they are, seeking to understand what motivates people to be who they are. This developed into a deep compassion for humanity and individual experience.”
What led you to your specific area of focus/speciality?
“Discovering my own neurodivergence, sexuality, and relationship style in my late 20s really shifted my focus as a therapist. I saw the lack of specialists in this area when I needed one, and I wanted to be able to provide that care for others who were working through own journeys toward authentic living.”
How would you describe yourself or your personality?
“I would describe myself as curious, open to new perspectives, and a fan of questioning the ways that society has decided we ought to do things. Personally motivated by becoming the most authentic version of myself.”
“My approach is eclectic, affirming, and warm. I approach clients with curiosity of how I can best help them in their desire for change.”
Can you share something interesting about yourself?
“I enjoy expressing myself through aesthetics. I can often be seen wearing eccentric / festive clothing and often have multicolored hair.”
How do you take care of your own mental health?
“I try to spend as much time outdoors in my garden as possible, nature-based time is soothing to my rapid-fire ADHD brain. I have regular supervision and therapy appointments with professionals I trust to help me process both the work that I do, and the stress that comes with being a human in 2025.”
How do you create a safe space for clients?
“Therapy can be intimidating for some. When clients are receptive to it, we can approach those intimidating aspects with humor! Ultimately, I'm here for my client and hold non-judgemental space for them to be their authentic selves. We approach any challenges together. I like to remind my clients that they're always in control of the pace and content of sessions, they can stop, pause, take a break or give me feedback at any time”
What do you wish more people understood about therapy?
“Therapy is both an art and a science, it is not comparable to a physician appointment in a cold clinical environment, nor is it the same as having a lengthy vent session with a friend. We hear the term therapy thrown around a lot (i.e. music is my therapy memes and such). I think that I wish more people understood that many things can be therapeutic, but that's not the same as those things being therapy itself.”
What’s something clients might be surprised to learn about you?
“I actually don't know how to answer this question. Either because I'm too neurodivergent, or because I strive to be pretty open and authentic about who I am both personally and professionally. I don't think it would be surprising for people to know that I'm both involved and an advocate for the local kink and ENM scenes, since those are things I specialize in. Maybe they'd be more surprised that outside of that, I'm actually pretty boring”
What would you say to someone who’s nervous about starting therapy?
“I get it. Starting something new, deciding to make a change of any kind, can be intimidating. The “known”, no matter how difficult it is for us- always feels safer than the unknown. The “known” feels like we know what to expect because we are in it, where healing can feel daunting and scary because we haven't been there yet. But you don't have to go there alone, your therapist is your guide and will be there with you through this, you can do it!”
Final Words
“Ultimately I want my clients to discover the calmness that comes with accepting and celebrating their authentic selves and that they are able to offer themselves compassion in times of hardship.”
Connect with Jess Today!
If you're looking for a warm, affirming, and deeply committed therapist, Jess might be a great fit for you!
Feel free to check out Jess Marshall’s LinkedIn Profile:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-l-sherman/
