Tess Ingram, Social Worker in Kitchener-Waterloo

Tess Ingram

MSW, RSW

Registered Social Worker

In-Person, Virtual
Daytime, Evenings, Weekends
Accepting New Clients

Client Focus:

Children (7+) Adults (18-29) College & University Students Teens (13+)

Areas of Support:

Parental Separation/Divorce Autism Behavioural Concerns Boundary Setting Building Confidence Bullying Conflict Resolution Coping Skills De-escalation Support Depression Developmental Disability Support Emotional Regulation Executive Functioning General Anxiety Intellectual Disability Support Life Transitions Nervous System Regulation Neurodevelopmental Disorders (e.g. FASD) Neurodivergent Support Relational Trauma Self-Esteem Social Anxiety Social Skills Stress

Session Fees:

$175/hr

I am often described as a warm, relational therapist who fosters a sense of comfort, safety, and acceptance for those I work with. I strive to build genuine connections and help people feel truly heard, valued, and understood. When working with someone for the first time, my priority is to foster a supportive, non-judgmental space where individuals feel comfortable discussing difficult experiences and emotions. I work with children (7+), teens, and young adults (18-29).

As a Registered Social Worker licensed to practice in Ontario, I offer a strengths-based, person-centered approach that is tailored to each client’s unique needs, developmental stage, and lived experiences. I believe that many emotional responses are often pathologized when they may instead reflect understandable reactions to life experiences, systemic barriers, and unjust systems, and that individuals and their challenges cannot be understood in isolation from their broader social, cultural, and relational contexts. When working with children and teens, I adapt therapeutic tools and activities to support self-expression, emotional growth, skill development, and healthy coping strategies within a neuro-affirming environment.

I completed my Master of Social Work (MSW) at Wilfrid Laurier University. During my foundational placement, I worked at an executive functioning clinic, where I facilitated DBT-informed therapeutic groups for primarily neurodiverse children and teens. My advanced placement took place at a university counselling centre, where I responded to the diverse needs and worldviews of students across cultures, ethnicities, racial backgrounds, religions and spiritualities, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. My work addressed concerns such as anxiety, depression, relational and attachment issues, sexual and gender identity, neurodivergence, and gender-based violence.

Prior to completing my master’s degree, I worked in social services supporting individuals across the lifespan with mental health concerns, trauma, neurodivergence, and developmental (dis)abilities. I have experience across a variety of settings, including developmental service agencies, pediatric treatment centres, and non-profit organizations. I also hold a Graduate Certificate in Autism & Behavioural Science and have experience providing neuro-affirming support to children, youth, and young adults with ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

I have skills in crisis intervention, conflict resolution, client advocacy, and connecting individuals with community resources. I am committed to lifelong learning and critical self-reflection, and I continuously strive to provide ethical, responsive, and culturally safe care for equity-seeking populations.

 

Language Spoken: English

Approaches Used
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
De-escalation Strategies
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
Gender-Affirming Approach
Mindfulness
Motivational Interviewing
Neuro-Affirming Approach
Solution-Focused Approach

Master of Social Work – Wilfrid Laurier University

Graduate Certificate in Autism & Behavioural Science – Conestoga College

Bachelor of Science, Biological Science – University of Guelph

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) – McMaster University

Fundamentals of CBT – McMaster University

Non-Violent Crisis Intervention – Crisis Prevention Institute

DBT Skills – PsychWire (In Progress)

I thoroughly enjoy travelling and have taken a few solo trips over the past few years. I like spending as much time outdoors as I can, especially on weekend road trips. I also enjoy meeting new people, listening to audiobooks, attending Zumba classes, and trying new restaurants.

Dr. Smolewska & Associates is now Colibri NeuroWellness!

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