Julia Smith and Jane Donovan: Inside Insight Mental Health Counselling | Ep 158

Fearless Practice

In 2016, Julia reached out to Jane in her search for a narrative supervisor. Both of them were drawn to narrative therapy - Jane already having many years of experience with the modality, and agreed to be Julia’s supervisor.

In 2020, when Julia was building up her virtual practice, she reached out to Jane to see if she would be interested in becoming an associate, and Jane agreed again! Now, their paths have shifted again, and they are colleagues and friends.

In this podcast episode, Julia and Jane discuss the origins of their professional connection, what it is like to work together, and the advice that they have for listeners who are curious about Canadian private practice.

MEET JULIA AND JANE

Julia Smith is a Registered Counselling Therapist and the Clinical Director at Insight Mental Health Counselling in Halifax. Julia specializes in working with teens and adults experiencing anxiety, depression, relationship issues, stress, life transitions, identity challenges, and burnout. They use narrative therapy to help clients find clarity and confidence in navigating life's challenges.

Jane Donovan is a Registered Counselling Therapist with over 15 years of experience supporting adults and couples in building healthy relationships. She works with clients experiencing communication difficulties, conflict, and feelings of disconnection. Jane utilizes evidence-based approaches, including narrative, solution-focused, and art therapy, to help individuals and couples develop stronger bonds and achieve their relationship goals.

Learn more about Julia on her LinkedIn and Psychology Today profiles, Jane on her Psychology Today profile, and both of them on the practice website.

In this episode:

• How Jane and Julia met

• Starting to work as a therapist

• Guiding values

• Advice for listeners in private practice

How Jane and Julia met

Jane and Julia have known one another from a long time back. Even though they are now colleagues and Jane is working at Julia’s Canadian private practice, a few years ago, Jane was Julia’s supervisor!

Now, they have spent years working together as colleagues and learning from each other in new ways.

Starting to work as a therapist

Jane's desire to work as a therapist started back in high school.

She did love art as well and took up pottery classes and ceramics. However, she later decided to pursue a career in therapy.

For Julia, the process was different.

As a teenager, she struggled with mental health issues and went to see a therapist, but it did not go well. That motivated Julia to learn more about mental health.

Guiding values

Both Jane and Julia have shared and complementary values that allow them to work together well as a team and to run the practice smoothly.

Values like authenticity and respect are important to Jane, especially as guiding lights for working with clients.

For Julia, one of the guiding principles of narrative therapy is viewing the person and the issue at hand as two separate things.

Since Jane and Julia share values and get along well as people and professionals alike, there is no urgent push to grow the practice just for the sake of growth.

Advice for listeners in private practice

Jane: Know what it is that you need and want, and go for it! Don’t let fear get in your way.

Julia: There are a lot of benefits that come from working with like-minded people.

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Resources mentioned and useful links:

Ep 157: Affordable Ways to Start a Canadian Private Practice in 2025 | EP 157

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Jane App (use code FEARLESS for one month free)

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Learn more about Julia on their LinkedIn and Psychology Today profiles, Jane on her Psychology Today profile, and both of them on the practice website

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