Dr Jess Pearce

I'm a neurodivergent IFS practitioner

(par ici pour le site en français)

About me

Me, a white agender person smiling against a mirror background

As a child, I was fascinated with human behavior and sought to understand relational rules and patterns. In retrospect, I was clearly autistic, although I wouldn’t be diagnosed with autism and ADHD until later in life. Along the way, my passionate interest in behavior led me to earn a PhD in Behavioral Ecology: my work focused on social insects and revealed to me the beautiful systems that exist at all levels of nature. Although I ultimately left research because of burnout, I reconnected with systemic dynamics when I discovered Internal Family Systems (IFS), a therapeutic approach that has been essential in my journey to heal from extensive childhood trauma. I've come to realize that our internal systems are as vibrant and well protected as any bee or ant colony. Depending on the moment, our systems may experience the same amazing cohesiveness, polarizing power struggles, strong alliances, and fierce protection of the vulnerable.


Four red ants on barbed wire

With my background in behavioral ecology and training in IFS (Level 2), I help neurodivergent people explore their inner ecosystems. Many of my clients are also chronically ill. They may exist at intersections of marginalization, where they have accumulated both individual trauma (cPTSD) and intergenerational trauma. They have often experienced cultural burdens such as ableism, racism, queerphobia, transphobia, and fatphobia. Taking a trauma-informed approach, my invitation is to collaboratively and creatively explore how to heal from those burdens and to reconnect with one’s authentic Self, a source of ease, wisdom, and compassion.

I'm committed to providing neuroaffirming support in accordance with the following principles (inspired by Flower et al. 2025): (1) a commitment to continued learning, (2) providing safety to be one's neurodivergent self, (3) identifying communication preferences, (4) authenticity and humility in practice, (5) validation of lived experiences, (6) neurodivergence-informed and person-centered support, and (7) genuine acceptance of neurodivergence.

Neurodivergence

Purple umbrella covering a non-exhaustive list of types of neurodivergence

Credit: @livedexperienceeducator

Kassiane Asasumasu, a multiracial multiply neurodivergent activist coined the term neurodivergence, which simply refers to brain/nervous system functioning that differs from societal norms. Neurodivergence can be innate (e.g., autism) or acquired (e.g., cPTSD, traumatic brain injury). Many of us are multiply neurodivergent like Asasumasu. IFS encourages us to move away from often-dehumanizing diagnostic categories and to become curious toward our unique inner workings.


Better understanding how my internal system came into the world and was forged by life experiences has been tremendously healing. I was inspired by own journey to become trained in IFS, and I would be honored to help you navigate this winding path. I see therapy as a space where you are welcome to show up exactly as you are, and we will work collaboratively to customize your path to healing and greater ease.

An artistic image of a neuron network

Credit: chenspec, pixabay

Services

I am an IFS practitioner based in Europe, and I offer online sessions (60 min) to clients around the world in English or French. It is also possible to do longer sessions upon request. I work with people who know themselves to be neurodivergent or who suspect they might be. In addition to providing neurodivergence-adapted IFS therapy, I also help clients prepare for and/or integrate experiences during altered states of consciousness (whether micro or macro).


I strongly believe that mental health services should be accessible to all, which is why I apply equity pricing, which ranges from 50 euros/dollars per session to 150 euros/dollars per session. I trust you to identify where you find yourself on the scale of economic privilege. I also have a limited number of pay-what-you-can slots.

Blue leaves against a black background



Want to go further?

Schedule a call

You can set up a free 30-min discovery call with me to see if one-on-one sessions would be a good fit for you (here). You can also reach out to me by email.



Try a meditation

I have developed a number of IFS meditations in collaboration with my colleague Emma Goldman-Sherman (bravespace.online). You can try one out for free on Insight Timer. Topics include unblending, nervous system regulation, masking, resourcing, neurodivergent Self, and much more.



Sign up for group work

Emma Goldman-Sherman and I also offer a pay-what-you-can Neuroaffirming Focused Parts Work Group on the second Saturday of each month. You can register below:


I'm here to support you on this journey

Two leafcutter ants carrying pieces of leaves

Credit: David Maw, pixabay

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