Mental Health Support and Animal-Assisted Interventions in Lancaster and Buffalo, New York
What Makes Us Different
The Human-Animal Bond
Our animal-assisted therapy (AAT) approach integrates specially trained therapy animals into the therapeutic process, creating a multi-sensory experience that engages clients on emotional, physical, and relational levels. By blending evidence-based animal-assisted interventions with traditional mental health therapies, we offer a uniquely individualized and innovative pathway that widens clients’ nervous system capacity (“Window of Tolerance”), deepens healing, and enriches the therapeutic relationship while increasing a client’s sense of safety.
Our Business Model
As a private-pay practice, Canine Connected Counseling increases client confidentiality, opens access to special individualized treatment approaches, and provides more robust therapeutic services, including longer session options, group therapy, and workshops.
Canine Connected Counseling accepts HSA/FSA cards and can provide superbills for out-of-network (OON) benefits. Please call our office for more information or visit our pricing page to see a detailed breakdown of costs for our variety of services.
Specialities
Neurodiversity
Chronic Illness
Trauma
Innovative Mental Health Therapy for Children and Adults, Ages 4 and Up
At Canine Connected Counseling we focus on providing comprehensive mental health support to children and adults ages 4 and up who struggle with ADHD, autism, chronic illness, complex trauma, depression, and/or anxiety.
We understand that many of these diagnoses overlap, which can make for confusing and often frustrating gaps in treatment from misdiagnosis and the mishandling of presenting symptoms.
Canine Connected Counseling strives to look beyond the medical model and the DSM, which often overpathologizes symptoms, and instead focus on the person as a whole.
Canine Connected Counseling offers a therapeutic framework that emphasizes the mind-body connection through a variety of evidence-based therapies such as safe and sound protocol (SSP), animal-assisted therapy (AAT), and IFS-informed EMDR.
If you’re tired of the standard talk therapy formats that just don't fully meet your needs, we are here to help.
Services
Clinical Practice
Individual Therapy
One-on-One person-centered, strengths-based, and trauma-informed mental health counseling focused on meeting your mental health needs.
Groups & Workshops
Therapeutic groups for mental health and holistic well-being covering a variety of topics. Kept intentionally small, between 6 and 12 participants, to foster deeper connections and encourage intuitive processing.
For Professionals
Consultations
Case reviews and guidance in one-on-one or group settings for licensed mental health professionals.
Trainings
Providing professionals and clients with psychoeducation on a variety of coping strategies, therapy treatment modalities, and more.
Convenient in-person services available for Western New York residents
5775 Broadway Lancaster, NY 14086
Telehealth/virtual appointments are available to residents across New York State. Call our office to check availability.
Certified Animal-Assisted Interventions Specialist
Jessica is certified in Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) through the Association of Animal-Assisted Intervention Professionals (AAAIP) and is required to complete CE hours to maintain her certification. She has taken the extra step to have her animal-assisted therapy practice with her therapy dog professionally evaluated as a special distinction that highlights her dedication to animal welfare and intervention fidelity.
Jessica integrates evidence-based animal-assisted therapy into multiple treatment modalities, such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), somatic psychotherapies, and Internal Family Systems (IFS)-informed parts work.
Professional Affiliations
