JULIA SMITH AND JANE DONOVAN: INSIDE INSIGHT MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELLING | EP 158

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. Their expertise is further deepened by their research on the intersection of mental illness and identity, culminating in a Master’s thesis that was nominated for a Governor General’s Award. With over 10 years of experience, Julia provides personalized care tailored to each individual’s unique needs.

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. Her previous experience includes serving as Clinical Supervisor at New Start Counselling in Halifax and as a Counsellor at Bridges Institute. She is also a sought-after speaker at national and international conferences on Narrative Therapy.

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!

‘I remember when I finally graduated, and I needed to find a supervisor to get my full license. I really wanted to have a narrative therapist supervise me, and a friend recommended you … And luckily you had time to see me!’ – Julia Smith

Jane supervised Julia, and once Julia opened up their practice, they invited Jane to be an associate, which Jane accepted. Now, they have spent years working together as colleagues and learning from each other in new ways.

‘I feel that we’re colleagues and it’s an equal partnership in that we both have so much to offer to each other, so it’s a great mutual relationship.’ – Jane Donovan

Starting to work as a therapist

Jane’s desire to work as a therapist started back in high school when her guidance counsellor told her she would suit the counselling profession well.

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

‘I met my husband whose parents are both therapists and it became more normalized for me, and I guess being a potter wasn’t the easiest thing financially to do. I knew I needed to make a change, so I decided to go back to my original idea of being a therapist.’ – Jane Donovan

Working as a therapist, Jane has still been able to use her creativity with art in a new way with narrative therapy and in helping her clients.

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 and fueled her desire to become the therapist for others that she did not have.

‘I love the idea of being a guide rather than an expert with clients. On the theory side, I love how narrative therapy is queer theory in action. It was lovely to learn about post-modern social construction and how narrative therapy is that in action, of helping people to figure out for themselves what is right for them.’ – Julia Smith

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.

‘I think [narrative therapy] is so respectful that that really draws me to it. Being kind [and] caring. I guess the other thing that’s really important to me is relationships. I think that we are the relationships that we have with each other … So focusing on relationships in my work makes me happy.’ – Jane Donovan

Julia agrees and shares these sentiments with Jane. For Julia, one of the guiding principles of narrative therapy is viewing the person and the issue at hand as two separate things.

‘As narrative therapists, it’s fun to externalize problems and explore the relationship between the problem and the person – and there is so much movement when you view the problem as something separate to yourself.’ – Julia Smith

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. They enjoy their dynamic, work well together, and appreciate each other’s contributions to the practice.

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

Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn

About Julia

Julia Smith, MEd, RCT, CCC is a registered Counselling Therapist who owns a group private practice in Halifax, Nova Scotia. She is also the owner of Fearless Practice Consulting and hosts the Fearless Practice podcast. Through the Fearless Practice podcast, she provides invaluable insights and practical advice on starting and growing a successful Canadian private practice. Julia’s wealth of knowledge also extends beyond the podcast, as she provides personalized one-on-one consulting to therapists who are feeling burnt out and overwhelmed with their solo or group private practices. With Julia’s expertise, therapists can confidently navigate the complexities of owning a private practice and find work life – balance.

Julia also has written articles for the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy association. You can learn more at www.ccpa-accp.ca/blog/.

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