Meet Jess!
Jess Dickie is the Owner and Lead Music Therapist of Connections Music Therapy. With a passion for helping others through music and the ability to connect with individuals of all ages and needs, Jess has developed a reputation for providing fun, individualized sessions for all.
Jess attended the University of Windsor from 2009-2014, as an Honours Bachelor of Music Therapy student, percussion major, while also completing a minor in Child Psychology. During this time, they did practicum placements in Long Term Care, a Preschool for Children with Autism, a high school with special needs classes and youth with mental health challenges, as well as an inpatient residence for adults with severe mental illness. It was during these school placements that Jess discovered music could reach individuals in a way other typical therapies seemed to struggle with at times.
In 2012, Jess had their clinical writing in music therapy assessments, treatment plans, and treatment summaries published in the University of Windsor Courseware and received an Excellence in Clinical Writing Award from the university in 2013.
Jess completed their 1000 hour clinical music therapy internship with a private practice in Southwestern Ontario, where they provided music therapy to a variety of Long Term Care homes and group homes for adults with special needs.
Upon graduation from the University of Windsor in 2014, and specifically after the placement at the Summit Centre for Preschool Children with Autism, Jess knew they wanted to discover more about how and why their use of music therapy could make a connection in a way that behaviour therapy at times, could not.
Jess went on to complete the Autism and Behavioural Science Program at Fanshawe College and graduated with honours in 2015. During this program, they learned the techniques, methodology, and pedagogy of behaviour therapists so that they could then combine the skills of both professions – music therapy and behaviour therapy. Combining these skill sets has allowed Jess and the CMT team to most effectively reach and achieve goals for individuals with a wide variety of needs.
On Thanksgiving weekend in October of 2015, Connections Music Therapy was born. Since then, Jess has worked with over 100 clients privately, 10 Long Term Care Homes/Adult Day Programs, and partnered with a variety of community organizations, including TVCC (formerly Thames Valley Children’s Centre), Vanier Children’s Mental Wellness, London’s Children’s Hospital, Children’s Aid Society, Grand Erie District School Board, Canadian Deaf/Blind Association, Participation House, Woodstock District & Developmental Services, among others.
Autism, mental health, and diverse needs are close to Jess’s heart not only professionally, but personally as well. With many people close to them being neurodivergent, including themself, and as a mother of two young boys, one of whom has AuDHD (Autism & ADHD) and one of whom has sensory processing disorder and anxiety, Jess sees neurodivergence from varying lenses that brings a unique and understanding perspective to their practice.
Being involved in the community and giving back is very important to them. Prior to being a proud parent, Jess was a member of the Kiwanis Club of Ingersoll and on the Board of Directors for Ingersoll Support Services Inc. Currently, Jess is on the Board of Directors for her son’s daycare and coaches both her sons’ baseball teams and hockey teams. With a strong belief that everyone who seeks services should be able to receive them, if possible, they currently provide two fully subsidized music therapy contracts to families in need. Jess participates in community events, such as Suicide Prevention Day and TVCC’s Therapeutic Recreation Open House as well as public speaking engagements for community organizations.
Not only is accessibility a priority, but as a proud member of the Rainbow Community, Jess has created and fosters a safe space for all.
