JESSICA CONROY
PSYCHOLOGIST AND DIRECTOR
‘she/her’
Bachelor of Psychological Science (First Class Honours)
Master of Clinical Psychology
Bachelor of Learning Management
PhD Candidate
APS Clinical College Committee Member
Animal Assisted Intervention Specialist
HeartMath Certified Practitioner
Qualifications:
Jess is passionate about living fully and embracing creativity in all areas of life. She finds joy in art, fashion, reading, and travel, and feels most grounded when surrounded by animals or immersed in nature. Outside of her work, Jess cherishes time with her family, stays active through yoga and hiking, and can often be found recharging by the ocean—her favourite place to reflect and restore.
Jess (she/her) is a Clinical Psychologist who engages with compassion, purpose, and curiosity.
She has extensive experience supporting young people in public mental health and educational settings, as well as working with individuals of all ages in private practice. Jess provides therapy for a wide range of mental health concerns, including depression, anxiety, trauma, ADHD, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, and psychosis.
In addition to individual therapy, Jess has facilitated group programs for children and adults on topics such as anxiety, stress management, chronic pain, mood regulation, and overall psychological wellbeing.
AZLO
Certified through Therapy Dogs Australia
Jess integrates her therapy dog, Azlo, into sessions as a valuable therapeutic companion. Research supports the use of animal-assisted interventions for reducing physiological symptoms of stress and enhancing emotional regulation—particularly in clients experiencing anxiety, trauma, or relational difficulties.
Azlo offers gentle, calming presence and tactile comfort, helping clients regulate distress and feel more at ease in the therapy room. His presence fosters a sense of safety, trust, and connection—core conditions for effective therapeutic work.
For many clients, Azlo becomes a bridge to deeper emotional exploration. He provides grounding support during trauma processing and helps create a space where vulnerability feels safer and healing can unfold.
By enriching the therapeutic environment, Azlo strengthens the therapeutic alliance and enhances client engagement—making each session not only more comforting, but also more effective.
FAQ’S ABOUT AZLO
-
A THERAPY DOG is a dog who has been professionally trained and assessed to work with their handler (usually their owner) who has also been trained in the provision of ethical and professional delivery of Animal Assisted Services.
-
Enhance emotional regulation – Patting or being near a calm animal has been shown to lower blood pressure, reduce cortisol, and promote relaxation.
Activate the body’s natural calming system – The presence of a therapy dog can help regulate the nervous system by engaging the "social safety" system (ventral vagal state), which supports feelings of calm and connection (Polyvagal Theory).
Build trust and connection – Therapy animals help create a safe and nonjudgmental space, fostering a stronger therapeutic alliance and encouraging clients to open up.
Support neurodivergent clients – For individuals with ADHD, autism, or sensory sensitivities, therapy animals can provide grounding, comfort, and nonverbal emotional support.
Improve communication and social engagement – The shared presence of a therapy animal can ease social anxiety and support the development of interpersonal skills, especially in young people and those with trauma histories.
Aid trauma processing – During challenging therapeutic work (such as memory recall or exposure therapy), therapy animals offer grounding and emotional safety, helping clients stay present and feel supported.
Model healthy relationships – The bond between the therapist and therapy dog can serve as a gentle, live example of trust, attunement, and connection.
Release “feel-good” hormones – Simply being with a therapy dog can increase oxytocin and other mood-enhancing neurochemicals, helping clients feel safe, soothed, and emotionally supported.
-
Whether you’re looking for comfort, connection, or a calming presence, Azlo can be a valuable part of your therapeutic journey. He works alongside Jess and is available as a resource in all sessions to help ease anxiety, build confidence, or simply provide a friendly face to accompany you.
