Skip to main content
Joy MacKey profile photo
Accepting Clients + Offers Free Consultation

Joy MacKey

Registered Psychotherapist

  • She/her
  • $175/session
  • In Person Sessions in Guelph, ON
  • Virtual Sessions in select regions.
Book SessionView Schedule

Meet Joy

My experiences and interests give me a unique understanding of…

  • Being inspired to become a psychotherapist through my own therapeutic journey and understanding firsthand that difficult times and adversity can feel overwhelming, but do not have to be faced alone.

  • Navigating personal experiences with grief, divorce, work-related stress, overwhelm, parental burnout, and anxiety, which have reinforced my belief in the value of having support during life's challenges.

  • ADHD and neurodiversity, through both my professional work and personal experience.

  • Teachers and students; as a retired high school teacher of 29 years, I specialize in supporting teachers, students and clients with ADHD and am passionate about helping people understand themselves, rewrite their stories, and thrive.

  • The unique challenges faced by educators. My background in education gives me a deep understanding of the demands, stressors, and work-life balance struggles that many teachers experience.

  • Combining nearly three decades of teaching experience with my clinical training to offer a unique therapeutic perspective that integrates education, psychoeducation, and psychotherapy.

  • Supporting people in alleviating suffering, breaking unhealthy patterns, healing from difficult experiences, and creating meaningful personal growth.

My clients describe me using words like…

  • Client and heart centered.

  • Passionate, compassionate, empathetic, present, supportive.

  • Excellent at building therapeutic alliances built on trust and safety.

  • Non-judgemental support based on unconditional positive regard.

  • Deeply human and a very self-aware professional therapist.

Expertise

Areas of Focus

Specializations

  • ADHD
  • Burnout
  • Career Stress

By category

  • ADHD
My clients often self-identify as…

  • Adults and college students

  • Teachers

  • High level professionals and executives facing burnout

  • Neurodiverse students and adults

  • Parents, families and couples

  • Populations that desire to work towards personal growth.

  • Vulnerable and authentic and understand that progress requires true honesty.

I’m the right therapist for you if…

  • You want to set boundaries that create work/life balance.

  • You want support to set professional boundaries that allow you to leave work at work without crushing guilt, protect your weekends and reclaim your peace.

  • You want to feel genuinely heard and safe enough to tackle vulnerable topics.

  • You want to feel validated and work with a world class professional.

  • You want to build a therapeutic relationship that is built on trust and effective communication.

Therapeutic Frameworks & Approach

  • ADHD Coaching
  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
  • Collaborative Therapy
  • Compassion-Based Approach
  • Compassionate Inquiry
  • Eco Psychology
  • Family Systems Therapy
  • Mindfulness
  • Mindfulness & Meditation
  • Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
  • Narrative Therapy
  • Person-Centered
  • Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)
  • Somatic Practice
  • Walk & Talk Therapy
If we work together you can expect to feel…

  • Heard, understood, and genuinely cared for in a warm, authentic, and supportive therapeutic relationship.

  • Comfortable being yourself in a space built on trust, honesty, and genuine connection.

  • A renewed sense of hope as we work together to navigate challenges and uncover pathways forward.

  • Relief from the weight of what you've been carrying and greater confidence in your ability to cope.

  • Increased mental clarity, insight, and understanding after each session.

Populations Served

  • Teens (13-17)
  • Adults (18+)

Practice Details

Service Offerings & Rates

  • Initial Consultation
    Free
  • Individual Session
    $175Sliding scale offered on case by case basis
  • Couples Session
    $195Sliding scale offered on case by case basis
  • Family Session
    $195Sliding scale offered on case by case basis
During your free consultation, we’ll go over…

  • What brings you to therapy and explore what is going on in your life. 

  • How therapy works and your therapeutic goals.

If we work together you can expect me to…

  • Help you feel safe, accepted, and supported throughout our work together.

  • Give you space to vent and validate, where you feel cherished, valued, and genuinely cared for.

  • Support you in finding a sense of peace, even amidst life's challenges and chaos.

  • Offer a compassionate and non-judgmental environment where you can be fully yourself. 

Insurance & Benefits Coverage

Coverage depends on the insurance plan. Check with your insurance provider to see if your plan covers one of the listed designations.

  • Registered Psychotherapist

For insurance purposes, this therapist’s home province is Ontario.

In Person Sessions

In Person Location

15A Cork Street, Guelph, ON, N1H 2W7, Canada

Virtual Sessions

AlbertaBritish ColumbiaManitobaNewfoundland & LabradorNorthwest TerritoriesNunavutOntarioSaskatchewanYukon Territory

Eligible provinces and territories are highlighted in green.

  • Alberta
  • British Columbia
  • Newfoundland and Labrador
  • Northwest Territories
  • Saskatchewan
  • Manitoba
  • Nunavut
  • Yukon
  • Ontario

More Info

Education

  • Wilfrid Laurier University

    Master of Arts · 2023

  • York University

    Master of Arts · 1994

  • University of Toronto

    Bachelor of Education · 1997

  • Trent University

    Honours Bachelor of Arts · 1993

Certifications

  • Equine Therapy Arch Arenas for Change

    Narrative & Nature Therapy · 2024

  • Relationship & Dating Coaching

    Love Strategies · 2025

  • Wilfrid Laurier University

    Psychotherapeutic Approaches to Trauma · 2018

  • CADDAC

    Thriving with ADHD in School and Work · 2023

  • College of Teachers

    Certified Teacher · 1997

  • Wilfrid Laurier University

    CBT & DBT Certification · 2019

Languages

English, French

Booking FAQ

Does Joy offer direct billing with my insurance? Or how does payment work?

First Session charges each session directly to your credit card. Once each session occurs and your card is charged, you’ll receive a PDF receipt by email with all the details you need to get reimbursed (therapist name, designation, license number, address, etc.). You can then submit the receipt to your insurance company for reimbursement if you have coverage. We always recommend checking your coverage with your provider before booking.

How do I know if Joy is a good fit?

You are the expert when it comes to knowing who’s the right fit. Watch the therapist’s video at the top of their profile and see whether the message and energy resonate. If you feel drawn to speak with them, listen to your gut — booking a free consultation is a great first step to assess fit.

What if I see no available times to book a session?

If the therapist is listed as accepting clients and you see no available times, it’s likely they haven’t updated their availability (sorry about that!). In this case, you can to see what times they have available.

Can I contact Joy before booking an appointment?

If you still have questions before booking that can’t be answered during your free consultation, you can .

Book with Joy

View Joy’s availability and book a session in just a few clicks.