Meet Our Therapists
Barbara Woods, Ph.D., CCC, Counselling Therapist
Dr. Woods specializes in helping parents, therapists, and educators understand what lies beneath a child’s behavior.
What is often labeled as defiance, anxiety, or disconnection is frequently the expression of a dysregulated nervous system shaped by trauma and attachment disruption. Her work focuses on bringing clarity to these patterns and creating structured pathways toward regulation, connection, and resilience within the family system.
She is the founder of Willow’s Bend Counselling Centre in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, where she provides specialized psychotherapy for children, teens, and families navigating intergenerational trauma and attachment challenges. Her clinical work is grounded in a neuroscience-informed, relational approach that integrates multigenerational assessment with practical, family-centered intervention.
In addition to clinical practice, she trains and mentors professionals through the Intergenerational Resilience Institute, supporting a growing community of over 8,200 professionals. Her work draws from Interpersonal Neurobiology, Polyvagal Theory, Contextual Family Therapy, Positive Psychology, and Mindful Parenting, brought together through the Intergenerational Resilience Method.
Alongside the depth of this work, my Bernedoodle, Bjorn, is a steady and often joyful presence in the therapy space—offering moments of connection, warmth, and lightness within the healing process.
Jen Lomonico, MS-MHC, CCC, Counselling Therapist
Jennifer Lomonico is a compassionate and experienced counselling therapist who has been providing services at Willow’s Bend since 2014. She is a Certified Canadian Counsellor with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association, and holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counselling. She brings over a decade of experience
working with children, adolescents, and adults. Jennifer has specialized training in trauma and play therapy, and her work is deeply informed by an understanding of how experiences are held in both the mind and body.
Jennifer offers a warm, affirming, and non-judgmental space where clients can explore life’s challenges and move toward meaningful healing and change. She works with individuals navigating trauma, loss, anxiety, depression, attachment disruptions, and other significant life stressors, including those who may feel stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected. Her work is grounded in respect, cultural sensitivity, and a deep belief in each person’s capacity for growth, healing and change. Offering trauma-informed, body-aware therapy for children, adolescents, and adults.
Jennifer’s approach is primarily person-centered, viewing everyone she meets with as the expert of their own life. She integrates a range of evidence-based and body-informed modalities, including Mindfulness-Integrated Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Brainspotting, play therapy, and polyvagal-informed interventions that support nervous system regulation. Jennifer thoughtfully tailors her approach to meet the unique needs, goals, and experiences of each person she works with. She provides a gentle, supportive space to heal, grow, and reconnect with yourself.
Mr. Bjorn Woods, Therapy Dog (In Training)
Bjorn is a Bernedoodle who has been a Certified Therapy Dog since 2023. He loves greeting clients and tries his hardest to follow his training to be a calm, confident dog. Sometimes it is very hard for him! He is very curious about feet, lip gloss, and diving into purses! He also likes to walk himself by carrying his own leash. He is very dedicated, and sometimes this leads him to unexpectedly open doors to greet clients.
(We understand that some people are uncomfortable or scared of dogs and respect them by only allowing Bjorn to participate with the clients when they have given permission. Please let your therapist know if you are uncomfortable with dogs. Bjorn will be happy to take a nap in a different room during your session!)
Miss Grizzlie Woods, Comfort Dog (In Loving Memory)
Grizzlie was a a silly girl that captured hearts through her work as a Comfort Dog. She supported many people on their healing journey at Willow's Bend. For some, she was the calming presence that helped them get through difficult sessions. She also taught a lot of children to accept themselves as they are because she is perfectly imperfect with one ear up and one ear down. She unexpectely passed away in July 2022. Thank you for your presence and service, Grizzlie!
