Jess Ainslie

Jess is a wilderness psychotherapy practitioner in training who specialises in using the outdoors as a powerful therapeutic environment. With a career spent guiding, teaching and helping people move beyond their comfort zones, Jess supports clients to reconnect with themselves, build resilience, and move towards meaningful goals.

Whether someone is feeling stuck, overwhelmed, disconnected from themselves, or unsure of their next steps, Jess helps them uncover their inner compass. Her work is particularly suited to clients who struggle with low confidence, emotional suppression, stress or life transitions — especially those who feel traditional in-room therapy doesn’t quite meet their needs.

Jess has an extensive outdoor career, having guided expeditions in Nicaragua, the High Tatras, and most recently, self-supported winter expeditions in remote East Greenland as principal guide for The Polar Academy. She has spent many winters guiding ski touring and winter walking in the Scottish Highlands, and summers teaching rock climbing, mountaineering and mountain biking. She has also designed and taught outdoor education modules at degree level for UHI.

As a parent, adventurer, and perpetual learner, Jess thrives on challenge, unpredictability and personal growth — believing that the outdoors invites us to rediscover our courage, creativity, and connection. She describes nature as “the greatest therapy office there is.”
Jess is currently studying for the Level 5 Diploma in Wilderness Psychotherapy (NCFE accredited, SCoPEd compliant) and building on her Level 3 Certificate in Advanced Wilderness Therapeutic Approaches.