About True Roots Therapy

True Roots Therapy was founded on a simple belief: when people are given the time and space to reconnect with themselves, others and the natural world, wellbeing can flourish.

I'm Jessika Lack, Founder and Director of True Roots Therapy, and a practising Occupational Therapist based in West Sussex.

Throughout my career, I've worked across NHS mental health services and specialist education, supporting people experiencing trauma, mental ill health and neurodivergence. Alongside this, I've witnessed the impact that chronic stress, compassion fatigue and occupational imbalance can have on colleagues working in demanding environments. Time and again, I saw talented, dedicated professionals putting the needs of others before their own, often losing the very occupations and experiences that once helped them feel grounded, creative and connected

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It led me to ask a simple question:

What if workplace wellbeing wasn't about asking people to do more, but instead giving them permission to slow down and reconnect with what already supports their health?

That question became the foundation of True Roots Therapy.

As an Occupational Therapist, I believe that health is shaped by the everyday occupations we engage in, the environments we spend time in and the relationships that give our lives meaning. My workshops bring these elements together through nature connection, meaningful creative occupation and opportunities for reflection—creating experiences that encourage participants to step away from the demands of work and reconnect with themselves and one another.

This isn't about producing perfect artwork or teaching another stress management technique. It's about rediscovering curiosity, embracing creativity without judgement and remembering the value of simply being present. In a world that often celebrates productivity above all else, I believe there is real value in creating space for play, reflection and meaningful connection.

I qualified as an Occupational Therapist from Oxford Brookes University in 2017 and later completed a Master's degree in Mental Health Recovery and Social Inclusion whilst working full-time. My practice is trauma-informed, neurodiversity-affirming and grounded in current evidence from occupational science, mental health and workplace wellbeing research.

Outside of work, you'll usually find me walking woodland trails, hiking, camping, gardening or painting. Nature has always been the place where I feel most grounded, and those experiences continue to shape both my personal life and my professional practice.

True Roots Therapy reflects my belief that wellbeing isn't something we achieve by working harder or adding more to our to-do lists. It grows when we create opportunities to reconnect with the occupations, environments and relationships that help us thrive.

Alongside my work as an Occupational Therapist within specialist education, I currently offer workplace wellbeing experiences through True Roots Therapy during school holiday periods. As the business grows, my vision is to expand these opportunities while establishing a Community Interest Company (CIC) to increase access to nature-based, creative occupation-focused wellbeing for people who may otherwise struggle to access timely support, including unpaid carers, parents experiencing postnatal mental health challenges, and individuals experiencing stress, anxiety or burnout.

At the heart of True Roots Therapy is a simple belief: sometimes the most important thing we can do is return to what keeps us well.

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