An Integrative Approach
-
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based therapy that supports healing from trauma and distressing experiences. During pregnancy, postpartum, and parenting, unresolved trauma can show up as anxiety, emotional reactivity, or intrusive memories.
EMDR is commonly used to support birth trauma, pregnancy loss, medical trauma, and earlier life experiences that resurface during parenthood. It helps the brain reprocess memories so they feel less intense and less disruptive in daily life.
-
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a therapy that focuses on helping individuals relate differently to thoughts and emotions. Rather than trying to eliminate distress, ACT builds awareness and flexibility in how internal experiences are handled.
ACT is skills-based and can be especially helpful for perinatal and postpartum anxiety, depression, OCD, and parenting stress, supporting values-driven action and greater emotional steadiness.
-
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is an evidence-based therapy for anxiety and OCD, including perinatal and postpartum OCD. ERP involves gradually facing feared thoughts or situations while reducing compulsive or avoidant behaviours.
This approach helps individuals learn that thoughts are not dangerous and do not need to be controlled, reducing anxiety and increasing confidence in daily parenting and decision-making.
-
Gottman-informed couples therapy is an evidence-based approach that supports relationships during major transitions such as pregnancy and parenthood. Stress, sleep deprivation, and mental health challenges can place strain on connection and communication.
This approach focuses on strengthening emotional connection, improving communication, and building effective conflict management so couples can navigate parenthood as a team.
Rather than forcing your experience into one framework, I draw from multiple well-researched approaches and tailor them intentionally to support you— your values, your relationships, and your goals.
The perinatal period and parenting have a way of stirring up everything—your nervous system, your relationships, your sense of identity, and sometimes experiences from long before you became a parent. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, anxious, disconnected, or not like yourself, it doesn’t mean you’re failing. It means you’re navigating a deeply human transition.
At Flourish Perinatal Counselling, I use an integrative, evidence-based therapeutic approach because no single model can fully capture the complexity of pregnancy, postpartum, or parenting. These seasons are dynamic. Your needs change, and your therapy should be able to change with you.
Your therapy is not a rigid plan. It’s a living process.
What you need in early pregnancy may look different postpartum. What helps during a crisis may shift as things stabilize. At times, therapy may focus on practical skills and coping strategies. At other times, it may slow down to process deeper emotional experiences.
We adjust as your needs evolve, always centering your values, your capacity, and your goals.
Why Evidence-Based Care Matters
All of the therapies I use are evidence-based, meaning they are supported by research and clinical best practices. This is especially important during the perinatal period, when mental health care needs to be both effective and safe.
At the same time, therapy is not about fixing you or striving for perfection. It’s about building understanding, resilience, and self-compassion—so you can show up for yourself and your family in ways that feel aligned with the person you want to be and sustainable.
At Flourish Perinatal Counselling, therapy is about growth that feels grounded, supportive, and real.
Introduction to EMDR Therapy. Courtesy of EMDR International Association.
Couples Postpartum Preparation
Having a baby changes you.
The transformation you go through after having a baby impacts all aspects of you- your body, your hormones, your identity, routine, your responsibilties and your relationships.
I offer a specially designed program to help couples prepare for this transition so they can survive, and flourish, in the early postpartum period.
Three 1-hour sessions with a focus on providing education, reflection and discussion on how to protect your mental health and how to support one another as a couple.
Session 1 : Tending to yourself.
Session 2: Nourish your relationship.
Session 3: Cultivating Support
For couples preparing for the arrival of a baby or in the early postpartum months. Babies are welcome to attend.
Topics covered include:
Essential Self Care
Managing expectations of yourself
Sharing responsibilties
Staying connected as a couple
Building appreciation
Identifying support around you
Vistiors and boundaries in the early days
Asking for support
Risk factors and signs of perinatal mental health challenges
Fees & Coverage
Individual Counselling $175 per 1 hr session
Couples Counselling $185 per 1 hr session
Receipts are provided for extended health insurance.
Please check with your provider regarding coverage. Counselling services provided by a Registered Social Worker (MSW) are covered by many extended health insurance plans.
I am an NIHB-Approved Provided (Non-Insured Health Benefits). Counselling available for eligible First Nations and Inuit clients, at no cost to them.