Certified Perinatal Mental Health Specialist
Perinatal & Postpartum Mental Health Therapy in Kitchener-Waterloo
Pregnancy and the postpartum period can bring feelings you weren't expecting. Support is available from a certified perinatal mental health specialist — in person near Kitchener-Waterloo or online anywhere in Ontario.
- PMH-C Certified
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- MSW, RSW
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- 20+ Years Experience
What "Perinatal" Means
The perinatal period spans from conception through the first year after birth. It's one of the most demanding transitions a person can go through, and one of the least talked about honestly.
Many people expect to feel joy. When what shows up instead is anxiety, numbness, disconnection, anger, or grief, it's easy to assume something is wrong with you. Often, it's a recognized and treatable experience with a name — not a personal failure.
You Don't Have to Be in Crisis to Deserve Support
Perinatal mental health challenges show up differently for everyone. Many people who could use support don't recognize what they're feeling as something therapy can help with:
- Anxiety that won't switch off
- Feeling disconnected from your baby
- Intrusive or distressing thoughts
- Not feeling like yourself
- Rage or irritability that surprises you
- Numbness or emotional flatness
- Grief or ambivalence about becoming a parent
- Birth trauma, or a delivery that didn't go the way you expected
- Trouble sleeping even when your baby sleeps
- Feeling like your partner or family doesn't understand
- Guilt about how you're feeling
- Fertility challenges, pregnancy loss, or neonatal loss
- Anxiety or depression during pregnancy
- Struggling with the identity shift into parenthood
"Helps parents understand their inner world so they can show up with more presence and confidence for their families."
Working With a Certified Perinatal Mental Health Specialist
What PMH-C means: PMH-C (Perinatal Mental Health Certified) is a formal certification through Postpartum Support International, requiring specialized training in perinatal mood and anxiety disorders beyond standard graduate education. Most therapists who work with new parents don't hold this credential — Heather does.
Heather's approach: With 20+ years of experience and training in Internal Family Systems, CBT, Narrative Therapy, attachment theory, self-compassion, mindfulness, and polyvagal theory, Heather's work is grounded in the idea that understanding your own inner world helps you show up more fully for your children. She also holds a Child Sleep Consultant certification — a practical specialty that pairs naturally with perinatal mental health work.
Ways to Work With Heather
Individual perinatal therapy
One-on-one sessions, online or in-person, 55 minutes, at your own pace.
$150 per session
Two-parent support sessions
For both partners navigating the transition together — communication, role changes, and the uneven mental load that often comes with a new baby.
$175 per session
Child sleep consultation
A specialized service integrating Heather's Child Sleep Consultant training with her understanding of parental mental health.
$250 per consultation
Sleep consultation follow-up
A shorter check-in to adjust the plan after an initial child sleep consultation.
$75 per follow-up
Online or In-Person
Online sessions are especially useful for parents of newborns who can't easily leave the house, or anyone outside the immediate Kitchener-Waterloo area — available anywhere in Ontario. In-person sessions take place at our St. Agatha office. Both are equally effective.
Common Questions
Is what I'm feeling postpartum depression?
There's a range — "baby blues" are common and usually resolve within about two weeks; postpartum depression persists longer; postpartum anxiety is common and sometimes more prevalent than depression. Only a qualified clinician can properly assess what you're experiencing — if you're unsure, that's a good reason to book, not a reason to wait.
Can therapy help if I'm still pregnant?
Yes — prenatal therapy is well-supported. Addressing anxiety, birth fears, relationship changes, and identity shifts before birth can reduce the risk of postpartum complications.
My partner thinks I'm fine. Can I still get support?
Yes. Your experience of the perinatal period is your own — you don't need anyone else's agreement to seek support.
I had a difficult experience in a previous pregnancy. Can we work on that?
Yes — unprocessed perinatal experiences from earlier pregnancies, including birth trauma, loss, or a NICU stay, are a valid and common focus of therapy, even years later.
Is this covered by my insurance?
Sessions with Heather are covered by most extended health plans that include MSW or RSW services. We provide a receipt for every session — confirm your specific coverage with your insurer. See fees and insurance →
What about fathers and non-birthing partners?
Perinatal mental health affects non-birthing partners too, and it's often under-recognized. Heather works with all parents, not only birthing parents.
When should I seek urgent help?
If you're having thoughts of harming yourself or your baby, or feel unable to keep yourself or your family safe, seek help immediately: call 911, go to your nearest emergency department, or call Here24/7 at 1-844-437-3247. This page is not a crisis resource and is not monitored in real time.
You Deserve Support Too
Caring for a new life is one of the hardest things you'll ever do. Caring for yourself in the process isn't optional — it's what makes everything else possible.