OUR TEAM

Emily Pollak

Emily Pollak, Msw, Rsw (She/ Her) Clinical Director/ Owner

Emily founded Maternal Health Niagara with the vision of building the circle of support for individuals and families during the reproductive period and beyond. Emily's clinical focus is infertility, pregnancy loss, pregnancy, birth trauma, postpartum anxiety, and postpartum depression. She coaches people through “guilt” and managing the mental load of parenting.

Emily's passion for Maternal Mental Health was sparked during her own journey. Emily had hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) which took a toll on her physical and emotional wellness. During that time, Emily recognized the gap in services and was determined to build a circle of support for others. The combination of lived experience and extensive professional development allows Emily to bring a unique clinical lens od empathy and validation to her clients. She is down to earth and intuitive with a practical and accepting therapeutic style.

Emily has her Masters in Social Work from The Ohio State University (2007) and she is a Registered Social Worker in Ontario. Emily’s professional affiliations include Postpartum Support International (PSI) and Ontario Association of Social Workers (OSAW). In 2018, Emily sat on the OASW board for the Niagara branch.

Emily is part of Baby's Breath Canada which is a non-profit agency supporting individuals through miscarriage, stillbirth, and infant loss. She is a passionate maternal mental health advocate.

Building community capacity and awareness are essential in helping individuals and families build their circle of support. Emily has facilitated perinatal mental health training for health care professionals. She provides clinical consultation and mentorship to other therapists in the field of maternal mental health.

When she is off work, Emily enjoys spending time with her family. She would describe herself as HSP and loves to have some quiet time to reset. Her favourite thing to do is go for walks and send handwritten cards.

AVAILABILITY: DAYS & EVENINGS

Marie-Eve Nackers

Marie-Eve Nackers, PT (She/Her)

Marie-Eve Nackers is a Registered Physiotherapist in Ontario since 2012. She has a clinical focus on pelvic health and chronic pain. She uses an approach of connecting the mind and body as a key component of her assessment and treatment. Marie-Eve provides trauma-informed care to create a space where her patients feel supported. Her natural and down-to-earth approach makes her patients feel at ease. She utilizes breath work to build core stability and to stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system. Marie-Eve is passionate about providing her patients with education to understand their bodies and functioning. She is a member of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association. Marie-Eve is a francophone and can provide services in English and French.

AVAILABILITY: DAYS & EVENINGS

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Taylor

Taylor B. Msw, Rsw (She/Her)

Taylor completed her Masters of Social work from the University of Toronto and Bachelors of Social work from Wilfred Laurier University. She is a Registered Social Worker and member of the Ontario Association of Social Workers. Taylor's clinical passion for perinatal wellness has evolved through her role as a trained and certified labour and birth doula. She has bereavement training through Home Hospice Association and has supported families through infant and pregnancy loss. She displays strong compassion for the development and support of families from all walks of life and specializes in supporting those experiencing mental health adversities, grief and loss, disordered eating, sexuality and gender identity and self-esteem struggles. Taylor is part of the LGBTQ2S+ community.

In addition to her work at Maternal Health Niagara, she supports children at her full-time job and volunteers at Heartland Forest.

AVAILABILITY: EVENINGS ONLY

Amanda

Amanda, Msw, Rsw (She/Her)

Dedicated to ensuring families have compassionate support as they navigate the ups and downs of the perinatal period, Amanda is an experienced practitioner who believes in a holistic approach to well-being. She specializes in supporting those who are survivors of abuse and trauma and works to empower her clients with the skills to generate internal strength, calm, confidence and reduce stress, anxiety, fear and depression.

Amanda holds a Master of Social Work Degree from the University of Toronto as well as a Bachelor of Social Work and Bachelor of Sociology Degrees from McMaster University. Amanda achieved a Post Graduate Diploma in Advanced Social Work Practice Education from Goldsmiths University in London, England. She is a Registered Social Worker and member of the Ontario Association of Social Workers. She has undertaken her MBSR teacher qualification through the University of California, San Diego and qualified as a Nurturing Parent: Mindfulness and Well-Being Facilitator.

In addition to her practice at Maternal Health Niagara, Amanda Teaches Yoga, Mindfulness

AVAILABILITY: MONDAY pm, TUESDAY am, WEDNESDAY afternoon,

Aleta

Aleta, Bsw, Rsw (she/her)

Serving her community as a birth doula Aleta recognized the lack of mental health support for women/people and families through the various stages of conception, pregnancy, birth and parenthood. To better support her community, she decided to become a social worker with a special focus on maternal mental health and perinatal mood disorders.

Aleta has a deep understanding of the impact these periods of change and transformation can have on an individual’s mental health, sense of self and relationships.

She is passionate about helping her clients understand their mental health struggles and develop tools, strategies and supports to help them feel more in control of their lives and able to cope with the challenges that come with these stages of life.

She draws from her experiences and knowledge as a doula and training in perinatal mood disorders to provide judgement-free, client-centred, trauma-informed, inclusive, perinatal counselling services that help clients feel heard, supported, empowered, informed and connected to community resources.

Aleta is a Registered Social Worker (BSW, RSW) from Lakehead University, has completed Advanced Perinatal Mental Health Psychotherapy training through Postpartum Support International and is a member of the Ontario Association of Social work and Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers.

Clinical consultations with Emily Pollak, MSW, RSW

(Emily & Aleta's names on receipt)

AVAILABILITY: MONDAY pm, THUERSDAY am.

Meet the Circle of Support