Meet the Circle of Support

Registered Social Worker (MSW, BSSW, RSW) Psychotherapist

Emily founded Maternal Health Niagara with the vision of building a circle of support for individuals and families during the reproductive period and beyond. Emily’s clinical focus is infertility, surrogacy, pregnancy and infant loss,  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 perinatal journey in pregnancy loss and complications. Emily had hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), which took a toll on her physical and emotional wellness. From her experiences during the perinatal period, Emily recognized the service gap and was determined to build a circle of support for others. The combination of lived experience and extensive professional development allows Emily to bring her clients a unique clinical lens of empathy and validation. She is down-to-earth and intuitive, with a realistic and accepting therapeutic style.

Emily has her Master’s in Social Work from The Ohio State University (2007) and is a Registered Social Worker in Ontario. She has over 15 years of experience supporting families. Emily’s professional affiliations include Postpartum Support International (PSI) and the Ontario Association of Social Workers (OSAW). Emily is trained in EMDR levels 1 & 2 and completed Advance Perinatal Training and FLASH.

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 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: 

Monday to Friday 9am-2pm

Ontario 

Virtual & In-Person

RATE A

NHIB provider

DIRECT BILLING:

Candian Armed Forces (CAF)

Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP)

Blue Cross

Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC)

Alberta Blue Cross 

Canadian Construction Workers Union  

BPA 

Greenshield

Canada Life 

EMPIRE LIFE

SSQ

Medic Construction

Chambers of Commerce (Johnston Group) 

CINUP (Johnston Group) 

Coughlin & Associates Ltd. 

D.A. Townley 

Desjardins Insurance

Equitable Life

First Canadian (Johnston Group)  

Industrial Alliance 

Johnston Group 

La Capitale/Beneva 

LiUNA Local 183 

LiUNA Local 506 

Maximum Benefit (Johnston Group) 

People Corporation 

RWAM 

TELUS AdjudiCare 

Union Benefits 

UV Insurance 

Registered Social Worker (MSW,  RSW) 

Jessica has an undergraduate degree in Psychology with a minor in Family Studies from the University of Guelph, a Bachelor of Education from the University of Toronto and a Master’s degree in Social Work from Wilfred Laurier. Jessica has received additional training in trauma-specific interventions and has spent most of her career supporting parents. 

She practices anti-oppressive and trauma-informed care. She uses an integrated, evidence-based approach focused on nurturing self-compassion and healing. 

Jessica is passionate about working with families and individuals during the prenatal and postpartum periods. A range of emotions can come up during this time, and having a person you can trust and lean on can make a world of difference. She supports families with infertility, perinatal mental health, infant loss, birth trauma, attachment, and parenting issues and provides relationship and co-parenting support. In addition to her perinatal work, Jessica has experience in addictions and supporting the LGBTQ community.

Some modalities that Jessica practices are cognitive behavioural therapy, dialectical behavioural therapy, somatic body experiencing, mindfulness-based stress reduction, cognitive restructuring, and narrative therapy. She completed Level 1 & 2 EMDR.

When not working, Jessica enjoys spending time with her partner, her little ones and her pets. She loves playing soccer, going for walks, eating donuts, and tending to her plants.

ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS

AVAILABILITY:

Monday- Friday 9-4pm

Ontario

Virtual Only

RATE A

DIRECT BILLING:

Greenshield

SSQ Insurance

Empire Life

Medic Construction

Registered Social Worker  (RSW, MSW,  BSW, BSc )

Heidi firmly believes that each person has the power to cope with and grow from their challenges. She is a Registered Social Worker who brings warmth, creativity, compassion, and empathy to her client relationships.

Heidi has multiple degrees, including a Bachelor of Social Work from York University, a Master of Social Work from Wilfrid Laurier University, and a Bachelor of Science in Clinical Exercise Physiology with a joint major in Spanish Language and Culture from Concordia University. Her educational background has cultivated a comprehensive lens to her work. She has experience with women and families in physical health, rehabilitation, and emotional and mental well-being. She utilizes various modalities to create a holistic therapeutic approach in her practice.

Heidi practices from anti-oppressive and strength-based perspectives and integrates modalities such as mindfulness-based therapies, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), body-based techniques, attachment, and FLASH. She prioritizes using a holistic and client-centred therapy approach focusing on the mind-body connection. She is trained as a postpartum doula with Doula Canada and has completed the Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders course through the Seleni Institute. She has also been trained in grief work, trauma, and fertility and is continuously participating in continuing education for her professional development. She regularly practices 5Rhythms and Ecstatic Dance which are movement meditation practices that strengthen the mind-body connection through authentic expression with oneself and others. She enjoys bringing these principles to sessions with clients.

In her leisure time, Heidi loves being in nature, playing hockey, dancing, and travelling.

Heidi speaks English and French

 
ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS

AVAILABILITY: 

Monday: 9-5pm

Tuesday: 11-7 pm

Wednesday: 9-5pm

Thursday: 9-5pm

Friday: 9-5pm
 

Virtual

Ontario & Quebec

RATE B

SLIDING SCALE* 

*available upon request

DIRECT BILLING:

Alberta Blue Cross 

Canadian Construction Workers Union  

BPA 

Greenshield

Canada Life 

EMPIRE LIFE

SSQ

Medic Construction

Chambers of Commerce (Johnston Group) 

CINUP (Johnston Group) 

Coughlin & Associates Ltd. 

D.A. Townley 

Desjardins Insurance

Equitable Life

First Canadian (Johnston Group)  

Industrial Alliance 

Johnston Group 

La Capitale/Beneva 

LiUNA Local 183 

LiUNA Local 506 

Maximum Benefit (Johnston Group) 

People Corporation 

RWAM 

TELUS AdjudiCare 

Union Benefits 

UV Insurance 

*application to be a provider with Blue Cross & NHIB- pending approval

Registered Social Worker (MSW, RSW)

Ashley has her Master of Social Work from Wilfrid Laurier University and is a Registered Social Worker in Ontario. Her care areas include working with children, youth, parents, perinatal mental health, and adults. She supports children and youth struggling with various mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, trauma, ODD, and ADHD. Her work with families and caregivers focuses on providing tools and resources to help meet their child’s social/emotional/behavioural needs and develop secure attachment.

Before being a Social Worker, she worked in the field of communication. Her lived experience perinatally was a catalyst for her to switch career paths. She is heartfelt to support people during the perinatal period through loss, pregnancy and postpartum. She brings deep compassion and care into all that she does. 

Ashley utilizes a variety of strength-based approaches, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectic Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness, Attachment Theory, and Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (EFFT).

Registered Social Worker at Maternal Health Niagara, Ashley works part-time at a children’s mental health agency. 

ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS

AVAILABILITY: 

Mondays 12-3 and 5-8 

Thursdays 9-3 

Virtual Only

Ontario & Alberta

RATE B

Sliding scale rates available upon request

R.P (Qualifying) Intern

Supervised by Emily Pollak, MSW, RSW

Krista is a student intern, completing her Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University. As a graduate student, Krista holds Qualifying registrant status with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Wilfrid Laurier University. Krista volunteers with Postpartum Support International, connecting people to resources and support. Krista believes all individuals are capable of meaningful change and approaches therapy collaboratively from a co-pilot stance.

Krista shares personal experiences with infertility, fertility treatments/loss, and pregnancy/birth/parenting during the early stages of the pandemic. Stemming from lived experience as a 2020 first-time mother, Krista developed a passion for supporting people, partners, and families facing complex and varied perinatal mental health issues. Krista appreciates the profound transitions throughout the perinatal period, all of which deserve compassionate, timely support toward positive well-being for individuals and families. 

Krista’s main care areas include perinatal mental health, anxiety, depression, fertility, pregnancy loss, parenting, and relationship issues. Krista utilizes a flexible, integrative approach to therapy, viewing the client as the expert of their lived experiences, using strategies from person-centred, Adlerian therapy, strengths-based, mindfulness, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), and somatic psychotherapy approaches. Krista is completing Gottman Level I & 2 training and completed a comprehensive certificate course in perinatal mental health through Postpartum Support International.

Outside of professional passions, Krista enjoys practicing yoga, spending time with her family, walking the dog, baking, decorating, and cheering on the Toronto Raptors!

AVAILABILITY:

Wednesday-Friday 9:30-3:00

Virtual Only

Ontario

RATE: $85

Receipts will be issued with Emily Pollak, MSW as a clinical supervisor 

Sliding Scale Space available- Please ask!

Registered Social Worker (MSW, BSW, RSW)

Taylor’s passion for perinatal wellness evolved through her role as a trained and certified labour and birth doula. She uses her frontline doula experience to shape components of her Social Work practice. Taylor supports people through their perinatal journey, including fertility, pregnancy, birth trauma and postpartum. She has bereavement training through Home Hospice Association and has helped families through infant and pregnancy loss. In addition, Taylor has completed Level 1 and Level 2 EMDR training and Advance Perinatal EMDR and FLASH. 

She displays strong compassion for the development and support of families from all walks of life. Her other care areas include grief and loss, disordered eating, self-esteem and sexuality and gender identity. Taylor is part of the LGBTQ2S+ community.

Taylor completed her Master of Social Work from the University of Toronto and Bachelor of Social work from Wilfred Laurier University. She is a Registered Social Worker and member of the Ontario Association of Social Workers and Postpartum Support International. 

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

WAITLIST*

AVAILABILITY: 

Monday 4:30-7:30pm *Virtual

Thursday: 4:45 pm-7:30 pm *In-person & Virtual

Ontario

RATE A

Registered Psychotherapist (RP)

Stacey's journey of working and supporting individuals has spanned over 20+ years. Stacey has a Bachelor of Arts in Women's Studies and Communications. Additionally, Stacey is working on completing her Master of Arts in Counselling and Psychotherapy.   As a Registered Psychotherapist, Stacey supports any individual looking for a change, guidance and something just to be different.

A core value in Stacey's practice is holistically supporting people by weaving mental and emotional support with their physical wellness. Stacey works with a non-judgemental approach to help you while accompanying and guiding you through your journey while supporting your goals. Utilizing evidence-based techniques and modalities combined with a holistic approach to therapy, Stacey will meet you where you are and work with you on identifying short- and long-term goals. 

Stacey offers various Modalities: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy & a Trauma-Informed Approach.

Stacey was born and raised in the Niagara Region and is strongly connected to the community. Finding a sense of balance has always been a priority for Stacey; teaching Yoga and Reiki is a way of centring and living mindfully. Stacey lives with her partner, cat, and dog. Her passions are hiking, paddle boarding, and exploring local eateries and coffee shops.

ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS

AVAILABILITY:

Tuesday 12-8pm

Wednesday 9-2pm

Saturday 9-1pm

In-Person & Virtual

Ontario 

RATE A plus HST

Registered Social Worker (BA, BSW, MSW, RSW)

Brittany is a Registered Social Worker, Psychotherapist with a Master of Social Work and over ten years of experience in social work and mental health. Brittany has been providing counselling and psychotherapy solely for over six years. Brittany is an Indigenous (Haudenosaunee, Cayuga) and Canadian settler and comes from a blended worldview when understanding life and wellness.       

After years of experience working with women, children, youth and families, Brittany’s interest in perinatal mental health specifically came with her journey into motherhood. It became evident to Brittany how significant of a life change parenthood is and how vital perinatal mental health support is in the well-being of the mother/gestational parent and the well-being of the entire family. Brittany has personal experience with pregnancy loss and pregnancy and parenting during the pandemic. Brittany’s other focus areas include trauma, attachment, anxiety, disordered eating, relationship issues and intimate partner violence.       

Brittany has training in trauma-informed and trauma-focused therapy (ATTCH Niagara: Trauma Integration Clinician Certification), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Internal Family Systems. Brittany completed the Canadian Perinatal Mental Health Training (CPMHT). Therapeutic modalities aside, Brittany has a relational approach to therapy and believes the single most factor to positive outcomes in therapy is the client-therapist relationship.

NOT ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS

AVAILABILITY: 

Mondays 9-4pm 

Virtual Only

Ontario

RATE A

NHIB provider

Registered Social Worker (BA, BSW, MSW, RSW) 

Brittani has her Bachelor of Arts in child and youth studies (2016) from Brock, a bachelor’s in social work (2018) (BSW) from the University of Victoria and a Master of Social Work (2019) (MSW) from Laurier. Brittani is also a registered social worker in Ontario. Brittani’s professional experience includes working with children, individuals and families in the community and therapeutic settings.

Brittani’s main care areas include perinatal mental health, anxiety, trauma, grief/loss and eating disorders/body image. She works with children, teens, adults, and families. Brittani is keen on helping clients navigate complicated childhood experiences and traumatic experiences concerning attachment, relationships, sense of self, and parenting.

Brittani is compassion-focused, person-centred and strength-based in her approach. She often tends to use narrative therapy, EMDR and CBT in her work.

Brittani and her partner have a dog, two cats, and many house plants. She enjoys going for walks with her dog, reading, watching TV, and exploring local shops, restaurants and markets. 

NOT ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS

AVAILABILITY: 

THURSDAY 10-12 & 5-8pm, & 

FRIDAY 1-6pm * In person

RATE: $130

NHIB provider

Registered Social Worker (RSW, BSW)

Amanda has a passion for working with children, youth, and families. Amanda understands the difficulties that personal life stress can bring to an individual and the ripple effect stress can have in one's life, including relationships, parenting, employment, and emotional wellness. 

Amanda is dedicated to supporting people through times of difficulty while helping them to uncover their strengths and abilities. She empowers people’s healing journey using storytelling (Narrative Therapy). Her approach includes assisting people in developing self-awareness and insight into their thoughts, feelings, and behaviours.7

With over 15 years of experience in the field, she brings maturity and life experience. She attended the Ryerson School of Social Work and obtained a bachelor’s degree in social work and a minor in Psychology (2005). She is a Registered Social Worker in Ontario. Amanda’s clinical training incorporates various theories, crisis intervention, child development, cognitive behaviour therapy, conflict resolution and attachment.  Amanda practices from an equitable, inclusive, strengths-based and trauma-informed approach. She strives to support individuals in becoming their best selves.

Amanda is a mother of three children. Amanda enjoys spending time with her children, partner, and their dog on her time. Amanda uses jogging and yoga as a form of self-care, and she is an advocate for helping others understand the importance of taking care of themselves. 

Amanda is here to work alongside you to support you in setting your personal goals and to be part of your circle of support.

NOT ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS

AVAILABILITY: 

Monday 6-9 PM 

Virtual Only

Ontario 

RATE B