Looking Inward Counselling

03/02/2026

Have you every felt guilty because you didn’t feel like the perfect parent? Social media often shows us only the best sides of parenting such as moms who seem to have it all together or parents who shout from the roof top about how amazing their parenting experience is going… while that can be true for some, we often fail to see the other side to parenting. The challenging side such as feeling sleep deprived which results in being dysregulated, wanting to have a moment to escape because your baby won’t stop crying, feeling lost in your own identity, or missing parts of your old life.

Both aspects can be true, but the latter doesn’t make you a bad parent, it makes you human. You aren’t going to love every moment of parenthood, but that doesn’t mean you aren’t a good parent, or that you don’t love your child more than anything in this world. Children don’t need perfect, they need consistency and someone who shows up. If all you were able to do today was try your best, even if in your mind that didn’t equate to perfection, then I want to reassure you that you are a good parent 🩷

02/12/2026

Let me ask you if you’ve ever felt this way?

You look like you have it together.
You show up.
You meet deadlines.
You pack lunches.
You answer emails.

But inside?
You’re overwhelmed. Irritable. Tired in a way that sleep doesn’t fix.

High-functioning anxiety and burnout are real.
Just because you’re getting through the day, doesn’t mean you’re okay.

Therapy isn’t about falling apart.
It’s about finally not having to hold everything together alone. It’s an investment in yourself and your emotional wellbeing. Therapy is a tool to help you manage before things become too overwhelming.

02/11/2026

It’s incredibly sad to hear about the tragedy in Tumbler Ridge BC. My heart goes out to all the families and victims 🩷

02/01/2026

January isn’t just “a new beginning.”

For many, it’s one of the hardest months of the year.

Less sunlight.
More pressure.
Less motivation.
More exhaustion.

So if you’re reading this post..

Take a moment to recognize your strength.

You made it through.
Not by being perfect.
But by being persistent.

That’s real resilience. ✨

01/25/2026

When one of the women I support felt distant from her newborn after a difficult birth, she worried it meant something was wrong with her. This feeling is actually more common than you would think, yet many women shy away from talking about it due to guilt and shame. Through video sessions focused on perinatal attachment, self-compassion and trauma-informed skills, she learned ways to soothe both herself and her baby which led to calmer feedings and more confident bonding within weeks. As a therapist specializing in compassionate perinatal care, I combine lived experience, clinical training, and evidence-based approaches to support mothers and caregivers. Telehealth makes this care accessible across Alberta, so you can receive support in the comfort of your own home where you and your baby have all of things you need

01/21/2026

Parents: Have you noticed these early signs in your teen?

• Withdrawn from family • Sudden mood swings or irritability • Changes in sleep or appetite • Falling grades or loss of interest • Increased secrecy or risk-taking If you checked any, you’re not alone and there are practical next steps.

At Looking Inward Counselling, I offer family-informed therapy that centers youth needs while bringing family dynamics and attachment work into sessions to reduce escalation and build connection. I have a dynamic background working with young people and their families, using evidence-based approaches to guide care. With telemental health, timely support is available across Alberta so your family can get help when it matters most. Ready to talk? Visit lookinginwardcounselling.ca to learn more and book a consult.

01/14/2026

Pause for a moment and check in with yourself:

• When was the last time you felt truly heard?
• How often do you put your needs last?
• What would change if you gave yourself permission to ask for support?

If we change the way we look at therapy and view it from a place of pouring back into ourselves rather than something we only turn to when in crisis, we might give ourselves permission to seek support sooner, listen to our needs more closely, and care for our emotional well-being with the same intention we offer everyone else.
It’s about understanding yourself with compassion and learning how to care for your emotional world, guilt free!

If this speaks to you, it might be time to start that conversation.

01/05/2026

Perinatal Depression Awareness Month 🤰🏼👶

So many parents quietly wonder, “Is this normal?”

If you’ve felt disconnected, overwhelmed, or unlike yourself during pregnancy or postpartum, you’re not alone.

You can love your baby and still struggle.
Both can be true.
Support matters and can make a big difference. Please reach out 💙

This Perinatal Depression Awareness Month, we recognize that pregnancy and the postpartum period can bring significant mental health challenges. Many parents experience depression, anxiety, or other emotional struggles during this time, and seeking support is a courageous and important step.

Across Alberta, Counselling Therapists provide compassionate, ethical, and evidence-informed care. At ACTA, we acknowledge the dedication of these professionals who support parents and families with understanding, skill, and respect, helping them navigate this important and often challenging life stage. We also continue to work in partnership with the government to uphold the critical role of professional regulation in ensuring ethical, accountable, and competent care for all clients.

Support is available — no one has to face these experiences alone.

12/30/2025

As this year comes to a close, this is an invitation to pause and gently reflect. You don’t need to have all the answers, simply noticing what you’ve carried, what you’ve grown through, and what you’re ready to release can be a meaningful place to begin ✨

12/29/2025

As the calendar turns, there’s often an unspoken pressure to fix, change, or be better.

New habits.
New goals.
New versions of yourself.

But for many people, January doesn’t feel motivating.

You might be carrying:
• exhaustion from a hard year
• unresolved grief or loss
• relationship strain
• anxiety about what’s ahead
• the quiet sense that something inside you feels off, but you can’t name it yet
•shame for not accomplishing what you set out to

And none of that means you’re failing at the “new year.”

It means you’re human.

Therapy isn’t about becoming someone new.
It’s about understanding yourself more fully, with compassion instead of criticism.

This year, growth might look like:
• learning how to slow your nervous system
• setting boundaries without guilt
• reconnecting with parts of yourself you’ve been ignoring
• healing patterns that keep repeating
• making space for you, not just everyone else

You don’t need a crisis to begin therapy.
You don’t need a perfect goal.
You just need a willingness to start where you are.

If you’ve been feeling stuck, please reach out.
✨ Now accepting new clients

12/25/2025

Wishing all of my clients a Merry Christmas. The holidays can be a time of connection, reflection, and rest, but they can also feel heavy or overwhelming.

For those who may need a little extra support, I’ve opened a couple of virtual evening appointments over the holiday period. You’re welcome to book if it feels right for you 🎄🩷

You can book at lookinginwardcounselling.ca

12/19/2025

A new short term medication has been approved by Health Canada for the treatment of postpartum depression. Medication is not the only option when managing symptoms of depression, but it is important to be informed and know that you have options available to help support your mental health journey 🩷 and the best part is you get to decide what is best for YOU!