Juniper Counselling

06/27/2025

New Perinatal Peer Support Group: Starting Next Week!

Register to join us!

Lifewise is launching a free Perinatal Support Group facilitated by trained Peer Supporters with lived experience. Whether you're pregnant or in the first year after giving birth, you're not alone, come connect with others who truly understand.

What to Expect:
A welcoming, judgment-free space to share, listen, and support each other through the highs and lows of the perinatal journey. Whether you're feeling overwhelmed, isolated, or just want to talk, this group is here for you.

July's Schedule:

Virtual group:
Monday | 6:00–7:30 PM

In-person group (child friendly):
Tuesday | 10:00–11:30 AM * No group on July 1st: Canada Day!

Virtual group:
Wednesday | 10:00–11:30 AM

In-person group (adult only):
Thursday | 6:00–7:30 PM

In-Person Workshop (adult only):
Friday | 10:00–11:30 AM

In-person groups at 878 Topsail Rd

To register for perinatal support groups and workshops, click the link below, scan the QR code, or call 1-855-753-2560 and a Peer Supporter can help you!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfgW2zwmerRPQulWJYh4WPPIFsek_Q8-1cTK33e6nK7A62i2Q/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=105632653126527739533

You deserve support and we're here to offer it.

[ID] A promotional graphic for Lifewise’s Perinatal Peer Support Groups. The heading reads “Join us! Perinatal Support Group Topics,” with subtext below saying “First week of July.” In the background, there's a warm, candid photo of a small group in conversation. One person has a comforting hand on another's shoulder, symbolizing support and connection. Overlaid on the image is a blue band with two highlighted topic boxes: “Self-Care" and "Identity Shifts and Parenthood.” At the bottom, text reads “Facilitated by”, with the Lifewise logo and a QR code for registration.

06/21/2025

New Perinatal Peer Support Group: Starting June 30th!
Lifewise is launching a free Perinatal Support Group facilitated by trained Peer Supporters with lived experience. Whether you're pregnant or in the first year after giving birth, you're not alone, come connect with others who truly understand.
What to Expect:
A welcoming, judgment-free space to share, listen, and support each other through the highs and lows of the perinatal journey. Whether you're feeling overwhelmed, isolated, or just want to talk, this group is here for you.
First Group (virtual):
Monday, June 30th | 6:00–7:30 PM
Ongoing Weekly Schedule:
In-person group (child friendly):
Tuesdays | 10:00–11:30 AM
In-person group (adult only):
Thursdays | 6:00–7:30 PM
Virtual group:
Mondays | 6:00–7:30 PM
Wednesdays | 10:00–11:30 AM
Workshop (adult only):
Fridays | 10:00–11:30 AM
To register for perinatal support groups and workshops, click the link below, scan the QR code, or call 1-855-753-2560 and a Peer Supporter can help you!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfgW2zwmerRPQulWJYh4WPPIFsek_Q8-1cTK33e6nK7A62i2Q/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=105632653126527739533

You deserve support and we're here to offer it.

[ID] A promotional graphic for Lifewise’s Perinatal Peer Support Groups features the heading: “Perinatal Peer Support Group”, followed by the subtext: “For pregnancy & postpartum mental health.” The graphic highlights that the group is: led by trained Peer Supporters, offered both in-person and virtually, a safe, welcoming space to talk, connect, and feel heard, and completely free to attend. In the top right corner, it reads “Starting June 30th”, with the Lifewise logo just below. The bottom right corner includes the supportive message: “We’re here to walk this journey with you.” Towards the bottom left, there is a QR code, with registration details above: To Register: Scan the QR, click the link in the post, or call the Provincial Warmline at 1-855-753-2560 and a Peer Supporter will help! A photo in the bottom right corner shows a tired mother seated on the floor, hand on her face, with a crib and baby items in the background.

06/12/2025

Coming Soon: Lifewise Perinatal Peer Support Services!

We’re excited to share that Perinatal Peer Support services will be launching soon at Lifewise!

Whether you're expecting a baby or navigating the early days of parenthood, you're not alone. Our trained Peer Supporters, who’ve been there, are here to offer understanding, encouragement, and a safe space to talk. Support for every stage of the journey, because you matter.

Stay tuned for more details on how to connect.

Questions?admin@lifewisenl.ca

[ID] A clean, circular graphic framed by a thin green border features the title "Perinatal Peer Support" at the top. Inside the circle, the text highlights available services: One-on-One Support, Support Groups, and the Perinatal Message Line. A blue circle draws attention to the phrase "Coming in July!". At the bottom, the tagline reads: "Real support from people who've been there." with the Lifewise logo on the right and an illustration of a mother holding a baby on the left.

05/28/2025

Curious about Fireweed Counselling Collective? 🌿

We invite you to a free, virtual information session to learn more about who we are, what we offer, and how we support people impacted by gender-based violence in Labrador.

📅 When: Tuesday, June 24th
🕚 Time: 11:00 a.m. ADT
💻 Where: Online via Zoom

Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/ybC-mXeHQbadUmeZmnnzEw

This session is open to everyone — whether you're a community member, support worker, student, service provider, or simply interested in learning more about our approach to collective care and healing. You belong in this conversation.

📩 For more information, email deirdre@fireweedcounsellingcollective.ca

02/13/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/153TDGcpHd/

Self-referrals are now open! 📣🪻

The Fireweed Counselling Collective offers free, confidential counselling to individuals over 18 in Labrador impacted by gender-based violence.

Virtual and in-person options are available (depending on location) for those who have experienced harm, caused harm, or are indirectly impacted, including front-line workers, friends, and family.

📱 To self-refer, please contact our project coordinator, Deirdre Connolly (she/her) at deirdre@fireweedcounsellingcollective.ca or

➡️For more information, visit our website:
www.fireweedcounsellingcollective.ca

This project is a partnership between Mokami Status of Women Council/Women's Centre and End Sexual Violence NL.

🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

10/15/2024

Grateful to everyone who shared space and tuned in for our first 4-week psychoeducational support group!

This group was made possible with funding from Flora's Walk .nl in collaboration with

✨️ Stay tuned for the next group being offered in the new year with some exciting changes ✨️

10/15/2024

🍃 Walk & Talk Individual Counselling 🍃

Bringing the counselling session outdoors can have a beneficial impact on both your physical and mental well-being. It fosters a more relational approach as we spend time together outdoors and appreciate the familiarity of walking.

If you have been curious about where Walk & Talk sessions are held, I offer five locations around the St. John's and surrounding areas. These trails are accessible for strollers, wheels, and generally considered easy.

Walk & Talk may not be suitable for everyone. A virtual consultation is required before booking.

https://prakashpathwaysnl.janeapp.com/

10/14/2024

Our bodies are wired to respond to threats, whether that threat is real or perceived. When we are under stress with little to no time for rest, our bodies can feel stuck in fight or flight. This stress response can leave us feeling on edge, hypervigilant, easy to erupt, anxious, or unable to relax. It can impact sleep, mood, relationships, and overall well-being.

Practicing to relax your body and engage the parasympathetic nervous system is an effective way to complete the stress cycle and promote rest. Research suggests laughing, social interaction, movement, breathwork, affection, creative expression, and crying are all effective strategies to complete the stress cycle. Completing the stress cycle is important in order to return our body and brain to a state where they can think, feel, and respond effectively.

10/04/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/RqHeMyx24P3HVAAR/

Get 5 free hours of mental health support

https://www.greenshield.ca/en-ca/cares/womens-mental-health-five-hour-support

Thanks to our partnership with GreenShield our Canadian Perinatal Mental Health Collaborative network can access five free hours
of culturally sensitive, trauma-informed virtual therapy with a registered therapist who understands your identity and lived experience, plus a free one-year subscription to internet-based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (Digital CBT).

Start your mental health journey today.

09/11/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/WGJT5rKWqPWywZ2x/?mibextid=xfxF2i

This week's Reconnecting Body and Mind session topic is: Understanding Triggers. Click on the link for more information or to register:
https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=Q4c9klC1a0KGfSPluzI4CvKvw_QuLvJPuMP9yxrteGVUMzRJNVlGSjVBM1NSQ0NYQlhNN1M4SzRSVC4u

09/05/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/3TFJKpwYXuv2SLJD/?mibextid=xfxF2i

Register Now!

Rebuilding After the End of a Relationship, Separation or Divorce, 8-week group, starting September 26, 2024, facilitated by Nicole Cooper, MSW, RSW.

**Payment options available. Inquire for more details.

To register, please call Samantha at 709-579-0168, scan the code, or follow this link:
https://ruahcounselling.ca/request-for-services/

For any inquiries, please call the number above, or email info@ruahcounselling.ca.

08/26/2024

Worries during pregnancy or postpartum are common and normal. You may worry about the health of your baby, how a baby will impact your relationship, the financial cost, or you may worry the first night you bring the baby home. A certain amount of worry is to be expected during this life transition. In fact, it is protective.

Yet, when worry becomes distressing and consuming, it may indicate a need for support. If worry becomes obsessive thinking, distressing and consuming scary thoughts, or if you change your behaviour to accommodate the distress - it may be indicative of perinatal anxiety.

Common symptoms include:
🔹️excessive worry, ruminating
🔹️restlessness, feeling on edge
🔹️irritability, can escalate to rage
🔹️feeling dread
🔹️difficulties falling asleep due to worry
🔹️frequently checking on the baby
🔹️somatic symptoms like rapid heart rate, difficulty breathing, sweating, GI distress

Anxiety can develop during pregnancy and continue into postpartum if left untreated. It is estimated that 13%-40% of new mothers experience PPA. Anxiety is often accompanied with symptoms of postpartum depression.

There is no one cause of perinatal anxiety. However, biological changes that occur during the perinatal period, psychosocial factors, previous mental health struggles, systemic issues can all impact perinatal adjustment and wellbeing.

Perinatal mental wellbeing can be protected by supporting new parents. This includes making sure the new parent is getting enough sleep, engaging in social support for a sense of belonging, that professionals are screening for PMADs, etc. No one should have to suffer alone.

Reach out for support or to book a free consultation

https://prakashpathwaysnl.janeapp.com/