Individual Pay-What-You-Can Therapy
Perinatal Wellbeing Ontario is committed to offering barrier-free access to individual therapy services. We currently have seven amazing students from Yorkville University who are offering pay-what-you-can ($25, $50 or $75) online therapy for all people in Ontario. You can email them to book a free meet and greet phone call. Please select the fee level that best matches your financial reality:
$25
This fee might be right for you if:
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You are able to meet basic needs (e.g. food, housing, clothing, transportation), but have little-to-no expendable income for extras (e.g. entertainment, eating out, etc.).
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Paying for therapy will likely involve making some sacrifices, but will not create hardship.
$50
This fee might be right for you if:
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You are able to meet your household’s basic needs and have some expendable income for extras.
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Paying for therapy can be added to your budget with limited sacrifices.
$75 (Full fee)
This fee might be right for you if:
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You are able to meet your household’s basic needs and have expendable income for extras.
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You have access to private health insurance benefits for mental health services (Note: Receipts for therapy services will be issued under the name of a registered social worker.)
$100 (Pay-it-forward)
This fee might be right for you if:
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You are in a position to pay for the cost of your care and help to expand access to support for your fellow community members. (Thank you!)
*** We do not want fees to be a barrier to accessing therapy support. We have fully-funded spaces available if you are unable to pay any fees at this time. ***
PWO is grateful to Alexis J. Cunningfolk (www.wortsandcunning.com) for their thoughtful approach to using sliding scale fees as a social justice tool. Our pay-what-you-can model draws inspiration from this work.
Ashley D. Whylly (She/Her)
Ashley is in the final year of the Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology program at Yorkville University and is deeply passionate about aiding marginalized communities and families. Her commitment to creating inclusive anti-oppressive spaces stems from a strong desire to support those facing systemic challenges. Challenges she is familiar with as an Afro-Caribbean immigrant who is also new to Canada.
With a focus on family dynamics and an understanding of the unpredictability of parenthood as a new parent, Ashley aims to be a beacon for individuals navigating similar circumstances. She aspires to offer a compassionate, nurturing environment where parents feel understood and equipped with tools to navigate the complexities of raising children and navigating the perinatal and postpartum periods.
In addition to their dedication to mental health, Ashley holds a fervent interest in music and dance. She firmly believes in the therapeutic power of creative expression and hopes to encourage clients to utilize existing resources and passions as part of their journey towards healing and self-discovery. Ashley's approach to therapy is founded on empathy, cultural sensitivity, and a genuine desire to foster growth and resilience in their clients. She remains committed to staying updated with the latest research and therapeutic techniques to provide the best possible support.
She is enthusiastic about the opportunity to collaborate with clients in their pursuit of wellbeing. To book a meet and greet with Ashley email her at adwhylly@gmail.com.
Geneviève Desrochers (she/her)
Perinatal mental health has been a passion of mine over the past fourteen years. After the birth of my first child, I suffered from a severe postpartum mood disorder. Fortunately, with the support I got, I was able to recover and feel like myself again. While navigating this challenging and unexpected life-changing experience, I made a promise to myself that after recovery, I would do all I could to educate myself about perinatal mental health and support families experiencing struggles in the transition to parenthood.
In the following years, I attended several professional training courses on perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, became a perinatal mental health advocate, volunteered as a peer mentor with Postpartum Support International and worked as a postpartum doula. When the timing was right, I started my Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology.
I am now a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) whose heart belongs to this work. Because of what I have been through and learned through education, I bring empathy, understanding and a non-judgmental ear into my work with clients. Being a parent is hard, and when mental health challenges are present, it can be even more difficult. My priority is to create a safe place where my clients can honestly open up about their struggles and overwhelming emotions. Every parent’s situation, difficulties and strengths are different. Thus, my therapeutic approach is tailored to their unique needs.
My interest lies in narrative therapy, existential therapy, and I will be trained in Internal Family Systems (IFS) in the Spring of 2024.
As I found hope in my postpartum journey, I aim to help my clients find it as well and start feeling better. My services are offered in French or English. You can book a meet and greet with me at genevieve@transitionpostpartum.com.
Hannah Howell (she/her)
My name is Hannah and I am currently completing my Master of Counselling Psychology through Yorkville University. I hold a deep passion for supporting individuals through the tender and transformative journey of pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting, and I am thrilled to be undertaking a practicum with Perinatal Wellbeing Ontario.
My journey into perinatal mental health stems from my many years as a Registered Midwife in Alberta. Here I witnessed firsthand the complexities and nuances of the physical, emotional, and psychological challenges faced by new parents. Mental health plays an integral role in this era, influencing not just the parents but also the well-being of the newborn and family system. My interest in perinatal mental health, particularly in areas of grief, trauma, and loss, was shaped by the stories and experiences shared by the hundreds of families I have had the privilege to serve. These encounters, as well as my personal experience of parenting my two incredible teenagers, has fueled my dedication to delve deeper into understanding and addressing the emotional challenges often encountered during the perinatal period.
I firmly believe that each client is the expert on their own journey and my role as a counsellor is to provide a nurturing and non-judgmental space where clients can explore their emotions, experiences, and concerns. This commitment extends to fostering a safe and supportive environment where individuals feel empowered to show up as their authentic selves without fear of judgement. Through genuine empathy and active listening, I seek to create a therapeutic alliance built on trust and mutual respect. In my work with Perinatal Wellbeing Ontario and beyond, I hope to ensure that individuals receive holistic and compassionate care on their journey toward healing and resilience. I'm not currently accepting clients at this time.
Kat Bayang (she/her)
Hello! Thank you for seeking support with PWO. I’m Kat, a mother of three children, who is passionate about perinatal mental health. After pivoting from midwifery, I am a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) currently pursuing an MA in Counselling Psychology. With 7+ years of experience within perinatal health care and peer support, I am rooted in anti-oppressive, inclusive, and culturally safe perinatal mental health care. Topics close to my heart include experiences in assisted reproductive technology, obstetric violence and birth trauma, grief and loss, blending families and raising interracial children.
My practice is housed under Filipino/a/x Liberation Psychology, which views connectedness and shared humanity as key principles for living a harmonious life. Navigating the perinatal period can be daunting, yet also expansive, as it provides new insights into our evolving identities and emotional experiences. I strive to provide an empathetic, collaborative, and brave space for clients to untangle the complexities of transitioning reproductive life stages, of which the perinatal period is one of the most vulnerable. I hope to help you reconnect with your embodied wisdom, restoring trust in your innate ability to parent yourself, your children and/or your wider community.
Your story is valuable; I am curious about where you are now, the challenges you face and the future you imagine for yourself and your family. It would be a privilege to collaborate with you – I appreciate the courage it took to get here. I am not currently accepting clients at this time.
Kiara Tsagkaris (she/her)
I'm Kiara, a devoted MACP student at Yorkville University and a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), deeply committed to guiding people through their perinatal journeys. Working in the perinatal wellness sector with a specialized focus on Integrated Wellness Leadership, I witness firsthand the transformative impact that wellness, self-care, and a holistic approach can have on both the mental and physical wellbeing of clients. Most importantly, it sets the stage for more positive and healing outcomes.
My passion for mental health springs from personal experiences, directing my focus towards trauma, loss, and grief—elements that can manifest throughout the perinatal journey. My practice is firmly rooted in queer-positivity and cultural sensitivity. As a queer woman, I understand that families come in diverse shapes and sizes. This informs my commitment to establishing a safe and affirming space for people of all backgrounds, orientations, and identities.
Whether you find yourself navigating the complexities of infertility, contemplating parenthood, or are already a parent, I'm here to offer my unwavering support, meeting you wherever you are on your journey. I adopt a client-centered and relational approach, recognizing the uniqueness of each individual's experience. My objective is to support my clients with empathy, kindness, and care. Despite the challenges you encounter, my goal is to ensure you feel not only supported but truly understood, acknowledged, and empowered.
The profound connections forged in counselling have been life saving for me, and I aspire to offer the same to you. I am not currently accepting clients at this time.
Aliza Epstein (she/her)
Aliza is completing her master’s in counselling psychology at Yorkville University. She frequently experienced people unexpectedly opening up to her about their struggles which sparked her interest in pursuing a career as a therapist.
Aliza developed a special passion for perinatal mental health after becoming a mother. She had her first baby halfway through university which she feels changed her forever. Although her baby was born healthy, Aliza suffered two early miscarriages in addition to a hematoma, all of which escalated her anxiety surrounding pregnancy and parenthood. Her baby also had a severe tongue-tie that made navigating feeding him very overwhelming.
Aliza noticed many aspects of fertility and parenting are not openly discussed, such as losses, anxiety, depression, body-feeding pressure, unwanted criticism, etc. Aliza works to support people facing all of those challenges so they have the awareness and tools to cope with them. As a therapist, Aliza strives to create a warm, empathetic, and caring atmosphere where clients feel heard, validated, and empowered. You can email Aliza to book a meet and greet at alizaepst@protonmail.com.
I am an RP-Q and a MACP Student completing my practicum at Perinatal Wellbeing Ontario. I have a keen interest in perinatal well-being, supporting parents, and working with children and youth. I am an LGBTQ+ ally and an advocate for diversity, inclusion, and authenticity. I identify as part of the neurodivergent community. I use person-centered and culturally affirming frameworks to support intersectionality, and empowerment, and to celebrate uniqueness. I also understand the complicated relationships with our own caregivers that shape our experiences.
I am a proud mama of two. On my journey, I experienced a miscarriage, struggled with mental health, and felt unsupported postpartum. I understand the dysregulation, the overwhelm, the guilt, the sleeplessness, the devotion, and the bond. I wholeheartedly understand the therapeutic impact of connection and support, especially during the perinatal stage. I encourage therapeutic change through compassion-based, relational-based, and IFS (parts work) therapies.
I am grateful to support therapeutic healing alongside the team at PWO! Chrissy is not currently accepting clients.
