Student Therapy Clinic

At Perinatal Wellbeing Canada we offer 50-minute Individual therapy/counselling sessions with students. Our session rate is $100, and you will be provided with a receipt that you can use to submit to insurance or healthcare benefits if applicable. Sliding Scale rates of $75, $50 and $25 are available, as well as fully subsidized spots. Please speak with your student therapist/counsellor to enquire further.

PWO’s Master of Arts and Counselling Psychology students, registered Psychotherapists (Qualifying) and Master of Social Work students are supervised by Yzobela Hyett, M.Ed., R.P., PMH-C (She/Her).

PWO’s Social Service Worker student is supervised by Christine Cunningham, BA, RSSW, CC-PMH (She/Her).

Meet Our Student Counsellors and Therapists

Paras Geramian (she/her)

Hi, my name is Paras, a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), and I am passionate about destigmatizing perinatal mental health and ensuring that those who are struggling during this sensitive time are able to find the care and understanding they deserve. Experiencing firsthand the struggles of perinatal mental health, infertility, pregnancy loss, and birth trauma, and the emotional and psychological toll of early motherhood, gave me a unique and empathetic understanding of this often-overlooked aspect of mental health. This experience not only informed my personal healing journey but also ignited my desire to support others who are navigating similar challenges.

I practice with an inclusive, culturally sensitive, and trauma-informed lens to offer personalized support for each person's unique journey. My aim is to create a safe space for individuals to explore their emotions, heal from trauma, rediscover their sense of self to foster healthier and happier relationships, cultivate emotional resilience, and facilitate meaningful shifts toward improved psychological and emotional well-being.

I have the following appointment times available:

Monday: 9am and 3pm

Tuesday: 8:45am, 1pm and 2:30pm

Wednesday: 8:45am, 1pm and 2:30pm

Thursday: 8:45am, 1:30pm and 3pm

Friday: 9am and 3pm

To book a meet and greet please email me at Paras.geramian@gmail.com

Lesley Whiffing (she/her)

Lesley is a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) currently completing her MACP through Yorkville University, practicing neurodiversity-affirming therapy in Ontario.

A queer mom of three, she has experienced diverse facets of family building and parenting as both a gestational and non-gestational parent and has a particular interest in supporting 2SLGBTQ+ clients throughout their journeys, inclusive of all genders and family constellations. Taking a socially aware and anti-racist stance, Lesley acknowledges the myriad systemic injustices faced by community members of various intersectional identities. Through her own adventures with neurodiversity, she has developed a passion for supportive care adapted to each client’s needs.

No stranger to anxiety and trauma, both perinatal and otherwise, Lesley strives to create an inclusive, collaborative space where clients are invited to bring their authentic selves and be welcomed.

Lesley has availability on Mondays and Wednesdays and some evenings. To book a meet and greet please email me at lesleywhiffing.connect@gmail.com

Amy Short (she/her)

Hello! I’m Amy. I am a Student at the University of Windsor studying to complete my Master of Social Work, set to graduate in April 2025. I have worked in the social service industry for 10 years where I have specialized in education, counselling, and research.

I like to utilize a holistic range of therapeutic approaches, like Dialectical Behavioural Therapy and strength-based therapy, to make meaningful connections with members of the community. Also, I use Music, art, and trauma-sensitive yoga therapeutic techniques.

Although I have always had an interest in perinatal mental health, it was after experiencing prenatal loss myself when I began to really dive into this work. After completing my Perinatal Grief and Loss Certification with Canadian Perinatal Mental Health Trainings, I am excited to continue my learning with Perinatal Mental Health Certification with CPMHT, as well as with every new client.

My approach to counselling takes into importance all aspects of your life. The physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional are all important aspects to address while navigating the challenges that life can bring us. I continue to work hard to create an environment that is best suited to your needs and healing journey.

I am not currently accepting new clients.

Karin Thoms (she/her)

Karin is a mother of two who has personally navigated the challenges of Perinatal Depression and Anxiety, experiencing these difficulties with both her children and enduring a first-trimester miscarriage. These life-changing experiences inspired Karin to leave her longstanding career in Human Resources and dedicate her professional life to supporting parents during the perinatal period.

With extensive experience in peer support and client care, Karin is currently pursuing studies as a Social Service Worker. She is committed to providing compassionate, nonjudgmental, and empathetic support to those in the perinatal community. Drawing from her personal journey, Karin is passionate about advocating for parents, ensuring they have the resources and support needed during pregnancy, postpartum, and early parenthood. Her mission is to ensure that no one faces these experiences alone.

Karin is not currently accepting new clients.

Sydney Tricand (she/her)

Hi! My name is Sydney (she/her), and I am a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) currently completing my MA in Counselling Psychology. Having experienced the complexities of the perinatal period with my three young sons, I have a firsthand understanding of loss, birth trauma, a NICU stay, body feeding challenges, a shifting sense of identity, and the uncertainty and overwhelm that accompanies it all.

My approach to therapy is integrative, rooted in attachment and polyvagal theory, with a focus on the impact that our relationships both past and present have on us. My goal is to help you find more ease and joy in this vulnerable and intense time of life, alleviating feelings of stress, guilt, anxiety, and low mood, while encouraging a greater understanding of yourself both as an individual and as a parent.

I strive to create an authentic, warm, and collaborative space that is trauma-sensitive and inclusive, where you can feel safe to explore your thoughts and emotions. Together, we will tailor our sessions to suit your unique needs and goals, ensuring that you feel heard, understood, and nurtured. My hope is for our sessions to be a place of connection, expanded capacity, non-judgmental exploration, and hopeful healing.

I am not currently accepting new clients.