Perinatal Counselling in Calgary
Supporting you through pregnancy, postpartum, and the transition into parenthood
Everyone keeps asking if you're excited. You smile and say yes. But late at night, when everyone's asleep, you're wondering why this doesn't feel the way you thought it would.
Call or Text to Book: 403.488.8912
The Truth Nobody Tells You
Pregnancy and postpartum are supposed to be joyful. Everyone says so. The Instagram posts, the baby shower cards, the well-meaning relatives who keep telling you to "enjoy every moment."
But what happens when you're not enjoying it?
When anxiety keeps you awake at 3 am with thoughts you're afraid to say out loud.
When you look at your partner and feel more distance than connection.
When you're doing everything "right" but still feel like you're drowning.
Here's what we know from working with new and expecting parents in Calgary.
You're not experiencing something rare. You're experiencing something real. You’re experiencing something that 3 out of 4 new parents go through but almost nobody talks about openly.
The gap between expectation and reality is where the struggle lives.
And that's exactly where we meet you.
Perinatal and postpartum experiences are deeply personal. You don’t need to face the worries, sleepless nights, or shifting identity alone. We offer options for individual, couples, and group support.
WHAT YOU MIGHT BE FEELING
✓ Struggling with anxiety that feels different than before; sharper, more intrusive, harder to shake
✓ Feeling disconnected from your body, your baby, or yourself
✓ Experiencing relationship tension with your partner during a time when you need each other most
✓ Grieving the birth experience you didn't get, or mourning the person you were before
✓ Carrying guilt about not feeling the "right" way about becoming a parent
✓ Overwhelmed by intrusive thoughts that scare you
✓ Wondering if asking for help means you're not cut out for this
If you're reading this and thinking "Yes. That's exactly how I feel!” …take a breath.
This is the moment everything can start to shift.
Because what happens next isn't about trying harder. It's about being supported differently.
Why Perinatal Support is Different:
General therapy can be helpful. But perinatal mental health requires specialized knowledge.
The hormonal shifts. The identity transformation. The sleep deprivation compounding everything. The way anxiety shows up differently postpartum. The relational dynamics that change overnight when a baby arrives.
At Core Psychology, our perinatal specialists understand:
→ The difference between "baby blues" and perinatal anxiety/depression
→ How birth trauma impacts your nervous system and your relationship
→ Why your thoughts might feel scarier than they used to, and what that actually means
→ How to support both you and your partner through this transition
→ Evidence-based approaches that create real relief, not just coping
You don't need someone to tell you "it gets easier."
You need someone who can help you navigate what you’re going through today with compassion, clinical skill, and zero judgment.
Meet Your Calgary Perinatal Specialists
Claire Granson, MC
Registered Provisional Psychologist
Claire knows what it's like to struggle during a time when everything is "supposed" to be perfect, because she's lived it herself.
As both a therapist and a mother, Claire brings not just clinical training, but deep personal understanding to her work with expecting and new parents.
She specializes in supporting:
Pregnancy and postpartum anxiety/depression
Birth trauma and loss
Identity shifts during the transition to parenthood
Relationship strain during demanding life stages
Parents who look "fine" on the outside but are quietly unraveling
Claire's approach:
Steady. Relational. Focused on helping you feel seen, especially when life feels uncertain or overwhelming.
She draws from Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), CBT, DBT, and Family Systems Therapy to create a safe space where you can finally exhale and make sense of what you're going through.
Claire understands that asking for help, especially when everything seems fine from the outside, is one of the hardest things you'll do. And she'll hold space for all of it.
Avery Rozak-Leach, MC
Registered Provisional Psychologist
Avery's background in supporting children and parents through therapy has deepened her understanding of the unique challenges individuals face during the transition into parenthood. With a compassionate approach, Avery is committed to guiding her clients through the complex emotions and decisions that accompany pregnancy and the postpartum period. Her work is anchored in both scientific knowledge and heartfelt empathy, allowing her to connect meaningfully with those navigating this transformative life stage.
With a Master's in Counselling and a Bachelor's in Biology, she bridges the medical and emotional sides of the perinatal experience, helping you navigate not just the feelings, but the systems, decisions, and transitions that come with pregnancy and postpartum.
She specializes in supporting:
Perinatal and postpartum anxiety
Navigating medication decisions during pregnancy/postpartum
Depression and low mood
Stress and overwhelm during family transitions
Communication challenges between partners
Challenging limiting beliefs
Avery's approach:
Compassionate. Practical. Results-oriented. Grounded in helping you identify what's actually getting in your way and creating actionable steps forward.
She uses IFS, ACT, and narrative therapy to help you break free from unhelpful thought patterns and reconnect with confidence and calm.
Avery helps you advocate for yourself in medical settings, in your relationships, and in your own mind
You’re Not Alone. Support Is Here.
If you’re struggling in silence, we hope that through your work with us, you will come to know that many parents experience similar challenges, even if few talk about it openly. Reaching out is not a sign of weakness, but one of strength.
We’re here to support you in building confidence, finding calm, and reclaiming your sense of self as you navigate this chapter of life.
Take the next step with perinatal counselling in Calgary. Whether you’re pregnant, postpartum, or somewhere in between, our team at Core Psychology is here to walk alongside you.
Book an appointment today and begin the process of healing and support.
Sessions are available in-person in Marda Loop (Calgary) or virtually across Alberta.
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Perinatal counselling is psychological support during pregnancy and the postpartum period (roughly the year before and after birth). It helps parents navigate mood changes, anxiety, identity shifts, relationship adjustments, and the challenges of caring for a newborn.
Those experiencing anxiety that has become unmanageable often describe: A lost sense of self, strategies that were once helpful no longer working, feeling paralyzed, physical symptoms (including headaches, weight changes, illness and trouble sleeping), overthinking and replaying conversations and events in their head, second-guessing decisions, and feeling stuck and unable to move forward.
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Yes. Hormonal changes, lack of sleep, and the major transition into parenthood can leave many new parents feeling tearful, anxious, or overwhelmed. This is often called the “baby blues,” and it usually improves within the first two weeks after birth. If symptoms persist beyond that, intensify, or interfere with daily life, it may be postpartum depression or anxiety, which are common and treatable with professional support.
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The “baby blues” typically resolve on their own and feel more like temporary mood swings. Postpartum anxiety, on the other hand, involves ongoing, racing thoughts, restlessness, difficulty sleeping even when the baby sleeps, or intrusive worries that feel hard to control. If you’re unsure, it’s best to talk with a perinatal mental health professional who can help you sort out what’s happening.
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Yes. Research shows that evidence-based counselling approaches — such as cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), interpersonal therapy (IPT), and mindfulness-based interventions — can reduce symptoms of postpartum depression and anxiety. Therapy provides both practical coping strategies and emotional support, which can make the adjustment to parenthood feel less isolating and overwhelming.
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Every parent’s experience is different, but common themes include:
Worry about the baby’s health and safety
Changes in mood, sleep, or energy
Relationship and intimacy shifts after birth
Navigating extended family expectations
Identity changes and loss of independence
Grief after miscarriage, stillbirth, or infertility struggles
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Yes. Partners often experience their own stress, worry, or feelings of helplessness. Counselling can support couples in communicating openly, sharing the mental load, and staying connected as they adjust to new roles.
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You don’t need to wait until things feel unbearable. If anxiety, sadness, or exhaustion are making it hard to enjoy your baby, rest, or function day-to-day, reaching out early can help you feel steadier and supported sooner.
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Absolutely. Online therapy is shown to be effective for perinatal anxiety and depression, and many new parents find it easier to attend sessions from home. Secure video sessions can be especially helpful when leaving the house feels difficult with a newborn.
Frequently Asked Questions about Perinatal Counselling
At Core Psychology, our perinatal team provides warm, evidence-based support in Calgary and online across Alberta. Whether you’re preparing for birth, navigating postpartum changes, or coping with loss, you don’t have to do it alone.
Where you can find us.
Located in the heart of Marda Loop in Calgary, our office offers a tranquil space where you can take a breath and focus on you.