Hi! I’m Abigail Barth, MSW, RSW
I’m a parent, a Calgarian, and a therapist whose own experience with pregnancy, miscarriage, birthing, and postpartum mental health concerns have led me to this work. (If you would like to learn more about my experience, I have written about it on the blog.)
The birthing people that meet with me don’t feel like themselves. They may be questioning whether they’re cut out for this whole parenting thing, or if they made a huge mistake. They might be inundated with frightening thoughts that make them wonder if they can be trusted with their baby. Or they’re reeling from a birth that did not go as planned, or the impossibly heavy grief of looking into an empty nursery. They are experiencing a pain that others may not understand.
And while I can’t claim to understand everyone’s pain, what I can do is sit with them in it, and look at it without flinching.
I do therapy a little differently…
If you’ve tried Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) or traditional talk therapy before, and just felt like it wasn’t what you needed, it may be time to switch it up!
I am trained in two main types of therapy: Expressive Arts Therapy and Narrative Therapy. Both of these methods invite the person doing the work to discover new ideas, metaphors, and stories about themselves. In a session with me, you can use art, writing, music, storytelling, movement, and whatever else you would like to explore your experience. Seriously, nothing brings me more joy than to see someone express themselves in the way that works for them!
Now, you don’t have to participate in these more creative approaches if it doesn’t feel right to you- I also offer education around mental health and practical strategies to ease the weight of the problem in everyday life. And talking is definitely allowed!
In order to support birthing people effectively, I have received training in Perinatal Mental Health as well as Perinatal Grief and Loss, and am currently working towards certification in Perinatal Mental Health through Postpartum Support International.
If you’re ready to take the next step, click the button below to book a free 20 min consultation.