Postpartum Wellness Group
The postpartum period is a particularly vulnerable time for both the development of and relapse in mood and anxiety disorders. However, many people feel very alone with their struggles as they feel they should be “enjoying every minute of being a parent.” This group will help build effective skills to regulate emotions, manage stress and bring more gentleness to how we navigate the challenges of parenting.
Classes are online with others who have a shared experience (0-18mo child), creating a supportive environment of belonging through being together in community. Participants often describe the participation in the group itself—learning that they are not alone in their struggles and building new supportive relationships with each other—to be an incredibly helpful part of the group.
PARTICIPANTS WILL LEARN TO:
- Step out of unhelpful thought patterns.
- Recognize and be more aware of mind-body processes.
- Access new, more compassionate ways to relate to anxiety, stress and other aspects of experience.
- Turn towards, befriend, and engage with difficult and challenging experiences.
- Build the capacity to be present with and accepting of both one’s own and one’s child’s internal experiences.
Group Format:
- 90min weekly sessions
- 6 sessions total; closed group format
- Regular attendance and completion of short daily home practices is essential
- Group size around 12 participants
- Babes in arms and precrawling infants are welcome to join. If you have older children, it is best to arrange care for them. If this is not possible, please reach out to the instructor to discuss and decide together how to proceed.
WHEN:
On pause – will resume spring 2025
FEE:
$295 + GST
Note: Everyone is warmly welcome and finances should not be a barrier to joining. Making instalments or utilizing a sliding scale are both heartfully available for anyone in need. Three bursaries ($150) are also available and there is no application required, it is first come first serve. Please email Stephanie to inquire (scurran@elementscentre.ca)
REGISTRATION: (*please complete both steps*)
- Complete your online registration.
- A referral to the program is also required. Please have your health care provider (GP, midwife, public health nurse, naturopath, counselor) complete the referral form below. Once received, you will be notified by email to confirm your registration.
“I loved the class! Stephanie’s approach is down-to-earth, compassionate and knowledgeable, creating a safe space that allowed us to share and learn. Going each week was very grounding for me and helped me build a practice that I can return to on a daily basis and when I’m really struggling.”
“I wanted to pass along how much our first class helped me. That was the first time I’ve truly vocalized how I’ve been feeling and, while super scary, somehow by acknowledging this (or naming it, like you said) it has lightened my load and made it easier for me to open up to people in my life. Thank you!!”