Erin Harvey, MA RECE, MA

Welcome, my name is Erin and I am an associate therapist at Counselling & Co. I am thrilled you are about to embark on your therapeutic journey! Therapy can be a great resource to deepen your understanding of self, your personal and professional relationships and life experiences. We will work together to restore hope, joy, and a sense of connectedness.

As someone who is passionate about supporting clients with their perinatal mental health, I focus on helping parents and caregivers through unexpected or planned pregnancies, traumatic birthing experiences, postpartum distress, the transition into early parenthood, and parenting young children. I will hold space for you and provide care, compassion, and understanding as we work through the challenges and emotions that come with this journey.

Additionally, I work with clients to process medical trauma and navigate the challenges and triumphs of these unique experiences. Each person facing medical trauma has their own set of needs, abilities, and challenges that I will work to understand. Together, we will process the complex journey of healing and coping with medical trauma, as well as developing strategies for moving forward.

Why Work With Me

The choice to enter therapy can be difficult, but it is often rooted in a desire for change and care for ourselves and our loved ones. My goal is to support you in developing a new understanding of yourself, enriching and supporting your relationships, restoring hope and connection, and cultivating a deeper emotional experience for a more fulfilling life. Therapy can be challenging, but with guidance based on empathy and connection, real change is possible.

• Understand and grow emotional capacity

• Improve communication

• Reflect on family history to understand how attachment influences relationships

• Process grief and loss

• Explore how self-concept impacts relationships

• Restore hope and connection with self and others

• Manage difficult transitions in life

• Discover strengths and utilize these to improve quality of life

• Address loneliness and develop ways of cultivating a sense of community and connection

• Enhance the ability to manage unexpected life changes

Professional Background

I have worked with couples and families for over 20 years as they navigate transitional periods in their lives, including planning a life together, facing unexpected challenges, entering parenthood, separation, divorce, and renewal, experiencing grief and loss, and reconnecting with themselves and others.

I have a Master of Arts in Early Childhood Studies from Toronto Metropolitan University, which focused on understanding diverse family structures, families facing challenges, and working with individuals by supporting the family. I also have a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University, and am a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying).

I have worked with individuals and families who experienced medical trauma as they redefine their lives and navigate resources in the community. My professional approach includes Disability Justice and an exploration of how society creates disabilities.

As a college professor, I teach the importance of working from a trauma-informed lens with anti-oppressive practices. I developed an understanding that families come in a variety of forms and have differing experiences based on these formations.

I have certifications in developing LGBTQ+ safe spaces, enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, Indigenous knowledges and traditions, foster and adoptive families (PRIDE), and providing supports for newly immigrated people. I currently volunteer with a board of directors in hopes of supporting families provide the best opportunities for developing healthy, secure relationships.

Things I Bet You Didn't Know About Me

• I am an ally and have SAFE space training.

• I sit on the board of directors of the Oxford County Children’s Aid Society

• I have volunteered with therapeutic horse riding for over 30 years

• I lived in Costa Rica for 8 years and helped build an international not-for-profit school

• I can speak French and Spanish and am learning Japanese!

• As a college professor, I teach about family dynamics in Canada, professional communication skills, and working with families with young children.