ABOUT
MARIA CRISTINA SNOOK
Director, Registered Psychotherapist MA, CAIP, CC-PMH, CC-BRT, CC-PGL
Many individuals suffer in silence, worried that their issues are not big enough to warrant getting help.
As a mom of three, I have been there. Too many of us have been there. There is a difference between surviving, and thriving. Feeling overwhelmed, sad, or just not yourself, although common, does not have to be such a big part of your postpartum experience. With specialized training in perinatal mental health and birth trauma, as well as grief and loss, my role is to help you through this new journey and create space for a better parenting experience.
I'm here to support you as you reframe parenting and rediscover yourself.
Parenting can be a time of rediscovery. Rediscovering who you are as an individual, as a parent, and/or as a partner. If we can let go of what we think parenting ‘should’ look like, we can make room for what we want it to look like, what we want our life to look like.
There is an expectation that the ‘newborn’ phase is filled with joy and excitement, and will bring you and your partner closer together. In reality, many new parents feel like they have lost connection to themselves, and to their partner, which can feel isolating. My goal as a therapist is to support you in that journey of rediscovery and connection.
My approach is kind and compassionate. All your feelings are welcome and free of judgement.
The pressures of parenting can create so many emotions within us: guilt, shame, resentment. This can cause us to isolate ourselves from our community and the support we need.
Many new parents come to me from a place of overwhelm. A lack of sleep, lack of time for themselves, lack of community care, and idealistic images on social media make new parenting difficult to navigate. I use a variety of therapeutic modalities and techniques to help you manage these feelings.
When I work with couples, I work to bridge the gap between your different, and very real experiences, so you can turn towards each other. Couples therapy is about communication. Couples therapy as new parents is about rediscovering yourself and communicating your new wants and new desires with your partner so that you support each other through this new journey.
Education & Training
My education and training include an MA in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University; Canadian Certified Perinatal Mental Health (CC-PMH), Canadian Certified Birth and Reproductive Trauma (CC-BRT), and Canadian Certified Perinatal Grief and Loss (CC- PGL) from Canadian Perinatal Mental Health Training; as well as additional trainings in ACT, EFT, Gottman, Cultural-Relational, ADHD and sex therapy
Specialties
Perinatal Mental Health: Anxiety, Depression, OCD
Perinatal Sex Therapy
ADHD & Parenting
Parenting & feelings of overwhelm
LGBTQ2+ Affirming
Professional Affiliations
I am a current member of the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario, Ontario Society of Registered Psychotherapists, Certified Analytics and Insights Professionals of Canada. Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA)
Canadian ADHD Resources Alliance (CADDRA)