Welcome, mothers!
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We can't take care of the emotional needs of our children until we take care of our own."
- Dr. Gabor Mate
Katherine Aucoin, Registered Therapeutic Counsellor My own personal growth journey started at a young age. After a series of difficulties at school and in my home life, I began experiencing depression and anxiety around the age of 11. I yearned to feel free of the pain, to have better relationships and to feel more confident but I felt stuck in my unhappiness. I always felt a deep calling to grow and learn and heal myself. As a teen and through my twenties I explored different paths of healing, personal growth and spirituality. I practiced yoga, then taught yoga. I saw counsellors and attended workshops. But I didn’t see a drastic difference in how I felt about myself and the world until I was literally awakened at a workshop called “The Awakening”. At that workshop I felt a sense of connection and compassion and trust in myself that I had never so genuinely experienced before and there was no turning back. The following year I entered Clearmind International’s Practitioner Program and started my journey to becoming a professional counsellor. I had an incredible experience of personal growth at the same time as learning to hold space and support others to do the same. Then when I was pregnant with my first child and when I was a new mom I began to struggle again, feeling alone, disconnected, confused, anxious and lost about how to be a good mom and how to balance my life with motherhood. I felt like I was losing myself in motherhood and I yearned to have a deeper, more spiritual experience of it as well as hold onto the parts of myself that were important. I loved my baby but I deeply missed my old life and my old self. I had a strong sense that there had to be something more to pregnancy and new motherhood—something deep and fulfilling and spiritual that I was missing. I yearned for a different experience- one where I felt connected and nurtured as a mom so that I had more to give to my baby. I faced periods of intense anxiety and dark, lonely days. Gradually, I found a support system, I learned to ask for help, and I found community and connection with other moms. I learned to trust myself and my intuition. And I learned to connect to a deeper Motherhood experience that fulfills and nurtures me in a way that I didn't know was possible. I also recognized how a family history of depression (especially Post-Partum Depression) deeply impacted my childhood and likely my experiences of depression and anxiety later on. I was fortunate that I did not experience Post-Partum Depression, and I credit that to the amazing tools and support that I gained during my counsellor training. Through allowing and accepting the flow of my big feelings, remembering the truth of my wholeness and value, and leaning on the supportive people in my life, I gradually began to bring back who I was into my experience as a mother. I learned that:
I no longer struggle with anxiety or depression, and I gratefully experience the ups and downs of being a mother and being human. I know from hard-earned experience that there is learning and growth possible in whatever life brings my way. It is my absolute privilege and honour to walk beside you on the ups and downs of your own motherhood journey. Whether you attend one of my workshops, participate in a support group or counselling, or simply follow me on social media, I hope that you are reminded of how valuable you are. Not just as a mother but as a woman, too. This is what I'd LOVE for you to remember:
I honour you, mother for all that you do and all that you ARE. What do you need to truly blossom? 💜 |
It’s not only children who grow. Parents do too. As much as we watch to see what our children do with their lives, they are watching us to see what we do with ours. I can’t tell my children to reach for the sun. All I can do is reach for it myself". – Joyce Maynard
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My Professional Evolution
As soon as I graduated from Clearmind International’s Practitioner Training Program, I felt very drawn to working with other mothers. I received my designation as a Registered Therapeutic Counsellor (RTC) through the Association of Cooperative Counselling Therapists of Canada (ACCT). I have done further training in self-care coaching as well as post-partum anxiety and depression. As a counsellor, I draw on my experience as a former teacher to provide down-to-earth, practical strategies. I also allow my intuition to guide me as I walk beside you during your transition to motherhood, and help you open to the rich, spiritual experience that can be possible during pregnancy and motherhood. Your emotions (as hard as they can feel sometimes!) are a gift and if you allow them space they will guide you to heal and grow. I am inspired in my work and life by my two lively and lovable little boys- they are my biggest teachers on how to bring my best self to motherhood! Through my challenges, I've learned tools to turn obstacles into opportunities and developed a deep compassion for other moms struggling to find their way. It is my honour and privilege to support moms on their own unique journeys. My Mission and Values It's my vision to be able to support moms to become the best version of themselves as women and mothers. There is so much information and support available to help guide our children, but what about moms? It all starts with us. I believe that when mothers themselves are supported they are able to blossom and live richer, more satisfying lives. When moms are fulfilled they become better role models for their children. This is how I want to change the world- to support mothers to grow and evolve. For their children AND for themselves. |
