(RSW), MSW
About Carrie Battiste
Hi, I'm Carrie,
Becoming a new parent is hard and often not how you imagined. You feel exhausted, overstimulated, irritable. You're quick to anger and then feel ashamed of yourself for reacting that way. Maybe your anxiety is through the roof since becoming pregnant or you worry constantly about your infant's safety. You're terrified something bad could happen, like a pregnancy loss or your baby choking.
Perhaps you didn't feel an immediate connection to your new baby or are struggling to fall pregnant at all. Your baby won't sleep and you're exhausted. Suddenly you feel resentment towards your partner and are taking your frustrations out on one another. This transition to motherhood has rocked your whole identity. On top of all this, trauma from your past or hurtful childhood experiences are suddenly showing up again. It's a lot. Maybe you're unsure if you want children and pressure from others makes you feel guilty and confused.
These struggles are actually more common than you realize. For over 10 years I have worked with mothers, fathers, people struggling to fall pregnant, pregnancy loss, and young people who want to break hurtful family patterns and feel happier with their lives. The good news is it doesn't have to be this hard. Let's build your confidence as you learn to trust your instincts. Learn to notice what your body is telling you and strategies for staying regulated.
It does get easier. You figure out how to navigate the chaos and find more enjoyment with each day. Connecting with your baby and partner doesn't feel so hard. You more confidently meet the needs of your baby. You no longer feel so isolated and alone. With this comes relief, a feeling of being heard and understood. You learn to trust your gut because you are the one who knows what's best for you, your family and your baby.
Clinical Hours
Tuesdays 12-5
Wednesdays 10-1
Fridays 10-1
Saturdays 9-12
Specialties
Perinatal care (pregnancy, post-partum)
Children aged 0-5
Parenting support
Modalities
EMDR
Attachment-based therapy
Relational
Narrative
Education
Master of Social Work (2013)
EMDR EMDRIA Training (2026)
Adult Attachment Interview (2019-2023)
Advanced Domestic Violence Training (2017)
Beyond the Bio
Because therapy is human & so are we.
Exploring Mundy Park
Spending time outdoors (rain or shine) with my daughter and my Great Dane Willow all year round.
Playing Music
I grew up playing multiple instruments and I love going to live music.
Travelling the World
Igauzu Falls in Argentina & Brazil' - South America is the most spectacular place I've ever travelled
Who I Work With
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Becoming a mother can feel overwhelming, overstimulating and lonely. New mothers often struggle with guilt, mom rage, shame and a loss of self or identity. On top of everything else, it’s common for childhood trauma from the past to resurface after your baby is born. I’m here to help make sense of these changes while meeting you where you’re at. I also support women struggling to get pregnant, pregnancy loss and trauma related to your baby's delivery.
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Becoming new parents can really take a toll on your relationship, leading to disconnection and resentment toward one another. You feel exhausted and don’t have enough support. Better communication strategies, openly expressing needs, aligning your parenting goals and prioritizing time as a couple can go a long way.
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During these early years of development, infant and toddler brains are growing more rapidly than they will at any other point in their life. Culturally we minimize the experiences of young children by saying “they won’t remember anyway”— but the reality is that these are actually the most important years you will parent your child. Their attachment relationship is forming and they are learning new skills every day, including the ability to express and regulate emotions which becomes a lifelong skill. Take this time seriously and seek out evidence-based parenting help that supports your child to thrive.
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Young people are amazing and often hold so much insight into their family’s dysfunction, their struggles at school and in relationships. Come and address the things not working for you so they don’t negatively impact you in the years ahead. Seeking therapy early can build a strong mental health foundation that prepares you for healthier friendships, partnerships, and success in education/ work/ life balance. Preventative effort supports happiness down the road.
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Attachment and our experiences of being parented affect us all. Maybe you’re finally recognizing the impact your childhood is having on the problems you face today. The great news is our brains and bodies are wired to heal— it’s never too late to work on yourself and experience life in a happier, healthier and more connected way.
How I Work
I draw from a range of approaches depending on what you actually need.
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For children, attachment is the relationship formed with their parent in the first two years of life based on their parent’s availability and responsiveness to their needs. In adults, it’s your ‘default settings’ in relationships— what triggers you, do you fear abandonment, are you too shutdown to share how you feel or express needs, maybe you actively sabotage and push away the people you love most. It’s all related to attachment.
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An evidence-based therapy model that helps to work through past trauma and other distressing events or problems. It can even help to work on a presenting theme such as perfectionism, anger, low self-esteem, etc.
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Supporting children from age 0-5 to form secure relationships, manage big feelings, and to explore and learn new skills with the support of a nurturing parent.
All of my work is trauma-informed, which means I understand that what happened to you shapes how you move through the world, in your relationships, your parenting, and how you see yourself. I work with that, not around it.
What to Expect in Sessions
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There's no agenda you have to keep up with or milestones you have to hit. Some days we go deep, some days we just need to talk through what's happening right now. You don't have to be ready for everything on day one. You just have to show up.
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I know what it feels like to be drained at the end of the day, to love your kid and also desperately need five minutes alone. Warm, direct, and genuinely invested in what's actually going on with you. You won't feel like you're being assessed or observed. You'll feel like someone is actually listening, maybe for the first time in a while.
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Both in my work and in my personal life. Not all parents are cisgender, heterosexual, or Canadian-born and you don't have to explain your experience from the beginning or make it digestible for someone who doesn't get it. You can just be honest about what's going on. Every identity, culture, and background is welcome here, no judgment.
Are you feeling stuck in old patterns or overwhelmed by the demands of relationships, work, or your own expectations?
Are you hoping for change but find yourself weighed down by anxiety, confusion, or emotional exhaustion?
FAQs
Absolutely, you don't need young kids to work with me. Many people are thinking about their childhood and the ways it affected them. They want to talk about that in a safe space with someone who doesn't make them feel crazy, wrong or misunderstood. My experience can help you make sense of your past and support you to create a healthier path going forward that works better for you. Healing from your past can be one of the biggest gifts to yourself on your journey to happiness.
I'm not pregnant. I don't have kids or my kids are grown. Can you still help me?
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I have a baby or toddler and no childcare. Can I bring them?
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Yes, your babies and small children are welcome to join you for therapy. This can be especially helpful for parents on maternity leave who have their kids with them all the time. I even have some toys to keep them busy.
I couldn't wait to be a mom. So why is this so hard?
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Being a mom is really hard. Sometimes the way we imagined motherhood and the reality of what it is are two different things. You can be grateful to finally have the family you dreamed of and also find the day to day really challenging. Both can be true at the same time, and acknowledging that doesn't make you any less of a good mom. Let's take better care of you and your needs so that you feel calmer and ready to take on the needs of your child.
What does perinatal and infant mental health actually mean?
4
Perinatal mental health refers to the period of time during pregnancy and after the baby is born until the age of one. Infant mental health refers to the period from when babies are born to the age of five, and it focuses on their social-emotional well-being and the bond between the baby or child and their parent. When we think about an infant's mental health, we are considering how their parent helps them feel loved, protected, safe and cared for so they can grow, develop and thrive. Not everyone knows the best way to do this. Parenting support can help build your confidence to meet your child's needs.
Can a social worker provide therapy?
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Yes, social workers can provide therapy in BC. As a Registered Social Worker in BC I'm fully trained and licensed to do exactly that. That means accredited education, supervised clinical hours, and regulation by the BC College of Social Workers. Your sessions may also be covered under extended health benefits that include social work, so it's worth checking your plan.
