Cherry Tree Counselling

Cherry Tree Counselling Our team provides counselling and psychotherapy services for women and their families. Message us today for your complimentary 15 minute consultation.

At Cherry Tree Counselling we offer confidential & compassionate counselling specializing in women's concerns & perinatal mental health.

03/17/2026

Caring for yourself while caring for the earth

If you feel deeply connected to nature, you might also feel the weight of eco-anxiety or climate grief.

Not just worry, but something heavier.
A constant ache.
A sense of responsibility that doesn’t turn off.

For many women, especially mothers, that weight can grow even stronger. Caring for family and thinking about the future of the planet can bring up anxiety, exhaustion, and sometimes guilt.

And you know what?

That doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong.
It means you care.

But caring for the earth shouldn’t come at the cost of caring for yourself.

Eco-counselling with Amy Commanda offers space to slow down and process what you’re holding, without having to carry it alone.

Together, you might explore:

• ways to make space for grief and anxiety in a supported, grounded way
• tools to navigate distress while staying connected to your values
• gentle ways of reconnecting with nature that feel supportive, not overwhelming
• what it looks like to care for the world and yourself at the same time

If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, or unsure how to move forward, you’re not alone.

Your care for the earth matters.
And so does your care for yourself.

You can learn more or book a session with Amy here:
https://cherrytree.janeapp.com

Or reach out to us at admin@cherrytreecounselling.ca
to get started.

Someone didn’t flinch.When I said I needed reassurance.Or more time.Or clearer communication.Or space to rest.And instea...
03/16/2026

Someone didn’t flinch.

When I said I needed reassurance.
Or more time.
Or clearer communication.
Or space to rest.

And instead of eye rolling, withdrawing, or calling me dramatic…

They stayed.

Maybe it was a therapist who said, “Of course you’d want that.”
Maybe it was a friend who adjusted without making me feel guilty.
Maybe it was the first time I said what I needed without apologizing for it.

The thing is, a lot of us learned early on that having needs made us inconvenient.

Too sensitive.
Too emotional.
Too dependent.
Too much.

So we shrank.

We anticipated.
We overgave.
We convinced ourselves that needing less was the same thing as being easier to love.

But your needs are not a character flaw.

They are information.

They tell you what safety feels like.
What connection requires.
What your nervous system has been asking for all along.

Learning that your needs are allowed can feel unfamiliar at first. Even uncomfortable.

And also… freeing.

You are allowed to take up space.
You are allowed to ask for care.
You are allowed to stop apologizing for being human.

If you’re ready to explore what your needs actually are, and how to honour them without shame, schedule here or book a call to connect with our team.

Sometimes the body remembers what the mind has tried to move past.You might notice it in the form of intrusive memories....
03/14/2026

Sometimes the body remembers what the mind has tried to move past.

You might notice it in the form of intrusive memories.
A sudden wave of anxiety.
Feeling on edge without fully knowing why.
Or reacting strongly to situations that seem small on the surface.

Trauma can live in the nervous system long after the event itself has passed.

One therapy that can help process these experiences is EMDR, which stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing.

EMDR helps the brain process and refile distressing memories so they no longer feel as overwhelming in the present. Instead of repeatedly talking through the same story, the focus is on helping your nervous system integrate what happened in a way that feels safer and more settled.

At Cherry Tree, EMDR therapy is offered by our registered nurse psychotherapists Jennifer Hines and Michelle Stockwell. They work thoughtfully with clients to move at a pace that feels safe and supportive.

Many people find that EMDR can help reduce the intensity of trauma memories, shift long held beliefs about themselves, and create space for healing.

If you are curious about whether EMDR therapy might be a good fit for you, you can book a session at cherrytree.janeapp.com or reach out at admin@cherrytreecounselling.ca to get started.

Who Helps the Helpers? We have a team for that.Cree offers reflective clinical supervision which rests on the three buil...
03/13/2026

Who Helps the Helpers?

We have a team for that.

Cree offers reflective clinical supervision which rests on the three building blocks of reflection, collaboration and regularity.

Providing an open, accepting and secure space for supervisees to delve into the complexities of the work is critical to growth.

Unlike clinical supervision, which tends to focus solely on cases, reflective supervision goes deeper into the therapist-client relationship including exploring emotions, power dynamics, and broader societal influences.

Reflective supervision emphasizes the importance of understanding the therapist's perspective and encourages a compassionate approach rather than just seeking solutions.

By integrating reflection, active listening, and empathy within a safe clinical framework, reflective supervision fosters ethical and effective practice.

Supervisees gain insight into their own reactions, develop greater self-awareness, and enhance their ability to attune to clients.

This ultimately leads to improved therapeutic outcomes and greater job satisfaction for the therapist.

Cree's approach to reflective supervision is grounded in over 25 years of experience in the helping professions and a deep commitment to supporting therapists in their professional growth.

If you're ready to take your clinical skills to the next level through a collaborative, reflective process, book a session today at cherrytree.janeapp.com

Have you noticed how many rules there are now for mental health?Feel your feelings… but regulate quickly.Accept yourself...
03/12/2026

Have you noticed how many rules there are now for mental health?

Feel your feelings… but regulate quickly.
Accept yourself… but keep evolving.
Rest and honour your limits… but don’t fall behind.
Trust your intuition… but challenge your thoughts.

Lately our team has been talking about the contradictions of wellness culture and the quiet pressure many people are carrying.

Not just the pressure to function.

The pressure to be well in the “right” way.

In our newest blog post, we explore the tension between personal growth and perfectionism, why it can feel like wellness is always just out of reach, and what might shift when we widen the lens beyond individual self-improvement.

Because sometimes the question isn’t “What’s wrong with me?”

Sometimes it’s “What am I living inside of?”

Read the full article at the link in our bio or on our website.

Are you looking for support? Meet Kate!Kate is a Registered Psychotherapist and Canadian Certified Counsellor on the Che...
03/11/2026

Are you looking for support? Meet Kate!

Kate is a Registered Psychotherapist and Canadian Certified Counsellor on the Cherry Tree Team.

Kate offers online counselling for youth 12+, adults, couples and families. Kate works with anxiety, depression, and stress in youth and adults. She also holds specialized training in supporting the 2SLGTBQ+ community, their families and allies.

Kate is accepting new clients and has daytime and evening availability from Mondays to Wednesdays.

If you are interested in learning more about Kate and how she might be able to support you, please visit our website through the link in our bio to see her profile under our Therapists section.

If you already know that Kate might be a good fit for you, you can book your first session now via our website.

03/10/2026

What does it mean to age meaningfully in a world that so often overlooks or dismisses the experience of growing older?

For many older adults, the transition into elderhood can stir up complex emotions: grief over changing roles, fear around health or independence, or questions of purpose and identity. It’s a stage of life that invites deep reflection, but also one that is often met with silence or stigma.

Lauren offers compassionate, affirming support for seniors and older adults who are navigating the emotional terrain of aging. Using a blend of humanistic and existential therapy, ACT, and behavioural activation, Lauren helps clients reconnect with what matters most and take small, intentional steps toward meaningful change.

Clients often come to Lauren for support with:

💛 Grief, loss, and life transitions
💛 Isolation, loneliness, or loss of identity
💛 Anxiety about aging or health challenges
💛 Reconnecting with purpose and values in this season of life

Lauren offers short-term therapy packages (6–12 sessions) for those seeking focused support to build a fuller, more connected life, at any age.

Because elderhood is not an ending—it’s a powerful transition. And you deserve to feel supported in every part of it.

💛 Book with Lauren online through Jane at cherrytree.janeapp.com or email us at admin@cherrytreecounselling.ca to get started.

Did you know we offer a free, downloadable Perinatal Resource Guide?Whether you are planning for a family, expecting a b...
03/09/2026

Did you know we offer a free, downloadable Perinatal Resource Guide?

Whether you are planning for a family, expecting a baby, or navigating the postpartum season, having the right support around you can make a meaningful difference.

This guide was created to help you build your village.

Inside you will find a curated list of perinatal supports across Canada including therapists, doulas, perinatal support workers, pelvic floor physiotherapists, and other professionals who support families during pregnancy and postpartum.

At Cherry Tree Counselling, we believe care is strongest when it happens in community. Our hope is that this guide helps connect you with trusted supports close to where you live.

You can download the guide through the link in our bio or by visiting our website.

If you are a perinatal professional and feel you should be included in this guide, please reach out. We are always happy to expand this resource so more families can find the care they need.

03/09/2026

Self-love is not always obvious.
It often shows up in small, quiet ways.
It can be choosing rest.
It can be setting a limit.

Sometimes it is giving yourself permission.
Permission to pause.
Permission to feel.
Permission to say not today.

If you can, offer yourself one small act of care.
That is enough for now.

03/08/2026

So many women carry quiet dreams that get tucked away over time.

Creative things we wanted to try.
Skills we wanted to learn.
Passions we thought we might return to someday.

Life gets busy. Responsibilities grow. And those small inner voices can get quieter and quieter.

But it is never too late to listen again.

Sometimes it looks like picking up a paintbrush for the first time in years.
Trying something new simply because it brings you joy.
Giving yourself permission to explore the parts of you that have been waiting patiently.

Those dreams deserve space too.

This International Women’s Day we are celebrating the courage it takes to follow the quiet “what if” and turn it into something real.

If Amy's words resonate with you and you are thinking about starting therapy, you can book a session at cherrytree.janeapp.com or learn more at www.cherrytreecounselling.ca

03/08/2026

Women are often taught that strength means doing more. Carrying more. Holding everything together no matter how heavy it gets.

But strength is not one single way of moving through life.

Sometimes it is showing up with determination and momentum. Taking action. Advocating for yourself. Moving forward even when things feel uncertain.

And sometimes strength is something quieter.

Choosing to pause.
Letting your body rest.
Giving yourself permission to slow the pace when everything around you says to keep going.

Both are forms of strength.

This International Women’s Day we are honouring the many ways women show resilience, courage, and care for themselves and the people around them.

If Jen's words resonate with you and you are thinking about starting therapy, you can book a session at cherrytree.janeapp.com or learn more at www.cherrytreecounselling.ca

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At Cherry Tree Counselling & Psychotherapy Services we offer compassionate counselling specializing in perinatal mental health & women's wellness. Call or message us today for your complimentary 15 minute consultation or to book. cherrytreedundas@gmail.com