My name is Alysha Angus (she/her), and I am a mom of four, with three living sons and a daughter in the sky. My life was turned upside down after experiencing a full-term pregnancy loss in March of 2021. Following the death of my daughter Ellie, I was desperate to connect with other bereaved parents, learn more about grief and loss, and find ways to integrate Ellie in my life moving forward.

The lens through which I saw the world of pregnancy and parenthood had shifted so drastically. I found comfort and belonging in attending grief support groups, webinars, events- you name it, I was there. As shocked and heartbroken as I was to have joined this community of bereaved parents, I felt a strong pull to dive deeper into this unfamiliar territory. I felt called to support others on their grief journeys, which led me to become certified as a Pregnancy + Infant Loss Coach, through the Seeds of Growth Academy, Grief Education. I have found deep meaning and purpose in facilitating support groups for bereaved parents.

However your path has led you here, I want you to know that you are seen and supported. I am here with you and would be honoured to hold space for you on your journey. I look forward to connecting with you and witnessing your story.

My name is Alysha Angus (she/her), and I am a mom of four, with three living sons and a daughter ... Read More

Shannon Carr (she/her/hers) is a registered pelvic health physiotherapist who nurtures the perinatal and perimenopausal community in her hometown of Guelph, ON.

In 2017, her and her partner made the difficult decision to end a wanted pregnancy after her son was diagnosed with a life-threatening condition in utero. Her lived experiences include traumatic live birth, termination for medical reasons, parenting after loss, pregnancy after loss, and parenting young children during the pandemic.

Shannon started volunteering with PILSC in late 2021 after learning about the unique TMFR support group that PILSC offers, a group that was much desired and lacking during her early grieving process. She is grateful to be trusted by the many parents who bravely share their stories and build community with one another, while integrating their grief and honouring their much-loved little ones.

Shannon Carr (she/her/hers) is a registered pelvic health physiotherapist who nurtures the perina... Read More

Read More

Joëlle’s life work was revealed to her after surviving the devastating & traumatic death of her second child, Julien. She is living out Julien’s legacy by turning to the loss community and supporting other Pregnancy and Infant Loss families during their times of deepest need.

Wherever you are on the journey and regardless of how or when you have experienced Pregnancy or Infant loss, she is here to support you. Joëlle further specializes in supporting families through Parenting after loss and TFMR as well as offering sessions in both English and French.

Joëlle’s life work was revealed to her after surviving the devastating & traumatic death of h... Read More

Read More

Rebecca loves to find ways to combine her background in occupational therapy with her life as a visual and biomedical artist. She has instructed hundreds of students in schools and many adult classes, with the goal of always helping others find their inner artistic expression. Through this workshop, Rebecca seeks to share a creative way she worked through her own pregnancy loss with others who wish to do the same.

Rebecca loves to find ways to combine her background in occupational therapy with her life as a v... Read More

Jennifer Hammer (she/her) is an intuitive mentor and Certified Coach. She is also a Perinatal and Loss Specialist, Certified Infant Feeding Educator, Reiki Master and Peer-Group Facilitator for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.

Jennifer is a strong advocate for peer-support and believes it is a powerful stepping stone on the pathway towards healing. She founded Postpartum Support Calgary to cultivate a peer-run community for parents battling isolation. Jennifer currently offers guidance through her business Sacred Nest via private and group coaching. In her work she uses an integrative approach combining somatic and energetic healing, emotional mastery and subconscious re-programming.

It was her own personal experience navigating the loss of her first pregnancy and perinatal anxiety that propelled her into this work and joining the PILSC team as the Support Group Coordinator.

Jennifer Hammer (she/her) is an intuitive mentor and Certified Coach. She is also a Perinatal and... Read More

Chelle (she/her/hers) is a seasoned facilitator with 20+ years of experience supporting individuals, families, and couples in peer support, community engagement, and private practice. Volunteering with PILSC for two years, she offers post-abortion peer mentoring and group facilitation, drawing from her own journey of healing after a traumatic abortion. As the director of a Calgary women’s shelter where she has worked for 16+ years, Chelle focuses on empowerment and resilience, emphasizing the transformative power of peer-to-peer relationships. A solo mother of three, she brings humility, honesty, and gratitude to her roles both personally and professionally.

Chelle (she/her/hers) is a seasoned facilitator with 20+ years of experience supporting individua... Read More

Born and raised in apartheid South Africa, Emma witnessed the destructive impact of human ego, arrogance, and greed from a young age. After a career dedicated to community development and youth empowerment in various African communities, she moved to Canada in 2018 and completed her certifications in Life Coaching and Professional Counselling.

Emma is a mother to one living son and balances her time between being home with him, running her private counselling practice, volunteering for PILSC, and working part-time as an anti-racism community outreach worker at her local immigration agency.

Emma began her journey with PILSC in January 2023 when she joined a PILSC Weekly Late Loss Support Group as a participant. She has since become a PILSC Group Facilitator, Peer Mentor, and Rural Ambassador.

Born and raised in apartheid South Africa, Emma witnessed the destructive impact of human ego, ar... Read More

Read More

Kate is a multicultural, trauma-informed counsellor working with culturally different, immigrant or individual, couples and families looking to experience counselling that honors and incorporates their faith, spiritual, cultural beliefs, and values. In private practice she works in the areas of grief and loss, trauma and PTSD, culturally different couples, difficult relationship patterns and domestic abuse including survivors of narcissistic abuse.

Kate holds a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University and is a Certified Canadian Counsellor, Grief & Loss Educator and Group & Workshop Facilitator helping individuals, understand and work through challenges that diminish their wellbeing.

She is excited to join PILSC as a counsellor. From her own experience with grief, she recognizes that it is deeply personal and many times lonely. Her hope is that your journey together will be honoring of you and your family. Your loss matters!

Kate is a multicultural, trauma-informed counsellor working with culturally different, immigrant ... Read More

As a Pregnancy and Infant Loss Coach with PILSC I am here to provide unwavering support to individuals and couples navigating the often challenging journey of pregnancy, loss, and parenthood.

My heart is devoted to supporting people who have experienced the profound pain of trying to conceive, miscarriage at any stage, stillbirth, termination for medical reasons, or the journey towards becoming involuntarily childless. It’s becoming more widely acknowledged that the path to parenthood isn’t always straightforward, and I specialize in helping you find a way with self-compassion. Through my own experiences, I’ve also been led to specialize in grief that is layered with chronic health challenges and challenges to physical mobility.

In our coaching sessions, I offer a warm and neutral approach to create space for you to share emotions, fears, and hopes without judgment. Your grief and all of the stories that are being written on your heart will be held as a sacred aspect of your journey. Using reflective questions, we will gently dig into how you might connect with your pain and navigate this grief with a renewed sense of purpose.

I’m available to support you virtually or in person at the PILSC office located in Mohkinstis on Treaty 7 Land, Calgary, Alberta.

As a Pregnancy and Infant Loss Coach with PILSC I am here to provide unwavering support to indivi... Read More

Tamara is a Registered Midwife who believes that each person has the right to loving, respectful, evidence based care.

She understands the value in deeply supporting people who are experiencing, or have experienced pregnancy and infant loss, towards healing and wholeness. Her educational focus included primary research on the particular needs of those going through loss, and how healthcare practitioners can best support them.

She believes whole heartedly in informed choice and values partnering with clients for physical and emotional health and safety.

Midwives provide low risk perinatal healthcare. Services Tamara can offer in the centre include

*Post loss recovery assessment

*Pre-conception counselling

*Yearly physical follow-up ie: breast/chest exam, PAP

*Pregnancy-after-loss prenatal care

*Breastfeeding/chestfeeding check-in and referral

*Healthcare referral when necessary

Tamara is a Registered Midwife who believes that each person has the right to loving, respectful,... Read More

Mandy McCaughley (she/her) works in the health promotion field in Calgary, Alberta and is passionate about well-being and mental health.

In 2022, she and her partner made the heartbreaking decision to release their pregnancy with their second son, Rory, during the second trimester for medical reasons. This devastating loss completely turned her world upside down and she had no idea how to begin to cope with such immense grief. During this time, she was incredibly grateful to be connected to support at PILSC, including peer support groups and pregnancy and infant loss coaching. Connecting with other parents who had similar experiences helped her feel heard, validated, and not alone. Through this incredible community, she also learned ways that she could honour and integrate Rory into her and her family’s life, which has been a huge part of her healing journey.

In January 2024, Mandy became involved with PILSC as a volunteer mentor and peer group facilitator. She finds deep meaning by being able to connect with others navigating loss. She is honoured to be able to hear their stories, hold space for their experiences, and provide support.

Mandy McCaughley (she/her) works in the health promotion field in Calgary, Alberta and is passion... Read More

Read More

Steven (he/him/his) is a 38 year old father of three who has spent the last ten years in theatre and film and now is on a journey to practice Counselling and Social Work. ⁠ ⁠ He feels drawn to helping those at the Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support Centre as he and his wife lost their daughter in early 2020 and the support provided to them was incredible. ⁠ ⁠ He hopes to support others in the same way and show people they are not alone in these woods. Steven looks forward to speaking to you all.⁠

Steven (he/him/his) is a 38 year old father of three who has spent the last ten years in theatre ... Read More

Moneka (she/her) holds a Masters of Counselling psychology degree from Yorkville University and is registered with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association as a Canadian Certified Counsellor. Additionally, Moneka intends to become Registered with the College of Alberta Psychologists. Moneka has been a teacher for 15 years and has primarily worked with students with complex needs and youth at risk. Moneka currently teaches junior high and high school social studies and is the Inclusive Education coordinator for her rural school just east of Calgary.

Moneka’s journey to support others began from personal tragedy and birth trauma, embarking on these journeys Moneka realized the need for support and the loneliness, and stigma associated. As such, Moneka has a desire to walk with others as they share their own stories and support them through challenging times. Moneka provides person centered counselling through a trauma informed lens, utilizing interventions like emotional focused, mindfulness as well as acceptance and commitment therapy.

Moneka (she/her) holds a Masters of Counselling psychology degree from Yorkville University and i... Read More

Grief isn’t privy to loss of life; it also accompanies loss of an ability…

An OB once described me as a “boring” pregnant patient… no high blood pressure, no complications, just in-and-out with each check-up. I assumed labor and delivery of my first child would naturally follow that same, uncomplicated path. However, in April of 2023, I experienced a post-delivery hemorrhage. I woke up in the ICU to learn that I was in cardiac arrest for 4 minutes…a total hysterectomy and massive blood transfusion were conducted to save my life. The sacred organ that once bestowed my human power to conceive was now gone. Hopelessness, shame, and intrusive-thinking accompanied my grief journey. Through a year of cognitive therapy and a constant search for others who could understand this loss; I stumbled upon PILSC in a web search. As a resident of the U.S., I have yet to come across a unique, caring, mission-driven organization specific to loss and infertility. My newly formed qualities of vulnerability and bravery allow me to lean-in as a peer group facilitator so that others don’t have to walk alone with their loss.

Life is mysterious and yet, it’s worth exploring. Not all loss is the same and yet, we all experience it in some way in our lives. Together, we can help chip away at the emptiness of hopelessness, inability, anger, and pain to create new spaces for emotional growth; a newer, rawer, deeper version of ourselves.

Grief isn’t privy to loss of life; it also accompanies loss of an ability… An OB once described ... Read More

Read More

Hi there! I’m Lara and I use she/her or they/them pronouns. I am a strong believer in the importance of queer community connections and supporting those building or exploring what family means to them. I have a background in theatre and I work with organizations that focus on harm reduction and sexuality.

Hi there! I’m Lara and I use she/her or they/them pronouns. I am a strong believer in the importa... Read More

Read More

Nicole (she/her/hers) is a registered social worker with experience working in social services supporting individuals with disabilities, mental health, addiction, domestic violence and trauma.

In January 2020 Nicole made the difficult decision to release her pregnancy with her daughter, Luna, at 23 weeks for medical reasons. Seven months later Nicole’s second pregnancy with baby Nova ended suddenly at 7 weeks in a ruptured ectopic pregnancy.

Due to the nature of her loss Nicole did not see herself represented by the generic pregnancy loss supports in her community. Finding PILSC and their Difficult Decisions group connected Nicole to others who walked similar journeys to her own and allowed her the space to heal. Nicole is honoured to be a part of creating that safe, inclusive space for others who need it.

Nicole (she/her/hers) is a registered social worker with experience working in social services su... Read More

Hi my name is Helen Williamson and I go by she/her.

I have always loved helping people, whether it was the new graduates in my team at work, or the overseas members and helping them get to know the local customs and showing the area around. I was commonly named mummy Helen as a kind joke from the friends I gained.

Through my work I was always drawn to the group facilitation courses and enjoyed them immensely and gained so much from them. I want to give those experiences to others and after suffering my own miscarriage recently I want to help support others through the journey of moving forward with peer group facilitation.

Whilst my past trainings are in geophysics, training the new people, running meetings, being the team member to include everyone, I have recently gained my Certificate in Adult Learning, specializing in Workplace Learning. I love this opportunity to share the amazing things I have learned and the journey it put me through and being able to help others through it to.

Hi my name is Helen Williamson and I go by she/her. I have always loved helping people, whether ... Read More

ERIN WINTERS, PSYCHIC MEDIUM

Erin is a spiritual healer & psychic medium

Erin is psychic medium who works with spirit to provide loving guidance, meaningful messages, clarity, & gentle reassurance to her clients.

Erin has been an integral part of the Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support Centre from the beginning. She is very grateful to be offering her energetic channelings to this community.

ERIN WINTERS, PSYCHIC MEDIUM Erin is a spiritual healer & psychic medium Erin is psychic me... Read More