Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about therapy for overwhelmed parents, perinatal support, ADHD, and working with me. If you don't see your question here, feel free to reach out, I'm happy to answer.

About Parent Support Therapy

  • Both. This work addresses your child's needs and your own capacity at the same time. They're connected.

    We'll work on understanding what's driving your child's behavior: their developmental stage, sensory needs, emotional regulation capacity, and nervous system patterns. You'll gain practical, neurodivergent-affirming strategies for supporting your child's specific needs.


    And we'll also address what's depleting you: the mental load, sensory overwhelm, emotional demands, and nervous system depletion that make it hard to respond the way you want to. When you feel more regulated and resourced, you're better able to implement strategies that actually help your child.

    This isn't either/or. It's both/and. Your child's needs matter, and so do yours. We don't ignore one to address the other.

  • Yes. Many parents slowly lose access to themselves while caring deeply for their families. This happens gradually. You stop doing things you enjoy, your friendships fade into the background, your body's signals for rest get ignored. You tell yourself this is temporary, that it's just this phase, but the exhaustion compounds.

    This doesn't mean you're doing anything wrong. It means you've been carrying the emotional load of family life without enough recovery time or support. When parents come to therapy feeling this way, we work on understanding what's happened to their capacity and how to begin reclaiming space for themselves, not as a luxury, but as necessary for sustainable parenting.

  • That's often where this work begins. Many parents arrive focused on their child's behavior, anxiety, or big emotions, and discover partway through that tending to their own nervous system is what allows real change to happen.

    Supporting parents is one of the most effective ways to support children. Children learn regulation through the adults around them. When parents feel more regulated, resourced, and steady, children respond. This doesn't mean the work is about "fixing" you instead of your child. It means we're addressing the whole family system in a way that creates lasting change rather than temporary management strategies.

    This work holds space for both: your deep care for your child and your own very real exhaustion.

  • If you're noticing exhaustion that won't lift, feeling more reactive than you want to be, or constantly worried about your child, that's enough. You don't need to wait until things feel unmanageable. Many parents find therapy most helpful when they start before reaching crisis, not after.

    You don't need to be "bad enough" to deserve support. You don't need to have it all figured out before you start. Therapy isn't just for crisis. It's for people who want to understand what's happening and build more capacity before things become unmanageable.

    If you're reading this and something resonates, that's enough of a reason to reach out.

  • No. Many families I work with don't have formal diagnoses for themselves or their children. We focus on understanding patterns, capacity, and nervous system needs rather than requiring labels to begin.

    That said, if you're navigating ADHD, autism, sensory processing differences, or other neurodivergent profiles, whether diagnosed or suspected, this work is neurodivergent-affirming. I understand how different nervous systems work and won't pathologize what's actually just difference.

    You don't need to have everything figured out to start. Uncertainty about whether therapy is "for you" is often the signal that something needs attention.

  • I bring a unique combination of clinical counselling training and extensive pediatric occupational therapy experience. This means I understand both child development and adult nervous system work deeply, not theoretically, but through over a decade of hands-on work with children, youth, and families.

    This dual lens allows me to support the whole family system. We work on understanding your child's behavior AND building your own capacity to respond with steadiness. You don't have to choose between your child's needs and your own. Both get addressed.

    My approach is neurodivergent-affirming, trauma-informed, and focused on sustainable change rather than quick fixes or behavior management strategies alone.

  • Parents often come to therapy concerned about their child's behavior, anxiety, or big emotions. That makes complete sense. When your child is struggling, it's natural to focus there first.

    But this work takes a different approach. Rather than treating your child's behavior as the problem to be fixed in isolation, we look at what's happening in the whole family system. We work on understanding what's driving your child's behavior (developmental needs, sensory processing, emotional regulation) while also addressing what's depleting you so you have bandwidth for the parenting you want to do.

    You don't have to choose between your child's needs and your own. Both get addressed. Both matter.

Perinatal & Postpartum

  • You don't need to wait until things are "bad enough." Many people benefit most from starting therapy during pregnancy or early postpartum, before patterns of depletion become deeply entrenched.

    If you're experiencing anxiety, depression, intrusive thoughts, relationship strain, or just a sense that something feels off, that's enough reason to reach out. Therapy isn't only for crisis. It's for building capacity and support during one of life's most demanding transitions.

    Some people also start therapy months or years after having a baby, when they realize the postpartum exhaustion never lifted. Whenever you recognize the need for support is the right time.

  • Yes. Baby blues affect up to 80% of new mothers and typically resolve within 2-3 weeks after birth. Symptoms include mood swings, crying, anxiety, and difficulty sleeping, but they're temporary and mild.

    Postpartum depression (PPD) is more severe, lasts longer, and doesn't resolve on its own. Symptoms include persistent sadness, difficulty bonding with baby, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, loss of interest in activities, changes in appetite, and sometimes thoughts of harming yourself or your baby.

    If symptoms persist beyond two weeks, worsen over time, or interfere with your ability to care for yourself or your baby, it's important to seek support. PPD is treatable, and you don't have to wait to see if it gets better on its own.

  • Many parents experience difficulty bonding with their baby, especially in the early weeks and months. This can happen for many reasons: birth trauma, postpartum depression, exhaustion, anxiety, or simply the reality that bonding takes time and doesn't always happen instantly.

    Not feeling connected to your baby doesn't make you a bad parent. It makes you human, and it's something we can work on together. Therapy can help you process what's getting in the way of connection and build the capacity to be present with your baby in ways that feel authentic, not forced.

    Bonding is a process, not a moment. With support, connection grows.

  • Yes, if that feels helpful. Some people prefer individual sessions to focus on their own experience, while others find it valuable to include their partner, especially when relationship dynamics or communication patterns need attention.

    We can discuss during your consultation what format would work best for you. This work supports individuals, couples, and families, depending on what you need.

  • This is more common than you might think. For many parents, the nervous system depletion that begins in pregnancy or the postpartum period continues, unaddressed, into years of active parenting. Your body remembers the depletion even after your baby starts sleeping through the night. Your nervous system holds the stress of birth trauma, overwhelming responsibility, and the loss of yourself that happened during those early months.


    Understanding where the exhaustion started helps us address what's keeping you depleted now. Whether you're currently in the thick of new motherhood or you're years past it but still running on empty, this work addresses the root nervous system depletion, not just the symptoms.

    If this resonates, you might also want to explore parent support therapy, which addresses the ongoing exhaustion of active parenting.

  • I bring a unique combination of clinical counselling training and extensive pediatric occupational therapy experience. This means I understand both child development and adult nervous system work deeply, not theoretically, but through over a decade of hands-on work with children, youth, and families.

    This dual lens allows me to support the whole family system. We work on understanding your child's behavior AND building your own capacity to respond with steadiness. You don't have to choose between your child's needs and your own. Both get addressed.

    My approach is neurodivergent-affirming, trauma-informed, and focused on sustainable change rather than quick fixes or behavior management strategies alone.

  • Parents often come to therapy concerned about their child's behavior, anxiety, or big emotions. That makes complete sense. When your child is struggling, it's natural to focus there first.

    But this work takes a different approach. Rather than treating your child's behavior as the problem to be fixed in isolation, we look at what's happening in the whole family system. We work on understanding what's driving your child's behavior (developmental needs, sensory processing, emotional regulation) while also addressing what's depleting you so you have bandwidth for the parenting you want to do.

    You don't have to choose between your child's needs and your own. Both get addressed. Both matter.

ADHD Therapy for Women

  • Yes. I'm a Certified ADHD Professional and work extensively with ADHD women, especially mothers navigating the overwhelm of parenting while managing their own ADHD. My approach is neurodivergent-affirming, which means I don't pathologize differences or try to force people into neurotypical strategies.

    I understand how ADHD nervous systems work and help women stop fighting against their brains and build regulation strategies that actually fit how they're wired.

  • ADHD can intensify the already-high demands of parenting. Executive function challenges make it harder to manage schedules, transitions, and the constant decision-making of family life. Sensory sensitivities mean you might feel "touched out" or overwhelmed by noise more quickly. Emotional regulation difficulties can lead to reactive responses you later regret.

    Many ADHD parents describe feeling like they're always behind, struggling to keep up with neurotypical parenting expectations while also managing their own nervous system needs. This work helps you understand your ADHD nervous system, stop fighting against your brain, and build regulation strategies that actually fit how you're wired.

    If you're parenting neurodivergent children while managing your own ADHD, the demands are even higher. Supporting yourself isn't selfish—it's essential.

  • Yes. While therapy doesn't "fix" ADHD, it can help you develop strategies that work with your brain rather than against it. We focus on understanding your specific executive function challenges (planning, organization, time management, task initiation, emotional regulation) and building sustainable systems that fit your actual life, not some idealized neurotypical version.

    This might include nervous system regulation tools, environmental modifications, body-based practices, and understanding when to stop trying harder and start trying differently.

  • Yes. Many women are diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood, often after years of feeling like everything is harder for them than it seems to be for everyone else. Late diagnosis comes with its own challenges: grieving what could have been different, unlearning shame, and rebuilding your self-concept without pathology.

    This work helps you understand your ADHD not as something broken to fix, but as a different nervous system that requires different support. We work on regulation, capacity, and building strategies that honor how your brain actually works.

  • This is more common than you might think. For many parents, the nervous system depletion that begins in pregnancy or the postpartum period continues, unaddressed, into years of active parenting. Your body remembers the depletion even after your baby starts sleeping through the night. Your nervous system holds the stress of birth trauma, overwhelming responsibility, and the loss of yourself that happened during those early months.


    Understanding where the exhaustion started helps us address what's keeping you depleted now. Whether you're currently in the thick of new motherhood or you're years past it but still running on empty, this work addresses the root nervous system depletion, not just the symptoms.

    If this resonates, you might also want to explore parent support therapy, which addresses the ongoing exhaustion of active parenting.

  • I bring a unique combination of clinical counselling training and extensive pediatric occupational therapy experience. This means I understand both child development and adult nervous system work deeply, not theoretically, but through over a decade of hands-on work with children, youth, and families.

    This dual lens allows me to support the whole family system. We work on understanding your child's behavior AND building your own capacity to respond with steadiness. You don't have to choose between your child's needs and your own. Both get addressed.

    My approach is neurodivergent-affirming, trauma-informed, and focused on sustainable change rather than quick fixes or behavior management strategies alone.

  • Parents often come to therapy concerned about their child's behavior, anxiety, or big emotions. That makes complete sense. When your child is struggling, it's natural to focus there first.

    But this work takes a different approach. Rather than treating your child's behavior as the problem to be fixed in isolation, we look at what's happening in the whole family system. We work on understanding what's driving your child's behavior (developmental needs, sensory processing, emotional regulation) while also addressing what's depleting you so you have bandwidth for the parenting you want to do.

    You don't have to choose between your child's needs and your own. Both get addressed. Both matter.

Practical Details

  • Sessions are 50 minutes long, typically weekly or bi-weekly depending on your needs and what feels sustainable. We meet via secure video call (virtual therapy across BC) or in-person at my Vancouver office.

    In sessions, we work on understanding what's happening beneath the surface—in your child's behavior, your nervous system, your family patterns—and building capacity for sustainable change. This isn't about learning to "cope better" or manage symptoms. It's about understanding what's driving the depletion and rebuilding capacity in ways that fit your real life.

    Therapy is collaborative, not prescriptive. I won't tell you what you "should" do or feel. We'll work together to understand patterns, build regulation, and move toward the parenting and life you want.

    I understand how ADHD nervous systems work and help women stop fighting against their brains and build regulation strategies that actually fit how they're wired.

  • Yes. I provide virtual therapy to clients anywhere in British Columbia. Virtual sessions are secure, confidential, and just as effective as in-person therapy. They work especially well for overwhelmed parents who don't have time for commuting or childcare logistics.

    I also offer in-person sessions at my Vancouver office for clients who prefer face-to-face meetings.

  • This varies depending on what you're working on and what your goals are. Some people find 8-12 sessions helpful for specific challenges (like postpartum adjustment or a particular parenting concern). Others benefit from longer-term support (6+ months) when addressing deeper patterns like chronic burnout, complex trauma, or long-standing nervous system dysregulation.

    We'll talk about this during your consultation and reassess regularly. Therapy ends when you feel ready, not when I think you "should" be done.

    This might include nervous system regulation tools, environmental modifications, body-based practices, and understanding when to stop trying harder and start trying differently.

  • I see clients weekly at a consistent day and time. This standing appointment is held for you each week, which means you don't have to worry about rebooking or losing your spot.

    Consistency is actually part of what makes therapy effective. When your nervous system knows when to expect this space, it can settle more fully into the work.

    If your schedule changes or you need to miss a session, we can adjust. I just ask for 24 hours notice when possible, and we'll reschedule or plan breaks ahead of time.

    This work helps you understand your ADHD not as something broken to fix, but as a different nervous system that requires different support. We work on regulation, capacity, and building strategies that honor how your brain actually works.

  • Life with children is unpredictable, and I understand that. I ask for 24-48 hours notice when possible for cancellations or rescheduling. We'll discuss my specific cancellation policy during your consultation.

    If you need to cancel last-minute due to illness, childcare emergencies, or other urgent situations, we'll work it out. The goal is sustainable therapy that fits your real life, not adding more stress.

    Understanding where the exhaustion started helps us address what's keeping you depleted now. Whether you're currently in the thick of new motherhood or you're years past it but still running on empty, this work addresses the root nervous system depletion, not just the symptoms.

    If this resonates, you might also want to explore parent support therapy, which addresses the ongoing exhaustion of active parenting.

  • Great question! Both but not all at once. In Vancouver BC, I am a registered clinical counsellor and practice psychotherapy. The first ten years of my career I practiced occupational therapy in NYC. My current business delivers counselling however, I utilize my extensive OT experience and unique OT lens to inform my counselling practice. I continue to be a licensed OT in several US states and am a member of NBCOT.

Fees & Insurance

  • Fees are discussed during your free 15-minute consultation. I want to make sure we're a good fit before discussing costs.

    Individual therapy sessions are 50 minutes. I provide detailed receipts for insurance reimbursement.

  • Many extended health plans cover Registered Clinical Counsellors (RCC). I provide detailed receipts you can submit to your insurance company for reimbursement.

    To check your coverage:

    1. Contact your insurance provider

    2. Ask if they cover "Registered Clinical Counsellors" or "RCC"

    3. Ask about your annual coverage limit and any restrictions

    I don't bill insurance directly, but I make the reimbursement process as simple as possible with detailed invoices.I also offer in-person sessions at my Vancouver office for clients who prefer face-to-face meetings.

  • Yes. I'm an AFU-approved provider, and many families use their Autism Funding Unit allocation for parent support and family therapy. 

    AFU funding isn't just for direct work with your child. It can also be used for parent therapy, family support, and building your capacity to support your neurodivergent child. This is an eligible and valuable use of your funding because supporting parents is one of the most effective ways to support the whole family system.

    If you're navigating the AFU system, I can provide the necessary documentation and invoicing. We'll discuss this during your consultation to ensure you understand how to access your funding.We'll talk about this during your consultation and reassess regularly. Therapy ends when you feel ready, not when I think you "should" be done.

    This might include nervous system regulation tools, environmental modifications, body-based practices, and understanding when to stop trying harder and start trying differently.

  • I occasionally have limited sliding scale spots available for families experiencing financial hardship. If cost is a barrier to accessing therapy, please mention this during your consultation and we can discuss options.

    My priority is making therapy accessible to the parents who need it most, while also maintaining a sustainable practice.

  • I accept credit cards, debit cards, and e-transfer. Payment is typically due at the time of service. We'll discuss specific payment details during your consultation.

Getting Started

  • You can book a free 15-minute consultation directly through my website, on my Jane site https://lisabrooksconsulting.janeapp.com/ or by emailing me at lisa@nurturedfoundations.com.

    The consultation is a brief video call where we talk about what's going on for you, answer any questions you have about therapy, and figure out together if working with me makes sense. There's no pressure or obligation, just a conversation.

  • In our 15-minute call, we'll slow down for a moment. I'll listen to what's going on for you, answer any questions you have about therapy, and we'll figure out together if working with me makes sense.

    This isn't a sales pitch. It's a conversation. You'll get a sense of my approach, and I'll get a sense of what you're navigating. If it feels like a good fit, we'll talk about next steps. If not, I can point you toward other resources.

  • No preparation needed. Just show up as you are. It helps to think about what's bringing you to therapy right now, but you don't need to have a clear articulated "problem." Sometimes people just know something feels off, and that's enough.

  • After you book, I'll send you intake forms to complete before your first session. These help me understand your background and what you're hoping to work on.


    Your first session (50 minutes) is a chance to talk more in-depth about what's going on, your history, and what you're hoping to get from therapy. We'll also discuss logistics: scheduling, fees, how therapy works, and any questions you have.

    From there, we'll typically meet weekly or bi-weekly, depending on what feels sustainable for you.

  • That's completely okay. Not every therapist is the right fit for every person, and sometimes you don't know until you try. If you feel like we're not a good match, we can talk about it openly and I can help you find a referral to someone who might be a better fit.


    The goal is for you to get the support you need, even if that means it's not with me.

Still Have Questions?

How do I book a consultation?

If you didn't find your answer here, I'm happy to talk. You can book a free 15-minute consultation to discuss anything that's on your mind, or send me an email at lisa@nurturedfoundations.com.

You don't need to have everything figured out before reaching out. That's what the consultation is for.

Book a Free Consultation
Send Me an Email