Thinking About Change? You’re Further Along Than You Realize!

Many people come to therapy when something in their life starts to feel off — a relationship that feels strained, a recurring pattern they’re tired of repeating, or an inner sense that they’re not quite living in alignment with who they want to be. Often, the desire for change starts as a quiet question: “Could things be different?”

If you’re here, reading this, it’s likely that you’ve already begun your journey.

At Reverie Therapy, based in Maple Ridge, BC, we often meet clients who feel unsure about whether they’re "ready" for counselling. The truth is, you don’t have to have everything figured out to begin. In fact, therapy can be helpful before you’re ready to take action — even before you fully understand what you want to change.

The Stages of Change model, developed by Prochaska and DiClemente (1983), helps explain the natural process of transformation — one that unfolds in stages, often with a few steps forward and some steps back. Understanding where you are in this process can bring compassion to your journey and clarity to your next steps.

Stage 1: Precontemplation

In this stage, change may not feel necessary yet — or it may feel impossible. People in this stage often come to therapy because someone else has suggested it, or because life circumstances have become challenging.

How therapy can help: A counsellor can gently help you explore the parts of your life that feel out of sync, without pressure to make decisions. Therapy at this stage is about planting seeds of insight and building trust.

Stage 2: Contemplation

Here, you’re starting to consider that change might be needed — but you may not know exactly what to do next. This stage can be full of ambivalence: part of you wants things to be different, and part of you is unsure, afraid, or overwhelmed.

How therapy can help: Together, we can explore what's bringing you to this point and help you untangle your thoughts. In my work as a Registered Clinical Counsellor at Reverie Therapy, I often support clients in this reflective phase — helping them build clarity and self-compassion without rushing the process.

Stage 3: Preparation

This is where thought starts to turn into intention. You might be ready to start journaling, setting goals or taking small steps toward change. Even booking your first therapy session is a sign you're in this stage.

How therapy can help: We can co-create a plan that feels manageable. Therapy can offer a safe space to test out ideas, set intentions, and prepare for deeper work at your own pace.

Stage 4: Action

You’re ready to make changes — whether that’s working through a relationship pattern, healing from past pain, or setting new boundaries. This is what people often imagine when they think of therapy: doing the work.

How therapy can help: This is where targeted strategies, emotional processing, and active growth happen. As your therapist, I’ll support you with tools, perspective, and compassionate accountability tailored to your goals.

Stage 5: Maintenance

In this phase, change becomes part of your life — but that doesn’t mean it’s effortless. You may still face challenges, and that’s normal. Maintenance is about sustainability.

How therapy can help: Ongoing counselling can help you stay grounded, reflect on progress, and adapt to new situations. It’s also a place to return to when life brings fresh challenges.

You Don’t Have to Be “Ready” to Begin

Change doesn’t have to start with a plan. It can start with a question, a feeling, or even a vague sense of discomfort. Whatever brought you here, it matters. You’re already on the path.

At Reverie Therapy in Maple Ridge, BC, we offer a supportive space for individuals and couples at every stage of change. Whether you’re just beginning to consider therapy, or you’re ready to dive in, you’re welcome here.

If you’re wondering what your next step might look like, I invite you to reach out. Let’s talk about where you are — and where you’d like to go.

Warmly,

Jess

References

Prochaska, J. O., & DiClemente, C. C. (1983). Stages and processes of self-change of smoking: Toward an integrative model of change. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 51(3), 390–395. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-006X.51.3.390

Prochaska, J. O., DiClemente, C. C., & Norcross, J. C. (1992). In search of how people change: Applications to addictive behaviors. American Psychologist, 47(9), 1102–1114. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.47.9.1102

Reaching Steady Ground: Individual Counselling for Anxiety at Reverie Therapy

Understanding Anxiety

Anxiety is one of the most common reasons people seek counselling, and for good reason. It can be a persistent and confusing experience — sometimes feeling like a vague unease, other times presenting as racing thoughts, tension in the body, panic, or an overwhelming sense that something isn’t right. For some, anxiety can escalate into sudden and intense episodes, such as panic attacks, which may feel overwhelming and disorienting. Whether it’s a constant undercurrent or a wave that crashes without warning, anxiety can be exhausting, isolating, and difficult to explain to others. In the midst of it, it’s easy to feel like you’re the only one dealing with anxiety, but support is available, and as a counsellor working with clients online and in-person in Maple Ridge, BC, my role is to help you navigate these feelings with understanding and care.

Anxiety as a Meaningful Signal

As a Registered Clinical Counsellor with an integrative approach, I view anxiety not as a flaw or dysfunction, but as a meaningful signal from the nervous system that something needs our attention. Anxiety often arises when something in our environment — or even in our thoughts — feels uncertain, unsafe, or unresolved. Our system reacts with protective energy, trying to prepare us for danger or help us regain control. While these responses are natural, they can sometimes become too sensitive or overactive, especially when we’ve experienced trauma, chronic stress, or prolonged emotional challenges.

A Holistic, Client-Centred Approach

At Reverie Therapy, I support clients in working with anxiety gently and holistically. Rather than focusing solely on symptom reduction, I invite clients to develop a deeper relationship with their anxiety — one that’s based on curiosity, compassion, and empowerment. My integrative framework combines evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), mindfulness practices, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and trauma-informed care. I also draw on somatic and attachment-oriented methods to help clients regulate their nervous system and reconnect with a sense of inner safety.

Beginning the Journey: Body Awareness and Grounding

In one of our first sessions, we might begin by exploring how anxiety shows up in the body — tight chest, shallow breath, racing heart — and learning grounding tools that help bring the system back into balance. From there, we may explore the deeper roots of anxiety: What stories are you telling yourself? What old wounds or unprocessed experiences might be influencing your current emotional landscape? What support systems and coping strategies are (or aren’t) in place?

Honouring Your Unique Experience

As we work together, we will look at both the internal and external pieces of the puzzle. In my practice, I honour each client’s lived experience and recognize the many layers — emotional, physical, relational, cultural — that contribute to how anxiety is felt and understood. No two people experience anxiety in the same way, which is why a flexible, client-centred approach is so essential.

Shifting the Narrative: Anxiety as a Signal, Not the Enemy

One of the most empowering shifts that can happen in counselling is when anxiety is no longer viewed as the enemy, the problem, or the thing that is “wrong,” but instead as a signal that something within us needs care. With time, support, and the right tools, it becomes possible to respond to anxiety with more confidence and clarity — rather than fear or avoidance.

You Are Not Alone

If you’re living with anxiety, please know you don’t have to face it alone. When you’re ready, Reverie Therapy is here to support you with compassionate, personalized care in a safe and collaborative space. Together, we can work toward connection, insight, and growth.

Warmly,

Jess

Growing Together Through Postpartum: How Couples Counselling Can Strengthen Your Bond

The postpartum period often stands out among life’s most transformative experiences for couples. As you welcome a new life into the world, your relationship will also undergo a profound shift. While joy and excitement often fill this time, so do moments of disconnection and emotional overwhelm. Many couples find themselves wondering, Are we okay? Is it normal to feel distant? Are we the only ones struggling? The truth is: you’re not alone—and couples counselling at Reverie Therapy in Maple Ridge, BC can help.

Why Connection Can Fade (and How to Rebuild it With Support)

It is common for the connection between partners to quietly slip away in the chaos of early parenthood. Sleepless nights, hormonal changes, and the relentless demands of caring for a newborn can leave couples feeling more like teammates managing tasks than partners in love. The daily rhythm you had become familiar with in your relationship can shift so drastically that there may be precious little energy left for intimacy, affection, or meaningful conversation. During the early days in the postpartum period, many couples find themselves simply trying to make it through the day, leaving little room for emotional closeness. Moreover, when parental responsibilities begin to shift unevenly, what once felt like a balanced partnership can begin to feel unfair. One partner may carry more of the invisible load, while the other feels increasingly out of sync, leading to feelings of isolation, frustration, and quiet resentment. Left unspoken, these emotions can slowly create distance between you. Couples counselling at Reverie Therapy offers a safe, supportive space to name these struggles without shame or blame. It helps partners reconnect with empathy, learn to validate each other’s experiences, and rebuild emotional and physical closeness. With warm, engaging and experienced counselling support that fits your needs, reconnection isn’t just possible—it can become the foundation for a deeper, more resilient relationship.

What Couples Counselling Looks Like in Postpartum and Beyond

Couples often wait until they’re in crisis before seeking counselling, however, the postpartum period offers a unique opportunity to address challenges before they become overwhelming. This time of transition, filled with new routines and emotional shifts, is an ideal moment to nurture and strengthen your relationship. In couples counselling at Reverie Therapy, you’ll gain valuable tools to navigate the evolving dynamics of your partnership with understanding and empathy. Sessions may cover a wide range of topics, from adjusting to the shifting roles and responsibilities that come with parenthood to learning how to effectively communicate and meet each other’s needs for both intimacy and personal space. You’ll also learn how to support each other’s mental health, prioritize self-care, and communicate effectively in times of emotional strain. Think of couples counselling not as a sign that something’s wrong, but as a proactive, loving commitment to staying connected and thriving together during one of life’s most transformative experiences.

Creating a Safe Space for Honest Communication and Emotional Support

So much can go unsaid during postpartum, fears about the baby’s sleep and feeding, worries about parenting, and even deep, often unspoken grief over how life has changed. Couples may feel a sense of loss as they adjust to their new roles and the profound changes in their relationship. The life they once knew—spontaneous outings, quiet nights, or even the simple freedom of time spent together—can feel distant, and the future may seem uncertain. This grief can manifest as sadness, frustration, anger, or even a longing for the way things used to be. Many couples don’t know how to talk about these feelings with each other, or fear being misunderstood. Couples counselling at Reverie Therapy creates a compassionate space where both partners can express their emotions freely and safely. With gentle guidance, you’ll learn how to communicate more openly, listen more deeply, and support each other through vulnerability.

From Surviving to Thriving: Building a Stronger Partnership Through Life’s Biggest Transition

The transition to parenthood is not just about caring for your baby—it is about learning to care for each other in new and meaningful ways. Couples counselling at Reverie Therapy in Maple Ridge, BC, can help you move beyond survival mode and into a place of emotional and relational flourishing. With tools for empathy, communication, and shared resilience, you can deepen your connection, gain insight into each other’s needs, and experience growth that strengthens your bond through every stage of parenthood.

You Don’t Have to Do This Alone—Reach Out for Support

If you’re feeling distant from your partner, overwhelmed by change, or simply want to nurture your relationship during this time, Reverie Therapy can offer support. If you are interested in getting started on working together, please reach out. I look forward to hearing from you.

Warmly,

Jess

Why I Founded Reverie Therapy: My Journey to Empowering Parents Through Counselling

Reverie Therapy was founded in Maple Ridge, British Columbia in 2024. But for me, the journey toward building a clinical counselling practice with a focus on maternal mental health and couples counselling has been a lifetime in the making. As a mother, I understand how challenging the transition to parenthood can be, and how essential, yet overwhelming it can feel to find and build a strong support network. Parents were never meant to do all of this alone, nor should we have to. As a Registered Clinical Counsellor, I strive to play a role in clients’ network of support and care. I have seen firsthand the transformative impact that specialized support such as clinical counselling can have on individuals, couples, and families. This is what motivates my virtual and in-person counselling work with mothers navigating maternal mental health, and with couples choosing to prioritize their relationship throughout their parenting journey.

Shared Experiences

I believe in the power of sharing my personal experiences, both in my writing and sometimes even during sessions with counselling clients. Doing so allows me to be transparent and authentic, offering a glimpse into my own journey as a parent. This not only fosters a deeper connection with my clients but also demonstrates that I truly understand the unique challenges and emotions they experience. As a counsellor, it is important for me to acknowledge that I have been there, and that my insights come from both professional knowledge and personal lived experience. Sharing these experiences helps to create a safe, empathetic space where clients feel understood and supported.

Finding My Path as a Counsellor

Like many others who find their way toward work they are passionate about, my path to becoming a Registered Clinical Counsellor specializing in maternal mental health and couples counselling was deeply shaped by my own journey. Years ago, after waiting for what felt like the “right” time to start a family, I was delighted to discover I was pregnant. Twelve weeks into this first pregnancy, I suffered a miscarriage. At the time, miscarriage was rarely talked about, and I didn’t realize how common it was. I felt utterly devastated, overwhelmed by grief, and all I wanted was to talk to someone who understood. With my background and experience, I knew where to look for support, but I found it incredibly difficult to find the specialized mental health care I needed within my community.

“I felt utterly devastated, overwhelmed by grief, and all I wanted was to talk to someone who understood.”

— Jess Preston

Over the next few years, I gave birth to two healthy daughters, but my experiences with pregnancy, birth, and postpartum were far from easy. In addition to experiencing birth trauma, I found it difficult to adjust to my new role as a mother and noticed that many relationships in my life had changed. I knew that I, too, had changed, in ways that I didn’t yet understand, and at times, I felt incredibly isolated. Once again, I struggled to find the specialized support I needed, but eventually, I built a meaningful therapeutic relationship with a Registered Clinical Counsellor. This had a profound and lasting impact on my well-being and further reinforced my belief that finding the right “fit” when it comes to the counsellor-client relationship can be vital.

Observing a Need

As I connected with others in the parenting community through my parenting journey, I continued to hear the same concerns from mothers: they were struggling, feeling isolated, and disconnected from their partners, families, and support networks. I became determined to step up and bridge the gap I saw so many mothers and expectant mothers falling into. I didn’t want anyone else to endure what I had gone through. I believe that every parent deserves the resources and empowerment to thrive—not only for their family but for themselves. While raising my own young children, I tapped into this deep well of motivation to support parents in my community. After several years, a graduate degree in Counselling Psychology, and a few gray hairs, I became a Registered Clinical Counsellor and founded Reverie Therapy in Maple Ridge, British Columbia.

“I became determined to step up and bridge the gap I saw so many mothers and expectant mothers fall into.”

— Jess Preston

A Focus on Maternal Mental Health

Maternal mental health is often overlooked and underserved in the broader mental health landscape, despite its critical importance throughout the journey of parenthood. Encompassing pregnancy and the prenatal period, birth, postpartum, perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, fertility struggles, pregnancy loss, stillbirth, family transitions, and more, maternal mental health is a vital aspect of well-being that affects not only the individual mother but the entire family unit. Addressing these issues with the appropriate care and support is essential to ensure mothers can navigate the challenges they face and thrive in their new roles.

Through Reverie Therapy, I provide a dedicated focus on maternal mental health because I recognize how essential it is to offer specialized support during this transformative time. I understand that the mental and emotional well-being of mothers directly impacts their ability to care for themselves, their families, and ultimately, their communities. By offering tailored therapeutic care, I aim to empower mothers to embrace their journey with confidence, resilience, and a strong support system. Through this focused approach, I hope to promote healing, well-being, and balance for both mothers and their families, creating a foundation for healthier, more connected relationships.

Observing the Link Between Maternal Mental Health and Couples Counselling

The challenges of maternal mental health and the impact on relationships during the transition to parenthood are deeply interconnected. This is why my work with mothers naturally extends to couples counselling as well. The transition to parenthood is a profound and transformative experience for every couple, and it can also place significant stress and strain on the relationship. Couples often find themselves navigating new roles, responsibilities, and dynamics, which can lead to misunderstandings, conflicts, and a sense of disconnect within the relationship. These issues are often not acknowledged as normative within our society at large, and therefore, many couples and individuals are left feeling like they are the only ones struggling.

Understanding the importance of a supportive and equitable partnership within the context of parenting, I have centred couples counselling as a core component of my clinical work at Reverie Therapy. By providing a space for parents to communicate openly, find a sense of equity, resolve conflicts, and strengthen their bond, I aim to foster a supportive environment that empowers couples and benefits families.

A Final Word

I hope that by sharing a glimpse into my personal journey towards founding Reverie Therapy, both current and prospective clients will feel a sense of connection with my story, and gain a deeper understanding of what motivates me to do this work. I believe that sharing this personal insight will provide clarity on whether we might be a good fit to work together and offer clients the confidence that they are supported by someone who truly understands the complexities of parenthood and mental health.

Through my clinical counselling work at Reverie Therapy, my goal is to contribute to empowering parents, offering them the tools, support and empowerment needed to thrive in their roles and build healthier, happier families. I envision a future where families are better equipped to handle the challenges of parenthood, and society as a whole becomes more understanding, compassionate, and supportive of the mental health needs of parents.

Let’s Connect!

I would be honoured to be a part of a transformative journey with you, and I look forward to the opportunity to connect, find insight and foster growth together as you navigate your path to well-being and fulfillment. Through this work, we can create positive change that reaches beyond individual families to create a ripple effect of growth and healing within our communities.

If you are interested in getting started on working together, please reach out. I look forward to hearing from you.

Warmly,

Jess