“We don’t heal in isolation, but in community.”

-S. Kelley. Harrell-

Land Acknowledgment

At the Reproductive and Perinatal Trauma Centre, we acknowledge that we are settlers presenting on Treaty 6 Territory within the Métis homelands and Métis Nation of Alberta Region 4. We recognize this land as the traditional territories of many First Nations, such as the Nehiyaw (Cree), Denesuliné (Dene), Nakota Sioux (Stoney), Anishinaabe (Saulteaux) and Niitsitapi (Blackfoot). We understand that each of us, as helpers and caregivers where individuals are vulnerable and seeking support are in positions of power and know that it is a privilege and an honour to serve on this land. We acknowledge that as psychologists and helpers in a field, our professions have contributed to the harm of marginalized groups, including Indigenous people. We are continually working on unlearning and working towards reconciliation.

 

Our Mission:

At the Reproductive & Perinatal Trauma Centre, individuals, couples and families will find trauma-informed, evidence-based, client-centred best practices.

RPTC is LGBTQIA + friendly and works hard to be an ally to the BIPOC communities that we support. It’s essential for our organization to recognize issues directly affecting the LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities locally and at large and to provide grace (and hopefully space!) for employee reflection and discussion about these issues. At RPTC we strive to listen to the storytelling and experiences shared and lift others up by advocating for them. We understand that we are students in these moments and that our clients are in the role of experts about their experiences. We respect and acknowledge preferred pronouns, names and identities. We also aim to recognize the impact that decisions made by our organization will have on our LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC employees and community.

How it Began…

The Reproductive and Perinatal Trauma Centre was inspired during the Founder’s most difficult times in her healing journey after birth trauma. Teela is a survivor of birth trauma through midwifery violence and an excessive hemorrhage that risked her life, requiring blood transfusions and a period in the hospital. Six weeks later, she would hemorrhage again due to a retained placenta and require another hospitalization and surgery.

Twelve weeks postpartum, she created the Instagram @theteaonbirthtrauma to connect with other survivors and create a safe space where others could share their stories, hear other people’s experiences, and learn about research evidence to support their journeys. This community has grown to support over 29,000 and help create awareness of this issue, which impacts 1 in 3 and up to 45% of people.

While Teela’s passion for amplifying the voices of survivors through her therapy room, IG and research continued to grow, she began to notice a trend in other areas of reproductive and perinatal health. So many people and issues are silenced. She noticed that if things were not going “right” or were “positive,” those individuals were often left isolated and alone, further growing their symptoms.

Teela decided to start this centre as a love letter to these communities. It would be a place where they could step into, where their voices and experiences would feel heard, seen, and held by trauma-informed providers. And where we could begin to change the narrative and support these communities are given.

Welcome to RPTC, where we amplify silenced experiences.