Renée Ahmadi,
Perinatal Intern Counsellor
Seasoned doula turned perinatal counsellor, Renée Ahmadi is a graduate student and intern counsellor offering affordable, professional mental health help for pregnant and postpartum parents in the Victoria and Island Health area.
Mental Wellness Support To Help You Thrive in Parenthood.
Many new and expectant parents feel overly stressed, overwhelmed, and unable to fully enjoy their pregnancy, or their new baby.
One in five mothers suffer from such mental distress in their perinatal period, as do one in ten partners. But effective treatment is available, so there’s no need to keep struggling.
Call the number below to regain confidence in parenthood and thrive in help and support through this network, or just to book a first counselling session with Renée Ahmadi.
The struggles you’re facing
Pregnancy, birth, and early parenthood can feel overwhelming. You may be processing anxiety, depression, relationship changes, or grief from pregnancy loss. The emotional weight and impacts are too much.
The support you seek
You want to feel grounded and confident during this transformative time. You seek someone who understands the unique challenges of pregnancy, birth, and early parenthood—and can help you process difficult emotions while honoring your autonomy.
Meet Renée: Your guide through perinatal transitions and struggles
As a full spectrum doula for more than 10 years, I provided continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to parents before, during, and after childbirth. This front-row experience with families during their most vulnerable moments showed me the profound need for deeper emotional support.
It gave me unique insights into the mental health and relationship challenges that new families face. Recognizing my natural ability to provide this care, I returned to school to become a mental health professional.
Now in my final year of my Master of Counselling Psychology degree, I combine extensive doula experience with clinical counselling training to support individuals and couples through:
- Perinatal mental health challenges: pregnancy anxiety, postpartum depression, and adjustment difficulties
- Birth trauma recovery: processing difficult birth experiences and their emotional impact
- Grief and loss: miscarriage, stillbirth, and infant loss
- Relationship transitions: navigating communication, evolving needs, and changing identities as partners and parents
- Life transitions: building coping strategies and advocating for equitable treatment
- Pregnancy options: supporting and empowering you to make decisions about an unplanned pregnancy that are right for you.
My fifteen years teaching yoga—including perinatal yoga for all family members—informs my whole-person approach that honors the integral connection of mind and body.
How we’ll work together
I will create a respectful, collaborative therapeutic environment where you can:
- Process complex emotions around pregnancy, birth, parenthood, and relationship changes without judgment.
- Identify your unique strengths and resources as individuals and as a family, supporting your informed decision-making.
- Develop practical strategies to navigate transitions while strengthening your relationships and sense of autonomy.
What life can look like
Parents often experience:
✓ Reduced anxiety and increased confidence in their parenting journey
✓ Better communication and stronger partnership
✓ Improved ability to process difficult emotions and experiences
✓ Greater sense of autonomy and informed decision-making
✓ Renewed connection to their own wisdom and strength
The benefits of early support
Research shows that addressing perinatal mental health challenges early leads to better outcomes for the whole family. When you have the right support, small struggles don’t have to become overwhelming ones.
You deserve the benefits of early support and guidance as you move through this significant life transition.
When It’s Time Replace Struggle with Support . . .
Call the Perinatal Program Coordinator to learn more or schedule a first counselling session with Renée.
More About Renée Ahmadi
Availability
New clients are welcome:
- Tuesdays (mid-afternoon to early evening)
- Thursdays (morning, afternoon, early evening)
- Fridays (morning to early afternoon)
- Click here to view Renée’s availability
Fees
Affordable Intern Counselling Program:
- $80 for a 50 minute session
- Fees cover the cost of rent, operations, and supervision
- When you book your first session with Renée through our Care Coordinator, you’ll be asked to select an affordable rate for the sessions — from $40 to $80.
Clients
Who Renée helps:
- Adults
- Individuals
- Couples
Focus Areas
Renée helps parents through:
- Perinatal anxiety & depression
- Birth trauma recovery
- Pregnancy loss & grief
- Relationship transitions
- Postpartum adjustment
- Couples communication
And she helps people with a disability to:
- Cope with a new diagnosis or challenge
- Develop strategies for transitionning and managing a disability
Counselling
Formats
- In office (most parents)
- By video (when requested)
Education
Qualifications:
- Master of Counselling student, City University, Interurban Campus, Victoria (Final year).
Other Degrees:
- Master of Arts, Disability Management, University of Northern British Columbia, 2016.
- Bachelor of Child & Youth Care, University of Victoria, 2009.
Certifications:
- DONA Birth and Postpartum Doula (since 2014).
- Certified Yoga Teacher (15+ years).
Affiliations
Professional Standing:
- Student Member, BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC)
Clinical Superviser
Supervision by Traci McGee:
- On-site supervision at the McGee Therapy Clinic
- Traci McGee holds multiple counselling registrations and certifications including Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS) and Certified Perinatal Mental Health professional (PMH-C)
- Additional, off-site supervision by counselling faculty at City University
Personal Pronouns
She/Her
Languages
English
Take The First Step Today.
Call the Perinatal Program to learn more or schedule a session with Renée.
Looking To Book Online?
Click below to book a first session with Renée at the regular intern rate.
McGee Therapy Clinic
Located in the
Centre for Counselling & Therapy (in the Yarrow Building)
Renée Ahmadi
Perinatal Intern Counsellor
111 – 645 Fort Street
Victoria, BC, V8W 1G2
Office: 250-885-6760
Web: tracimcgee.ca
Email Clinic Office
Service Times
Renée provides counselling in person and by video on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.
Getting to The Office
Directions
Nearest Parkade
- Broughton Square Parkade
- 635 Broughton St.
- 2 minute walk to 645 Fort St.
- Google Maps to parkade
Street Parking Options
- Broughton Street / Gordon Street
- Fort Street
Inside The Yarrow Building
- Enter the Yarrow building from Fort Street near Broad, directly across from the Bay Centre.
- Take the stairs or elevator up one level to the first floor.
- Turn right and follow the hallway to Suite 111.
- You’ll see the door marked “Centre for Counselling & Therapy.”
Enter and please make yourself comfortable in the waiting room. Renée will greet you there when your session is scheduled to begin.
