Lara Stewart-Panko

I'm a birth & family professional with over 2 decades of experience helping people connect with greater peace, empowerment and wellbeing. I hold degrees in Social Work & Sociology, I'm a certified hypnotist and parenting coach, and I’m a full-spectrum birth & postpartum doula. My extensive continuing education encompasses many fields, including early childhood development and learning, interpersonal communication and relationship dynamics, sexuality, trauma, bereavement and specialized applications of hypnosis. I’ve worked in child welfare and been an educator for children of all ages. In my role as a counsellor I’ve supported individuals, couples and families through a wide variety of experiences. I’ve cared for many, many women who’ve been touched by mental illness, and I am no stranger to mental illness myself. I’ve had the joy of facilitating lots of mom & baby groups, and I’ve taught hundreds of workshops about personal and family wellness with a focus on childbirth education. I attended my first birth as a doula in 1992 and I continue to serve in this role.