Support & Wellness

Laura Reisman, MSW, is excited to be joining the Twig team as a Registered Social Worker, focusing on fertility and the mental well being of individuals and families. Laura targets her work on the mental health strain the fertility process can have on individuals, and how to equip each person with coping mechanisms to address this period of their life.

Each persons fertility journey differs, but to many it can be a very isolating and often frustrating path; It can significantly impact ones sense of self, friendships, career goals, family relationships, and a couples emotional and intimate connections. Allowing oneself the time and space to process these feelings is important.

Along with a Masters in Social Work, Laura formally trained in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT II), and has studied Mindfulness, Talk Therapy, and Solution Focused Therapy. Laura has received accreditation by Postpartum Support International, the Canadian Perinatal Mental Health Training, and is a registered member of the National Association of Perinatal Social Workers.

On a personal level, Laura’s own experience navigating the challenges caused by infertility led her to further her education and expand her private practice to more capably support clients encountering the complex, emotional, and disorienting world of fertility and parenthood.

It is important to Laura that each client feels individualized and their therapy is catered to their own needs. Laura is committed to making your time in therapy a stimulating and supportive environment.

Sarah Goodman, MSW, RSW is a mother, a registered social worker, and a passionate supporter of mothers at all stages of their parenting journey. Sarah intimately understands that becoming a mother is hard. From trying to conceive, to loss, to pregnancy and motherhood, there are many stressors that can make you feel alone and overwhelmed. As someone who became a mom during the COVID-19 pandemic and experienced loss prior, Sarah quickly understood the importance of support throughout the journey to motherhood. Sarah is passionate about providing quality support to women in their most vulnerable moments. At a time when so much is asked of you, Sarah’s goal is to help mothers feel validated, supported, and cared for.

Throughout her career Sarah has supported parents, children, and families with mental health and parenting concerns. Clients are able to share their experiences in an open, casual, and non-judgmental space, and Sarah tailors treatment goals and interventions to her clients’ individual needs. Sarah has met individually with parents to process and validate their emotions and develop plans to cope with their children’s and their own mental health challenges. Sarah has also facilitated an evidence-based parenting group to support parents in understanding and managing their children’s mental health concerns. Sarah uses an eclectic approach influenced by cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), mindfulness, narrative therapy, motivational interviewing, emotion-focused family therapy (EFFT), and attachment- and trauma-informed lenses. Sarah is also a peer support volunteer at Sunnybrook Hospital’s Pregnancy and Infant Loss (PAIL) network.

Sarah earned her Master of Social Work from Wurzweiler School of Social Work at Yeshiva University in 2015. She is a member of the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) and the Ontario Association of Social Workers (OASW). Sarah has also completed advanced training through Postpartum Support International.

Danica is a certified meditation teacher and the founder of Mind Well. She completed her formal meditation training in New York City with MNDFL, has trained with Google’s SIYLI Program, and has completed additional training in mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) and mindfulness-based eating awareness.

She helps busy people to learn how to slow down, reduce stress, and boost resilience using science-backed mindfulness tools, positive psychology, and neuroscience.

Amira Posner is a Clinical Social Worker with a private practice in Toronto, Ontario. Amira has both a Bachelor and Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Manitoba. She works with individuals and couples who are struggling with infertility. Amira developed and facilitates the Mind-Body Fertility Group.

In addition to working with individuals, couples and families providing therapy in a secure and safe setting, Amira is a member of the Ontario Association of Social Workers (OASW) and Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW). Amira is a certified Hypnotherapist and Reiki practitioner. Amira is also the mother of three miracles. She supports couples worldwide.

Teresa Maiorano, a leader in Fertility Nutrition is a Registered Dietitian specializing in personalized nutrition and lifestyle care, targeted to help increase your odds of fertility success.

Evidence-based research tells us that “nutrition and lifestyle factors can influence fertility outcomes by more than 80%!” Using this approach,I am here to provide actionable guidance and support to you and your partner to help reach your goals.

My passion of food, nutrition and science leads my practice, as I have 2 University degrees, both with different specializations in the field of Food and Nutrition.

So, if you and your partner have struggled and are feeling frustrated and helpless, let’s talk. I am here to investigate and identify aspects of care that may significantly help you.

Dr. Aisling Lanigan is a Naturopathic Doctor, leading women’s health expert, speaker and Founder of Flourish. Dr. Aisling maintains a private practice at Flourish, a multidisciplinary health clinic focused in fertility and perinatal care in Midtown Toronto. At her core, Dr. Aisling is passionate about Preconception Health. This means optimizing the sperm, egg and pregnancy environment through nutrition, lifestyle, targeted supplementation and acupuncture. The goal of Dr. Aisling’s approach is to Flourish Your Preconception Health to improve your chances of pregnancy.

Dr. Aisling is available to see new patients as well as to provide community presentations and seminars. She has been a guest expert on a variety of media such as Cityline, Metro Morning and is a regular podcast guest. She encourages booking a 15-minute Complimentary Discovery Call to start on your journey to Flourish Your Fertility.

Dr. Moira Kwok is a Naturopathic Doctor with over 14 years of experience. Over her many years of practice she has developed expertise in numerous areas of naturopathic medicine and a special interest working with the following populations and health concerns:

• Women’s Health
• Fertility
• Hormone Balance
• Pregnancy
• Post-Natal / Fourth Trimester

The majority of her 14 years of practice has been based in the downtown core, working with a large population of successful professionals needing support for their busy and often stressful lives.

Her approach is to use evidence-based Naturopathic Medicine for both testing and treatment. She relies on a variety of:

• Diet Analysis & Recommendations
• Customized Meal Plans
• Lifestyle Recommendations
• Supplement Analysis and Professional Grade Supplements
• Recommendations
• Acupuncture
• IV Vitamin Therapy

Moira’s aim is to work together with you – as a TEAM, in order to help you achieve your health goals!

“I’m Dr. Moira Kwok, a Naturopathic Doctor, community builder, organisational enthusiast and lover of all things furry.

Meeting our son A took 5 long years and sky-rocketed my mission to ensure that no woman ever feels as unsupported and isolated as I did during their fertility journey.

Over the last 15 years, I’ve helped women optimise their fertility by:

• Helping them understand their menstrual cycles;
• Optimising their health and hormones to maximise their fertility; and
• Supporting them through pregnancy and into mamahood

When I’m not working with my patients, I can be found closet crafting, chasing down trucks with my toddler and secretly trying to turn him into a Toronto Raptors superfan!

If you’re ready to feel supported on your fertility journey, I invite you to schedule a FREE meet & greet appointment to see if my approach is right for you.”

Dr. Laura von Hagen, MSc, ND has a strong clinical focus in PCOS, prenatal care, and
fertility. As a Naturopathic Doctor, she has a passion for providing excellent, evidence-
based integrated care. Dr. von Hagen, ND fundamentally believes in empowering her
patients on their fertility journey and helping them achieve their ultimate goal, healthy
pregnancy and baby. She shares her own personal IVF journey and expertise in her new book, My PCOS Pregnancy: Your Guide to Getting and Staying Pregnancy with PCOS.

Before becoming an ND, she completed an undergraduate degree in Kinesiology at Queen’s University and a Master’s in Clinical Anatomy at Western University.
Outside of the clinic, she loves to spend to spend time outdoors and in her kitchen. Dr. von Hagen, ND is also a board member for Conceivable Dreams.

Brianna graduated with a Masters of Science in Physiotherapy from McMaster University. Before completing her graduate degree, she received a Bachelor of Kinesiology at Acadia University.

Since graduation, Brianna has obtained 3 levels of certification in Pelvic Health physiotherapy. She has also completed additional academic studies in Women’s Health under Dr. Sinead Dufour, focusing on perinatal care, pelvic health, and pain science. Her knowledge and expertise allow her to treat an array of pelvic health conditions with the goal of improving health outcomes and quality of life for her clients.

Her passion for fitness and health comes from her past involvement in competitive sports. Her success as an athlete in gymnastics and track and field have provided her an informed perspective on movement and mindfulness, which are integral aspects of her current practice. Brianna also has experience in orthopedic physiotherapy, APTEI acupuncture and dry needling, and has completed athletic therapy internships with Acadia’s varsity football team.

Brianna believes in providing the utmost quality of care and is committed to treating anyone who has a pelvis. She believes in a client-centered approach and making the rehabilitation journey an empowering experience.

An out, proud lesbian, Sam (she/her) has had the honour of working with individuals, couples and families through their transition to parenthood since 1998. To say that it was a calling to want to help others have the most positive experience possible is an understatement.

A Women’s Studies student through university and a standardized patient at UWO, Sam started her career path following the birth of her eldest child; first as a doula and then by becoming a childbirth educator through Humber College and a lactation specialist through La Leche League.

The world has grown and evolved over the decades and yet the need for a respectful environment to work with the 2SLGBTQIA+ community as they plan to start or grow their families is as needed now as it ever was. That need is why Sam now focuses her work helping her community members learn about:

• how to become pregnant
• where to find surrogacy resources
• what kinds of legal questions hopeful & new parents need to ask that are different than their heterosexual peers
• what kinds of things people can anticipate and look forward to through the transition to parenthood
• what feeding a baby (or two or three . . . ) might look like
• where to find local resources for families that look like their own
• . . . and so much more

Mom to two grown men and stepmom to a teenage girl, when Sam is not working with her clients, she can be found hanging out with her wife, reading books and savouring time with friends & family.

Anne is a passionate advocate for reproductive health and normalizing the conversation around fertility, labour, loss and menstruation. A Registered Acupuncturist, TCMP and one of the only Fellows of the American Board for Oriental Medicine (ABORM) in Ontario, Anne practices Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine in her greenhouse-like clinic in the Summerhill neighbourhood of Toronto.

Overcoming her own infertility diagnosis after being diagnosed with an 8cm dermoid cyst (and subsequent surgery to remove her left ovary and fallopian tube), Anne has conceived 10 times, grieved 5 losses and birthed 5 lovely little humans. 

Anne believes that every fertility journey is unique and deserves to be honoured and spoken about without shame and stigma.