Life has a way of throwing unexpected twists, and I’ve definitely been through some big ones. I married my high school sweetheart after eight wonderful years together, navigating the challenges of long-distance and everything in between. We eventually settled down, got married, and were blessed with a beautiful baby girl.

But six weeks after my daughter was born, my world was shattered. My husband, who had been working interstate, came home only to tell me that he had formed an attachment with someone else.

A week later, he was gone. I was left confused, heartbroken, and completely exhausted as a new mother. I couldn’t wrap my head around how everything had changed so quickly from the joy of holding my newborn to the devastation of losing my marriage in just a matter of days.

During that incredibly difficult time, I sought the support of a counsellor. She helped me process my emotions, navigate the heartbreak, and begin to find my footing again. I realized how crucial it was to have someone neutral, who could offer perspective and guidance when everything felt out of control.

Through my own healing journey, I discovered something even more profound, most of us don’t have the relationship skills we need to succeed. We’re expected to just figure it out, but we’ve never been taught how. And when our relationships falter, the impact on our mental health, our families, and our lives is huge.

I was determined to do something about it. I wanted to be the kind of support for others that my counsellor had been for me. That’s when I decided to become a counsellor myself, with a focus on helping couples reconnect and rebuild their relationships.