Welcome to New Origins Counselling

Janna Stark Glassman MA, RSW

Karin Schwartz MSW, RSW

“The labyrinth invites all experiences into its center be it grief, loss, loneliness, wonder… Walking the labyrinth is the way to listen to our inner self: as we walk this space we are reminded of the twists and turns of our life.”

– S. Scott

Counselling for Intended Parents

We support clients with the myriad of emotions that accompany infertility as well as those accessing assisted fertility options for reasons other than infertility including issues and resources specific to single men and women, and LGBTQIA+.

Required Written Reports for Intended Parents and Donors

Counselling and report writing for intended parents and donors/surrogates.

Grief & Loss Counselling

Counselling for individuals, couples, and families struggling with pregnancy loss, still birth, and postpartum depression/anxiety. We also support those clients struggling with relationship challenges and those choosing to move beyond fertility treatment.

Testimonials

Janna and Karin have been seeing my patients for many years. They are among the most experienced and knowledgeable counsellors in the field of infertility and assisted reproduction in BC.

I refer my patients to them because I know they will be able to openly explore their expectations, hopes, and fears about their fertility and be supported and educated. They leave their sessions empowered to handle the challenges ahead. My patients consistently report what a positive experience their time with Karin and Janna has been.

Beth Taylor, MD, FRCSC

Co-Director of Genesis Fertility Centre and Clinical Associate Professor at U.B.C.

Janna and Karin have been the Program Counsellors in the UBC Centre for Reproductive Health for eight years, and have provided a remarkable level of comfort and support to the individuals and couples who have sought treatment with us.

Each of them has developed significant expertise in recognizing and dealing with the multiple issues that arise from use of assisted reproductive technology.

They have conducted group and individual sessions that invariably have left the participants feeling that their needs were understood and that they could deal successfully with the circumstances in which they found themselves.

Janna and Karin are both extremely warm and personable, and I can recommend their professional services without reservation.

Timothy Rowe MB BS, FRCSC, FRCOG Head,

Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility UBC

We worked with Karin Schwartz a number of times on and off over several years as we navigated the emotional mire of infertility, unsuccessful IVF and eventually the complicated process of surrogacy. Though our story ended with a beautiful baby boy, Karin also helped us throughout our journey to imagine and accept a meaningful life without children, if that was to be our future.

Karin was incredibly warm and supportive and her counselling sessions made a huge difference in our lives at a very difficult time. Her thoughtful and caring approach drew us into discussions that we were avoiding at home but needed to have. She is also very knowledgeable about the medical aspects of infertility and was always ready with practical suggestions that motivated us to advocate for ourselves in the often overwhelming medical system.

C & P

Vancouver Couple

About three years into my now six year long journey with infertility, I found myself in a new town and a new fertility clinic. Lost, scared of the treatment that I was about to embark upon, exhausted from repeated failures, and very, very lonely; I knew I needed to find support.

So, as I knocked on the door of the UBC ‘Coffee/Drop In Session’ on that fateful rainy November day, I was unprepared for the incredible person was about to meet. I not only found life lasting friendship that day, but also found an incredible person and counsellor that have taught me more about life that she will ever know.

Janna Stark Glassman has an empathy and compassion that I had never known. Did I ever receive that desperately desired understanding nod! Janna has some unique ways that I have grown to adore. She exudes a warmth and kindness that heals just by being in her presence. Janna has very empathetic facial and body expressions. Even today three years later and four months pregnant, I can conjure up the memory of her silent, yet profound way of saying she felt my pain with me.

My time with Janna is a cherished and precious part of my infertility story. I have learned about mental health, fertility counselling, interpersonal skills, and diplomacy. But most importantly, I have learned skills for dealing with life. Infertility is one of many struggles life can throw at a person. I actually feel blessed to have been given the cross of infertility to bear, because it brought me to Janna. The lessons and tools I have learned through my efforts to ‘conquer’ infertility, with Janna’s guidance, are life changing. It is with Janna Stark that I have healed. Today, I intend to honour her teaching through helping others as she so profoundly did for me.

Lorrayne N

Vancouver, B.C.