Newsletter - May 15, 2025

Honoured to Share These Moments with You

I'm incredibly honoured to be part of the upcoming launch of Broken Promises, a powerful and much-needed book written by Christen Shepherd and Lisa Highfield—two extraordinary women with both professional expertise and deep lived experience. Their work sheds light on the very real and urgent needs of families navigating life with children and youth impacted by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and other complex neurodevelopmental conditions/challenges, especially where aggression is present in the home. This happens far more than we realize!!

Every day in my practice, I meet kind, compassionate, creative individuals who are doing their best—people across the lifespan who have values and character that are admirable - yet they are also struggling deeply with symptoms like impulsivity, sensory overwhelm, rigid thinking, and outbursts that are misunderstood and often beyond their control. This book and this launch are part of a bigger conversation we need to have—one that demands more honest dialogue about prevention, support, and safety for all family members.

Prevention isn’t just about reducing prenatal alcohol and substance exposure—it’s also about addressing the root causes: trauma, misinformation, and gaps in education and support. It's time for policy and political leaders to prioritize this work and invest in places where we can make a real difference. And it starts with listening—to families, to those with lived experience, and to the experts calling for urgent change.  When we know better... we can do better. 

In the spirit of soft places to land, I also want to share a gentle, inclusive yoga offering happening right here in our office, led by the lovely and gifted Helen Valks. This is not about being flexible or experienced—it's about creating space for healing, calm, and connection. Everyone is welcome.

Please check out the poster for details—and if you can, join us at the Broken Promises book launch. These are the conversations that matter.

Warmly,
Angela, and our team.