As we celebrate International Women’s Month and International Women’s Day on March 8, I’ve been reflecting on the women who mentored me, the mentors I’ve had the privilege to become, and the incredible ripple effect that happens when women support and uplift one another.
Mentorship didn’t just influence my career—it changed the trajectory of my life.
Where It Began
My journey into mentorship began long before I ever realized it.
I was raised by a single mother, who pursued university education with two young kids, after leaving my father, who struggled with addiction. My younger brother faced profound mental health challenges during his teen years and to this day there is so much grief around his disability. By many definitions, I would have been considered a young person “at risk.”
But my story didn’t end there.
I was surrounded by powerful female influences—starting with my mom—and supported by other strong women who showed me what resilience, compassion, and leadership looked like. Youth camp also played a huge role in shaping who I became. In those spaces, I grew a deep love for the outdoors and experienced mentorship firsthand.
Those experiences helped me transform my pain into purpose.
Experiences That Led to Leadership
By the time I was a camp counsellor, I already knew I wanted to work with young people in a supportive role. That passion was clear to me long before I graduated high school.
Early in my career, I worked with sexually exploited youth. It was intense, challenging work—but it also showed me the transformative power of relationship. Time and time again, I watched young people begin to see themselves differently when someone simply reflected their worth back to them.
I witnessed young people fall in love with themselves and see appreciate their innate value.
I watched many of them break away from cycles of abuse and choose a different path—one with hope, possibility, and a better outcome.
Those moments changed me just as much as they changed them.
Creating Spaces for Healing
One of my most meaningful professional roles continues to be my monthly facilitation at The Alex Youth Health Centre through a program I created 15 years ago called Parenting Plus.
Parenting Plus is an inclusive community drop-in group for marginalized, young parents—a space where people can access medical care, social support, and emotional connection without judgment.
What inspires me most is witnessing parents, working hard to break patterns of childhood neglect and abuse, that have existed for generations.
When people are given a safe place to explore their stories, their pain, and their hopes, something powerful happens. They begin to rewrite their narratives. They begin to heal.
Every time I leave that group, I feel an incredible sense of hope—for families, for communities, and for the future. And the babies are soooo cute!
Mentorship in My Own Career
Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of building a talented team of Psychologists at Belix Psychology and work alongside such loyal and compassionate therapists, who truly feel like family.
One of the greatest joys of my career has been mentoring young therapists—helping them recognize their unique gifts and encouraging them to bring their full, creative selves into the therapy room.
Watching them grow into confident, compassionate professionals is deeply rewarding. Every day I witness meaningful change—not only in therapy sessions, but also in the heartfelt connections happening in our waiting room between families, staff, and community.
These small moments remind me why this work matters.
A Life I’m Grateful For
As a woman of colour, a female business owner, and a mother to three incredible young women, I often pause and reflect on how fortunate I am.
Mentorship shaped my life.
It helped turn adversity into strength, and it gave me a pathway to help others do the same.
If there is one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: when women support, mentor, and uplift one another, the ripple effects can change generations.
And I feel incredibly blessed to be part of that ripple.
Every strong woman has a story—but very often, there are other women behind that story who helped shape it.
Call-to-Action for International Women’s Day
This International Women’s Day, I encourage you to pause and reflect:
Who were the women who believed in you before you fully believed in yourself?
Reach out to them. Thank them. Celebrate them.
And just as importantly—look around and ask yourself:
Who could benefit from your encouragement, guidance, or mentorship today?
Because when women support women, something extraordinary happens. Confidence grows. Possibilities expand. And the ripple effect reaches far beyond what we can see.
Let’s continue lifting each other up—not just today, but every day.
xx Tasha
Clinical Director, Author, Speaker & Psychologist
