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ABOUT

Get to Know Me
and My Philosophy

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Blending science, intuition, and connection to nurture healing in mothers and children—body, mind, and spirit.

GET TO KNOW ME

Janelle Daku, MSc.O.T. Reg. SK

Pediatric and Women's Health Occupational Therapist

Hi, I’m Janelle—a mama, occupational therapist, horse lover, nature seeker, and lifelong learner.

I started Family Foundations Therapy after becoming a mother myself and experiencing just how wide the gap in support truly is for women during one of the most life-altering transitions: becoming a mom. After my daughter was born, I found myself struggling with postpartum depression and anxiety—something no amount of professional knowledge had quite prepared me for. I carried guilt, shame, and the weight of trying to hold it all together.

But when I began learning about the real, raw, and normal experiences so many mothers go through, I realized: I wasn’t broken. I wasn’t failing. And I definitely wasn’t alone.

That realization changed everything.

I made it my mission to help mothers feel seen, supported, and safe—so we can stop pretending we’re okay when we’re not, and start building real foundations of healing, connection, and trust. When we put words to the “new mama struggle,” we soften. We open. We begin to heal. And when we heal, we show up with more presence and joy—not just for our children, but for ourselves.

My daughter’s feeding journey is what first led me into the world of oral motor therapy. She struggled to latch, feed, and regulate from the beginning. Even after a tongue tie release, her difficulties continued—and I quickly realized that no one had the answers I needed. So I searched for them myself. I dove into specialized training in oral motor development, infant feeding, and tethered oral tissues, determined to understand the missing pieces and help her thrive. That journey ignited a deep passion in me to support other families going through similar challenges—because no parent should feel alone or unsupported in those early, critical days.

Alongside this work, I’ve never stopped supporting children in school settings. For over a decade, I’ve worked across Saskatoon, Calgary, and San Diego in schools, daycares, and early intervention programs—helping children with everything from motor development and sensory processing to self-regulation, classroom participation, and social-emotional growth. I’ve also led training and mentorship for educators and teams, ensuring kids are supported by the adults around them in meaningful and effective ways.

Today, my practice bridges both early childhood and maternal wellness. I specialize in pediatric occupational therapy with a focus on infant feeding, oral motor development, emotional regulation, and trauma-informed care. I believe early intervention isn’t just about hitting milestones—it’s about helping children feel safe, capable, and connected in their bodies and in the world around them.

When I’m not in the therapy room, you’ll usually find me dancing in the kitchen with my daughter, exploring lakes and trails, connecting with animals (especially horses), or diving into spiritual growth and energy medicine. I believe healing is both a science and an art—and I bring that belief into every session, whether I’m working with babies, parents, or kids who need a little extra support to thrive.

At the heart of it all, I’m here to walk alongside families as they grow, struggle, heal, and rise. This work is my calling—and I’m so grateful you’re here.

“Healing begins when we feel seen.”
“It takes a village—but first, we have to feel safe in it.”

MY APPROACH

Health, Wellbeing, Empowerment

Currently, there are no businesses in Saskatoon and the surrounding area offering specialized occupational therapy services in women’s health. Occupational therapy brings a unique perspective to women’s health by addressing the whole person—physical, social, psychological, environmental, and spiritual.

Occupational therapists actively listen to their clients, validate their feelings, thoughts, and beliefs, and help facilitate positive health outcomes through daily activities. They work collaboratively with clients to help them achieve their goals. The six therapeutic modes that guide their practice—advocating, collaborating, empathizing, encouraging, instructing, and problem-solving—create a distinctive, supportive relationship between the therapist and client.

At Family Foundations Therapy, we offer a variety of support services for mothers and families, including assessments, therapy sessions, and monthly memberships. We also offer a free discovery call to help identify the best support options tailored to you and your family’s needs.

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Occupational Therapists help address barriers impacting the transition to parenthood roles, routines and other aspects that affect the transition. We help parents experience the joy of parenthood by providing tools and strategies during this vulnerable time.

Family Foundations Therapy strives to achieve inclusivity.

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We are committed to providing our customers a compassionate, client centered and collaborative experience.

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We will do this by:

  • Recognizing distress and working towards alleviating it

  • Empowering clients to cultivate self-compassion, self-love and self-acceptance

  • Treating our clients with kindness, while cultivating kindness, recognizing the shared humanity and creating mindfulness to negative aspects of the self

  • Using activity as a therapeutic tool

  • Assessing the client from a holistic perspective (mind-body-spirit) to allow for efficient and effective problem solving with focused solutions

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We working from a place of:

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  • Altruism (unselfish concern for the welfare of others: actions – commitment, dedication, responsiveness, understanding),

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  • Equality (all individuals have fundamental rights- day to day interactions of respect for values, beliefs and lifestyles that vary from our own),

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  • Justice (fairness, equality, truthfulness and objectivity – maintain goal directed and objective relationships)

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  • Freedom (freedom to pursue their own personal and social goals)

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  • Dignity (seeing human beings holistically – mind, body, physical and social aspects that create unique and worthy individuals – through building unique attributes and resources a sense of competence and self-worth is developed)

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  • Truth (faithful to facts and reality – accountable, honest, accurate and authenticity defines our actions and attitudes as a business)

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  • Prudence (govern and discipline ourselves through the use of reason – we value discretion, vigilance, judiciousness, and make judgements on intelligent reflection and rational thought)

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Information gathered from: Core Values and Attitudes of Occupational Therapy Practice (AOTA, 1993).

© Family Foundations Therapy

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