When Barrie social worker and psychotherapist Amber Sperling learned she had been nominated for the Barrie Chamber of Commerce Women in Business Award for Community Impact, her reaction was one of surprise.
“I was definitely shocked because I know there's some, well, many incredible women in the community doing incredible things,” she said. “I’m just motivated by my work… I don't really think about awards per se, more about the impact itself.”
Sperling, the founder of Amber Sperling’s Social Work and Psychotherapy Services, is preparing to reintroduce her practice under a new name: Marsha Care. The rebrand honours her late mother, Marsha, whose legacy of advocacy and motherhood shaped both Sperling’s life and her professional mission. The new identity represents motherhood, access, resources, support, health, advocacy, and legacy.
From public healthcare to entrepreneurship
Sperling’s journey to private practice has been shaped by motherhood, the realities of mental health work, and the challenges faced by new parents.
She spent years in publicly funded clinical roles before opening her business nearly four years ago. The turning point came after becoming a mother herself.
She recalls thinking, "I have three degrees and years of experience in mental health, and I have no idea what's going on," noting how her own postpartum experience exposed gaps in support for new parents.
When the pandemic hit, Sperling had her second child and found herself working from home, questioning the sustainability of returning to traditional clinical work. It pushed her toward building something of her own—something that allowed her to support families in a deeper, more flexible way.
A growing team making macro and micro change
While many assume private practice means increased control, Sperling is quick to point out the balance.
“Does anybody [have full control]? I mean, let's be honest,” she said with a laugh. Still, she embraces the flexibility. “I can drop the girls off to school… I can attend events for them… I can focus my energy on what I want to.”
That focus includes both client‑level care and community‑level work. With a background in social work, Sperling describes the importance of both “micro” and “macro” impact.
Her expanded role includes serving on the RVH Foundation Board of Directors and co‑chairing the Women and Children’s Health Network’s Perinatal Mental Health Task Force.
Her practice has grown to a team of four associates, three interns, and administrative support, all aligned with her strategic vision. They recently added a third office in Barrie and expanded into Orillia, partnering with a perinatal massage clinic.
Listen below to our full interview with Amber Sperling. It begins at the 44:44 mark.
Meeting the region’s significant mental health needs
The expansion is driven by necessity. Sperling’s team sees high rates of postpartum depression and anxiety across Simcoe and Muskoka—numbers significantly higher than provincial averages.
“In the Orillia-area alone, it's almost double,” she explained. While the reasons remain unclear, she notes that resource availability and gaps in primary care play a role.
Despite the region’s growing need, her practice has made accessibility a priority.
“I like to say that we will get anybody in within three days, if we can,” she said.
The demand they see most often is postpartum anxiety, typically tied to major life transitions, hormonal shifts, and the resurfacing of past trauma - especially among parents who want to break cycles from their own childhoods.
A mission rooted in support and community
Today, Sperling balances running a business, raising her family, and staying actively involved in systemic change—all while shaping a practice built on compassion, accessibility, and advocacy.
For anyone reaching out for the first time, the door is open.
“Absolutely,” Sperling said. “Best way would be to email info@ambersperling.ca or go to our website, ambersperling.ca.”
Her message for new parents navigating the challenges she once faced herself is simple: support exists, you deserve it, and it can make all the difference.
