About Gentle Start Psychology

Helping you ease into this new season of life, so you don’t have to navigate it alone

Hi, I’m Dr. Marley Young

Smiling woman with long hair in a nature setting

I’m a registered psychologist based in Calgary, Alberta. I offer individual therapy both in-person in Calgary and virtually across Alberta and Ontario. 

My interest in mental health started early—I began volunteering at Distress Centre Calgary as a teenager, and even then, I knew that supporting others was where I was meant to be. Since then, I’ve worked in a range of community and hospital settings, and I’m incredibly grateful for all the people and experiences that shaped my approach along the way.

It wasn’t until I became a parent myself that I found my true passion in perinatal and maternal mental health. After having two kids, I experienced firsthand just how much change, identity shift, relationship strain, and emotional overwhelm can come with the transition to parenthood. I also saw how often these struggles go unspoken and unsupported—and I knew I wanted to be part of changing that.

Now, I focus my work on helping new and expecting parents feel balanced, understood, and supported during this major life shift. My goal is to create a space where you can be honest about what you're going through, feel less alone in it, and start to reconnect with yourself as you move through the challenges and joys of parenthood.

I take a client-centered approach to therapy, grounded in the belief that a collaborative, supportive, and non-judgmental relationship is an essential component of meaningful therapy. Building a strong therapeutic connection is one of the most important parts of the work we do together. To ensure that we're a good fit, I offer (and strongly encourage) a free 15-minute consultation call. This gives you a chance to ask questions, get a sense of my approach, and decide whether working together feels right for you.

Soft focus image of white wildflowers in a sunlit field.

Training and Education

I have extensive training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and have completed training specific to working with perinatal/maternal mental health. I also draw on a number of other therapies including emotion focused therapy, and my early parenting work is heavily informed by attachment theory. 

I am a Ph.D.-level psychologist and completed my undergraduate degree (honours, 2009), Masters of Science (2012), and Ph.D. (2016) at the University of Calgary.

I am registered with the College of Alberta Psychologists (#4660) and the College of Psychologists and Behavioural Analysts of Ontario (#7698). I am also a member of the Psychologists Association of Alberta.

Get Started Today