I offer both practical and therapeutic support to expectant and postpartum mothers, couples, and families. This may include additional caregivers or family members, such as other children, grandparents, or whomever is directly involved in the life of the individual seeking support. Since pregnancy and postpartum are finite periods in a women's life, it can be helpful to know that such support is focused specifically on this transformative milestone and isn't necessarily long-term therapy.
One in five mothers experience a perinatal mood disorder, and dads can experience them too. It is so much more common than most of us know. Too often new parents’ concerns about sleep, pressures of parenting, slow recovery from birth, anxiety, adjustment to parenthood, among many other new and complex feelings, are brushed off as normal or temporary. Chances are if you’re reading this, you have one or more of these concerns. Please reach out and we can create a plan that will meet you and your family’s needs.
Therapeutic & Support Services:
Pregnancy and Baby Prep:
Pregnancy can bring about a wave of new and complex emotions, fears, nervousness, and anticipation. Much of this often relates to unaddressed issues with your own mother/parents, a difficult childhood, or other traumatic life events. Identifying and developing strategies to address these issues before baby is born can make for a gentler transition. Relationship struggles related to concerns and fears surrounding parenthood can perk up during pregnancy as well, which may benefit from attention prior to baby entering the picture. A primary goal is to empower the birthing person and fortify their knowledge, self-awareness, and sense of agency in every area of reproduction, as well as in their labor and delivery and postpartum journey.
Postpartum Support:
Perinatal mental health is often overlooked, particularly in the current-day, insular, and fast-paced culture in which we live. As well, her spouse, other children, and extended family can either enhance or further impact how competent and supported she feels in her role as mother. If there are added difficulties getting pregnant, birth complications, miscarriages, or other life traumas the journey can become even more complex and challenging.
Negotiating ones life, work, family and mental health while sleep deprived with an infant is difficult. Whether you experienced a traumatic birth experience, aren’t the blissfully happy parent you expected to be after struggling to get pregnant, are struggling to bond with your baby, have a colicky baby, or simply need support to get you through the rollercoaster of emotions babies can introduce to a family, we can work through all of these issues together.
I offer support to parents, so that they can best care for their newborn and enhance attachment. I teach and encourage parents how to interpret their baby’s cues, and to trust their instincts in responding to their baby’s needs. I also may utilize mindfulness-based strategies to empower parents to develop deeper self-awareness and self-compassion tools.
*Preconception and prenatal risk assessment and counseling for individuals with a history of mood, anxiety, and other disorders.
*Counseling for issues related to reproduction.
*Basic breastfeeding assistance and referral for lactation support if needed.
*Assessment and counseling for discomfort and emotional struggles with breastfeeding.
*Screening for prenatal and postpartum mood and anxiety disorders.
*Counseling for pregnancy and postpartum anxiety, depression, and birth trauma.
*Basic newborn adjustment support, such as sleep, nutrition, spousal relationship issues, sibling issues, extended family/additional caregiver issues, and other challenges that arise from bringing a baby into the picture.
Some other topics that may be discussed include (but are not limited to):
Choosing a caregiver and birthing place
Developing your a birth plan. For example:
Do you want an epidural?
What is a doula, and where do you find one?
What is routine and what are your choices?
What classes you’d like to take prior to your birth?
Finding a photographer
Finding a pregnancy/postpartum fitness class
Sibling Adjustment
What to purchase and/or where to register
Deciding if you want your baby circumcised
How you plan to feed your baby
Childcare options
Finding a sleep consultant