Maternal Mental Health​
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Motherhood is like walking a tightrope. Let us provide some balance.
Are you feeling overwhelmed, tired, resentful, and confused about who you are since becoming a mother? Do you find yourself lashing out or crying easily? Do you compare yourself to other mothers, believing you’re not good enough or doing it all wrong? Does it feel like you are last on the priority list? If you said yes to any of the above, know you are not alone.
You may be struggling with infertility or pregnancy loss, or experiencing anxiety during pregnancy. You may even be wondering if what you are feeling after birth is postpartum depression, which can often include more feelings of anxiety and irritability than sadness. Or maybe you're a mom of older children and experiencing difficulty as you get used to the empty nest. Motherhood is filled with unrealistic expectations. Expectations from partners, family, friends, social media, and most importantly your own. Being a mom can feel like you are constantly walking a tightrope….. in a wind storm without a safety net.
Drawing on over 14 years of clinical experience which includes a specialization in perinatal and postpartum mood difficulties, research in the area of women's mental health, and being a mother myself, I get it.
I have been privileged to assist mothers along their unique journeys of motherhood and offer specialized services to assist moms at various stages. The good news is that symptoms such as low mood, irritability, and anxiety are very treatable so the sooner you reach out for help, the sooner you can feel better!
PREGNANCY/PERINATAL
Becoming a mother is one of the most complex and profoundly life changing events in a woman’s life. Birth is a rite of passage and like any rite of passage, you can expect to encounter uncertainty, fear, loss of control, and radical change. I would like to assist you to approach this special time with confidence, enjoy your pregnancy and take the fear out of birth.
Common Therapy Goals:
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To manage my anxiety and fear
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To better understand what my identity is, with or without baby
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To process grief and loss
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To prepare for a family transition
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To build my support system
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To manage my mood
POSTPARTUM
Did you know that perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADS) are the most common complication of childbirth? These are a group of symptoms causing emotional and physical problems that make it hard to enjoy life and function well.
Common Therapy Goals:
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To process birth trauma
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To take better care of my body and mind
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To reduce my anxiety and intrusive thoughts
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To discuss with my partner about our new roles
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To cope with fatigue and mood swings
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*Please follow this link to the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale a set of 10 screening questions that can indicate whether a parent has symptoms that are common in PMADS
ROLE BURN OUT: MOM FATIGUE
Even supermoms need to take care of themselves. It is not selfish to take care of yourself and taking care of yourself on a deeper level allows you to be more present to those you love in a more authentic and conscious way.
Common Therapy Goals:
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To reduce resentment and assist with asking for what you need
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Foster self compassion and self care practices
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To cope with the unexpected and let go of perfectionism
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To reduce mom guilt
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to manage moods