Pregnancy and Postpartum

I am committed to helping women & their partners that have struggled with prenatal/ postpartum anxiety, depression, and traumatic birth.

The pregnancy and the postpartum period significantly affect one's mental health and identity, and frankly, I don't think we support mothers enough. Becoming a mom enhanced my desire to support individuals on this journey in multiple ways - I offer pregnancy coaching, birth story processing, and specific EMDR support for individuals who have had difficult and/or traumatic birthing experiences.

Pregnancy and welcoming home a new baby can be an exciting time. It is also a stressful time for most, with 10-15% of pre and postpartum women struggling with anxiety, depression, OCD, or PTSD. Symptoms of a prenatal or postpartum mood or anxiety disorder range from person to person and can begin at any time during pregnancy or up to 1 year after giving birth. Anger, irritability, loss of interest in the baby, and crying or sadness are common symptoms of a prenatal or postpartum disorder.

If you're pregnant, or recently gave birth, struggle can show up in lots of ways: depression, anxiety, obsessive thoughts and actions, PTSD, and in rare cases psychosis. You do not have to suffer alone and there is nothing "wrong" with being unable to bask in the glow of pregnancy and parenthood the way you're "supposed to." These issues are treatable with compassion, acceptance, and research-backed therapy. Let's normalize your scary thoughts and figure out your plan for recovery together.

This is a period that is filled with uncertainty, fear, regret, shame and guilt. The most important thing to remember is that the feelings that you are having, someone else is having them too and it is OKAY! You can experience a peace of mind in this period, and my goal is to show you how. My approach is to help clients heal through these processes with cutting edge techniques and processing emotions associated with pregnancy and postpartum within a safe space.

Are you experiencing difficulties adjusting to pregnancy, coping with anxiety or depression during pregnancy, or struggling with the challenges of postpartum adjustment? You're not alone. I'm here to offer a safe and supportive space where you can explore your emotions, process your experiences, and develop effective coping strategies. As a therapist specializing in pregnancy and postpartum challenges, I'm here to provide compassionate support and guidance to individuals and families.

I spent the first part of my career working exclusively with children, which included a large amount of caregiver support, and led me to seek more specialization to support new parents (partners included) during such a vulnerable life chapter. I am certified in Perinatal Mental Health by Postpartum Support International, and have collaborative relationships with various members of the local birthing community (doulas, midwives, lactation consultants).

I work with mothers and their families who are experiencing adjustment difficulties, may have a perinatal mood disorder, want to prevent postpartum depression and anxiety, struggle with infertility or grief and loss, feel disconnected from their infant, or are overwhelmed with parenting a toddler.

We treat Perinatal/Postpartum/Maternal OCD, providing moms-to-be and new moms who are suffering with OCD symptoms effective treatment. We offer treatment for both maternal themes, such as an intense fear of harming or contaminating your infant, as well as any other subtype of OCD during pregnancy and postpartum. Should any OCD symptoms persist after the perinatal period, we continue to provide care to our clients throughout the entirety of their OCD treatment journey.

I have attended trainings on maternal mental health and plan to continue my training in this area. Pregnancy and postpartum are such unique times where parents often realize who their true supports really are. This can sometimes be a disappointing experience where we feel let down by our medical teams, families, friends, and even our partners. Having been through it twice myself, I'm here to help you navigate this unique, exciting, and challenging time.

I have been running a peripartum support group for approximately three years and it is by far what I look forward to in my working life. I love working with women in transition and supporting them during this new stage in life.

Following my own journey to parenthood, my passion is helping women and men with the hardships that can arise when building a family. I have more than 15 years of experience, specializing in helping clients coping with infertility, pregnancy loss, and postpartum issues. I completed the 10-month Fertility Counseling Postgraduate Course with Sharon Covington, MSW and Dr. Linda Applegarth, EdD and am certified in perinatal mental health (PMH-C) by Postpartum Support International.

Pregnancy and the postpartum period are two of the most significant changes in a woman's life. I have training in helping moms adjust to their new roles, as well as addressing any postpartum anxiety or depression that may be present.

My interest in the field of perinatal mental health began in 2021 after my son was born. I began training in perinatal mood disorders in 2022 through Postpartum Support International. I became certified in 2023. I have worked with clients through preconception, pregnancy, postpartum and beyond.

My experience includes working at a hospital visiting the Mother/Baby unit, following up with new parents who confided in their doctors about struggles, or who were referred directly to us. I also had the pleasure of working as a counselor on the NorthShore MOMS Line for a couple of years, helping mamas and families with new babies who called directly to the hotline 24/7 from all of the country. I was one of the first people to obtain the PMH-C (Perinatal Mental Health Certification) through PSI

Through specialized trainings in perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, including OCD, I hope to support you through every stage of parenthood from family planning to toddlerhood.

I have extensive experience supporting parents, expecting parents, and grieving parents during this unique period of life. I have advanced training in the treatment of Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders through Postpartum Support International and completed subspecialty training in Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health at University of Denver. I wrote my dissertation on the body image concerns that often arise during the perinatal period. I have trained in OB/GYN, NICU, and community clinics.