Service
Perinatal and NICU Parent Mental Health
What is Perinatal Mental Health?
From the time of pregnancy, or trying to become pregnant, to three years postpartum, birthing people can be impacted by prenatal depression, postpartum depression or anxiety, PTSD, and other mood disorders. This is a unique time period in a person’s life where they can feel like they are not themselves while trying to adjust to having a new baby in their life. About 1 in 5 women will experience mental health issues during or after pregnancy and about 70% of them will minimize the severity of how they’re feeling.
Why Perinatal Mental Health Counseling is Important
Suicide is the leading cause of death for birthing parents one year after giving birth. Circumstances such as lack of family and community support, financial stressors, hormonal shifts, and marital stressors can contribute to a perinatal mental health issue but it also can occur without these added stressors. Perinatal mental health issues can impact the health of the birth parent, baby, and family so it is important to seek help immediately. Therapy can help individuals cope with the emotional challenges, develop coping strategies, find community, and maintain their overall well-being during an overwhelming time.
Why Perinatal Mental Health Counseling is Important
Parenting is not meant to be traveled alone and requires support, however our society does not make this easy. I believe in building community and find support to help nurture your needs as well as the entire family. This often looks like connecting with lactation consultations, physicians, postpartum doulas, and friends and family and learning to ask for help. I try to help cultivate practical skills while also considering emotional, cultural, relational, and possible traumatic dynamics within the perinatal period.
I utilize Brainspotting and Comprehensive Resource Model to process difficult emotions and trauma related to your perinatal experience. I have taken extensive training, including advanced NICU parenting training, with The Touchstone Institute. I am currently working towards perinatal mental health certification with Postpartum Support International and am an active member.
“Promise me you’ll always remember: You’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think”
— Christopher Robin from Winnie the Pooh
Available mental health resources
National Maternal Mental Health Line: 1-833-TLC-MAMA (852-6262)
Burnout by Emily Nagoski, PhD and Amelia Nagoski, DMA
Dignity by Donna Hicks, PhD
Real Self-Care by Pooja Lakshmin, MD
Fair Play by Eve Rodsky
Similar Services
Trauma Counseling:
Engaging in trauma therapy can help you better understand and cope with your emotions, feel like you have more agency in your life, reduce stress levels, improve interpersonal relationships, and develop a positive sense of self.
Stress Management:
Stress management skills are designed to help a person take control of their lifestyle, thoughts, and emotions and teach them healthy ways to cope with their problems.
Depression and Anxiety:
Recovering from depression and anxiety involves acknowledging personal struggles, seeking support, and gradually rediscovering inner strength and resilience for a brighter future through multiple therapeutic approaches such as DBT and CBT.
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