Did you know that the most common times of life to experience mental health challenges are during pregnancy and the first year after giving birth? One in five people who give birth and one in ten partners may experience perinatal depression and/or anxiety. Fortunately, perinatal depression and anxiety are very treatable. They are not your fault, you are not alone, and with help you can feel better. 

Perinatal PTSD can be caused by traumatic or upsetting experiences during pregnancy, birth, or postpartum. Some examples include high risk pregnancies, miscarriage or infant loss, medical complications, unplanned C-section, feelings of lack of support or powerlessness during labor and delivery, or a baby needing to spend time in the NICU. Perinatal PTSD is treatable, and we can find your pathways towards peace together. 

Struggling to conceive while others around you are getting pregnant and having babies can bring intense emotions like anger, sadness, resentment, anxiety, guilt, and hopelessness. Experiencing medical interventions such as IUI and IVF can also feel like an emotional rollercoaster and may even result in negative beliefs about yourself. You deserve support and encouragement as you navigate these challenges, and I would be honored to walk with you on this part of your journey.

Becoming a parent involves many significant challenges that may include major changes in routines and responsibilities, sleep deprivation, relationship stress, identity shifts, financial strain, emotional overwhelm, body image concerns, and feelings of isolation among other issues.  We can work on processing what you’re experiencing, developing realistic expectations, fostering self-compassion, and finding ways to provide self-care and receive support from others. 

If you’re experiencing anxiety, you’re not alone-- almost 20% of adults will experience an anxiety disorder this year.  Worrying about worst case scenarios? Feeling unable to let go of anxious thoughts? Having rapid heartrate, sweating, trembling, or nausea?  I can help you learn how anxiety works in your brain and body, and practice tools to help you manage it. I have specialized training in helping clients overcome social anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, or phobias. Take heart--- you can take back your life from anxiety. 

Grief is a normal response to losing someone or something you value, whether the loss is of a loved one, a job, a relationship, a place, a beloved pet, one’s health, stage of life that has passed, or a hope that will not be fulfilled. Grief is never easy, but we can navigate your grief together by working through the tasks of mourning while developing self-compassion and resilience. 

Trauma and post-traumatic stress result from exposure to incidents that are emotionally disturbing or life threatening. Some traumas are visible to others (abuse, neglect, poverty, discrimination, violence, bullying, sudden loss, medical crises), while other traumas may be unknown to anyone but the person who experienced them. Either way, trauma often leads to negative beliefs about oneself, other people, and the world. We can use Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy to help traumatic memories feel less disturbing and help healthy beliefs about yourself to feel more true, making it possible to function in healthier ways. To learn more about EMDR, visit www.emdria.org/about-emdr-therapy/.

Change is a normal part of life, but some changes can significantly impact our sense of identity, relationships, and daily routines. Whether you’re moving to a new area, leaving home for the first time, starting or finishing college, beginning a new job or career, getting married, ending a relationship, coming out as LGBTQIA+, becoming a parent, experiencing the “empty nest”, retiring, or facing another transition, you don’t have to navigate your situation alone. Let’s work together to process your emotions, set realistic expectations, practice self-compassion and self-care, learn from past transitions, and strategize to find the support you need to get through this time.