Perinatal Therapy
In the Bay Area and across California
This feels like the worst timing to feel this way.
The unsolicited advice of the day is “enjoy it while you can, you’ll miss this one day.” You politely smile and you feel that pit in your stomach again. You thought you would feel that joy, but you don't, and you so desperately want to.
It hasn't been easy for you, and you're holding so much worry, guilt, and anger. These feelings are oozing out of you and it feels impossible to get a grasp on them. It feels like you're doing everything wrong and you second guess yourself constantly.
You are reminded to take care of yourself, but how do you do that when you can’t shut off your brain? Unwanted thoughts come in like spam emails that don’t quit even when you hit “unsubscribe.” You have tried to talk to others about how you feel and these conversations fall short leaving you feeling even more alone. You question why doesn't anyone get it, can’t they see my struggling?
You look at the world differently now. You feel different, and you question who you are at the same time. Your body feels like a war zone and you're uncomfortable in your own skin. You look in the mirror and question “am i supposed to get back to who I was or am I a different person now?
All of your relationships feel different too. You are having more arguments with your partner and navigating stressful dynamics with family. You didn’t anticipate old patterns and wounds to come back up now. Why now of all times? You find yourself erupting like a volcano and then you feel even worse. You worry you are impacting your baby because you can’t seem to get a hold of your emotions.
Rinse. Repeat. It starts all over again tomorrow. It’s exhausting and you want to feel better.
Life can feel different than the way it does today.
Reach Out
No matter where you are in the parenting journey - carrying a baby on the inside or in your home -I'm here to support you
I want you to know it is okay if you are struggling with this and you are not alone. The journey into parenthood is hard and you deserve a space where you can show up authentically without fear of judgment.
We will celebrate what you are already doing that is going well, and get curious about what isn’t. We work together to develop strategies and bolster up support to help you feel better.
I will support you to feel more grounded among the chaos and more confident to tackle the ups and downs of this new season of life. You are already a great parent and I help you see that. Whether you have struggled with your mood before or this is all new and unexpected, I know you can find relief and be well.
Perinatal therapy can help you…
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Improve your mood and bond with your child
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Break generational cycles and show up as a parent the way you intend to
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Learn techniques to deal with uncomfortable thoughts and feelings
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Connect deeply with yourself
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Anticipate and prepare for your needs during birth and after
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Process and heal from birth trauma
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Honor and process grief
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Heal your early wounds
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Create strategies for revival that are do-able for you
Specializing in perinatal therapy for:
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Signs you may be experiencing a perinatal mood and anxiety disorder (PMAD) are feeling sad, depressed, anxious or panicky, having a difficult time bonding with your baby, having thoughts you can’t get out of your mind, having difficulties sleeping and/or eating.
About 80% of birthing parents experience baby blues within the first 2-3 weeks after birth, if you are experiencing symptoms beyond that time you may be experiencing PMAD. This is treatable with the right support and I want you to know you can feel better.
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I offer specialized support for survivors of early childhood trauma and sexual abuse/violence who are navigating parenting at all stages.
Whether you’re in the family planning stage or raising a teenager, together we get to the root of your triggers and break through generational cycles so you can show up as the parent you intend to be.
You can learn more about my trauma specialty in online therapy for trauma here and learn more about EMDR here
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You are deserving of specialized support too. While you are trying to take care of everyone, who is taking care of you?
Are you:
Overwhelmed adjusting to your new roles and responsibilities
Having a hard time controlling your emotions
Wanting to change the way you show up with your family
Feeling down, worried, and/or angry
Needing support after witnessing a traumatic birth
Trying to hold it all together while having a baby in the NICU
Then you’ve made it to the right place. Reach out today.
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You were preparing for a new chapter and nothing could have prepared you for this unimaginable pain. I offer support to individuals and couples navigating life after perinatal and neonatal loss.
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Your relationship with yourself and others is bound to feel different at stages throughout your parenting journey. I offer individual therapy for relationships. I specialize in individual relationship counseling, learn more here.
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I meet you where you are on your journey and hold a non-judgemental space where you can ask questions, learn about resources, and receive support around your goals.
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While I work primarily with individuals, I offer short term support for couples and can meet with you and your partner if needed to best support you.
You don’t have to go on like this. It is possible to feel relief and reconnect with joy
FAQS
What others have wondered about perinatal therapy
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The term PMAD includes the range of mood disorders experienced in pregnancy and/or postpartum. Although the term postpartum depression is most commonly used, people can also experience anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), bipolar disorder, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and postpartum psychosis.
1 out of 7 birthing parents experience a PMAD and 1 out of 10 partners.
If you are struggling with your mood you are not alone. With the right support you can feel better.
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The perinatal period is considered from starting to think about growing your family through 3 years after birth. I believe in the importance of meeting you where you are on your journey. I provide support prior to pregnancy and through pregnancy loss.
Sometimes individuals struggling with PMADs and/or birth trauma may not seek support until later in the postpartum period or after and that is okay. If this is you, I am glad you made it here.
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I offer short term couples support for certain circumstances such as: grieving a loss, needing support with short problem solving, providing information to partners about PMADs and how to help support you. I do not provide ongoing couples therapy, if the need arises I can connect you with that support.
More questions? Check out my FAQs page.