Pregnancy and the new motherhood journey can evoke a mixed of emotions that may be overwhelming for some women. These emotions can range from a sense of joy, excitement, and love to a sense of fear, confusion and not feeling equipped enough to care for a baby.
Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorders affects 1 in 5 new and expectant women and it is accompanied by an array of symptoms. With adequate treatment, these disorders are treatable and symptoms may be temporary.
Individual Therapy May Be For You:
If you are feeling overwhelmed during pregnancy or in your new role as a mother
If you are experiencing symptoms, that lasts more than a 2 week period known as the Baby Blues, and are related to a Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorder during pregnancy or up to one year postpartum
If you are seeking mental and emotional support during your pregnancy or postpartum period
Christy goes above and beyond!
I have worked with Christy for some time, she is a mom like me and understands me like no other practitioner has. Christy took the time to make sure that I have the support and the tools to cope through my personal struggles. I have never felt uncomfortable or judged, when I meet with her I feel heard and supported which is hard to find. Christy goes above and beyond and empowers me to do well and be well. She is real and relatable and I am in a better place in my life because of her. When you meet her you will understand.
-A.C
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Perinatal Mental Health?
PMH refers to a woman’s mental health during pregnancy and the first year after birth.
What is a Perinatal or Maternal Mental Health Provider?
A therapist who specializes in supporting women during pregnancy planning, pregnancy, postpartum adjustment, pregnancy loss and early parenting.
What are perinatal mental health services?
Services for any woman experiencing mental health problems and also planning a pregnancy, is pregnant or who has a baby up to one year old.
The goal of these services is to:
assist the mother in staying well during pregnancy and in the postpartum period (up to one year)
identify if additional services are needed due to symptoms worsening
provide the best possible care, treatment, assistance and support to the client and family
provide appropriate information regarding pregnancy, postpartum period and/or early parenting
What is Perinatal mental illness?
Psychiatric disorders that occur during pregnancy and up to one year postpartum.
What are some common perinatal mental illnesses?
Antenatal (before birth) depression, postnatal depression, anxiety, perinatal obsessive-compulsive disorder, postpartum psychosis and post-traumatic stress disorder. These symptoms connected to these illnesses can range from mild, moderate to severe.
What is Paternal Postnatal Depression?
Fathers who experience depression following the birth of their child and experience symptoms of anxiety, depression and mood alteration which may be exacerbated by a lack of quality sleep, relationship stress, life transition stress, as well as, a prior history of depression.
What are other signs to be aware of in fathers that may be related to paternal postnatal depression?
Anxiety, changes in eating and sleeping routines, extreme fatigue, sadness and a sense of feeling overwhelmed, similar to symptoms mothers affected by postpartum depression experience.
What is pre-baby couples’ therapy?
It is therapy gears towards helping new (up to one year) or expectant parents navigate the transitional period into parenthood.
What is the focus of pre-baby couples’ therapy?
The therapeutic focus of pre-baby couples’ therapy includes:
discussing the importance of the father’s role in parenting and bonding
understanding and attuning to baby’s needs
maintaining romance and intimacy
strengthening friendship
expressing individual and relationship needs
communication
aligning in parenting styles/approaches
establishing boundaries
identifying unique family traditions and expectations
reducing risk factors that lead to a perinatal mood and anxiety disorder