Areas of Expertise
Birth Trauma
Not every birth story goes as planned. Almost 45% of new mothers experience birth trauma and this experience can have lasting impact on the birthing person's mental and physical health including flashbacks, poor self care, postpartum depression and/or anxiety. Therapy is a safe space to process your birthing experience to move through the trauma instead of being stuck in it. I will work with you to understand how your trauma manifests, build strategies for regulation and coping, and use Brainspotting to help you feel less "stuck".
Postpartum Depression and Anxiety
1 in 5 moms and 1 in 10 dads will experience postpartum depression. If you find yourself experiencing postpartum depression and/or anxiety, early intervention can help. In therapy, I will hold space for you to get to the root of understanding what is contributing to your depression and/or anxiety. Risk factors include (but are not limited to) predispositions to depression and/or anxiety, a history of trauma, poor social support, unfulfilled or unrealistic expectations around pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding or parenting, hormonal changes, lack of sleep, or birth trauma.
For more information about postpartum depression and anxiety, please visit Postpartum Support International.
Complex Trauma and PTSD
Many parents who experienced childhood trauma, complex trauma, or trauma to become a parent (IVF, high risk pregnancy, birth trauma, NICU stays) face an increase in trauma symptoms during the perinatal period. This could look like increased anxiety or constantly feeling like you're in survival mode (fight, flight or freeze), reminders and flashbacks of your trauma, or a renewed awareness of how you were parented and wanting to do differently for your child. Therapy is a great place to sort through your symptoms and your narratives. In sessions, we will build awareness around how your past trauma impacts your daily life, learn about how trauma impacts how you show up for yourself and loved ones, learn regulation and coping skills for managing symptoms, and use brainspotting to heal from trauma.
Healthy Communication
Having good communication skills is crucial for maintaining relationships with co-parents, family, friends, and your support systems. This involves calmly and assertively asking for help, sharing your values, setting boundaries, as well as actively listening to others and respecting their perspectives. In therapy, we will identify your communication patterns and learn strategies to be more open, honest and receptive with the people who matter most.
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Emotional Regulation
Are you feeling down, irritable or anxious? Overstimulated? Do you feel like your emotions are out of control? Do you have a hard time putting your feelings into words? Therapy is a safe space to feel and express your emotions so we can work through them. Alongside processing emotions, you will learn coping skills and strategies to be proactive in managing your overwhelming feelings.
Self-Care
When you've got a little one to care for, it can be challenging to remember to take care of yourself. And self-care looks different for each of us. In therapy, we will find what self-care looks like for you. We'll be solution focused - finding ways for you to be the parent you want to be while also making time to take care of yourself.