The Birth of a Mother

When a woman gives birth, she births not only her child but also a new identity: that of a mother. This identity has been in the making since the moment she found out she was pregnant — and perhaps even before then — especially if her decision to start a family was an intentional one.…

The Loneliness of Perinatal Loss

October is the Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. This formal designation is meaningful and important as it lets parents who have experienced a miscarriage, stillbirth or infant loss know that their loss is not invisible. Grief can feel incredibly lonely — the whole world around you is still buzzing with its steady, everyday activity…

Assertiveness Training: Using DEAR-MAN Tool to Get More of What You Want and Less of What You Don’t

What makes communication important? Communication refers to the manner in which we express ourselves with one another. Communication, whether verbal or nonverbal, is used to pass information to others and, conversely, to understand what is shared with us (Gudykunst, 2004). While the premise of exchanging information seems simple, communication can feel fraught when setting a…

10 Tips for Postpartum Wellness

Source: Photo by Kevin Liang on Unsplash  The first postpartum year is full of challenges, but there are ways to ease the transition. Trying to power through the many trials and difficulties of this period is never a good idea. Below are helpful tips to help you survive and thrive as you adjust to motherhood.…

Applying DBT to the Treatment of Trauma: Trauma Explained

Note: This article is primarily intended to be a resource for mental health professionals who are treating individuals impacted by a history of trauma and who are seeking additional evidence-based tools to support their work. If you are not a mental health professional, you may also find this article helpful in learning more about the…

What Can Avoidance Teach Us?

Avoidance can be a very powerful coping strategy. We all do it – we avoid and we ignore. We try to push it away. It can work quite well in the moment. If it wasn’t so effective in the moment we wouldn’t use it so often. So why do we avoid? In the moment, we…

How to Co-Parent During the Coronavirus Pandemic

Co-parenting post-divorce is complicated and it can take time to develop a functioning system. It becomes even more difficult when additional factors are thrown into the mix and disrupt the system that you and your co-parent have developed. There is no doubt that the presence of the coronavirus pandemic will alter the way that you…

Mindful Movement Exercises to Reduce Tension

If you, like many of us, have been finding yourself sitting more than usual or have been noticing some increased muscle tension or soreness, a little movement can be a lifesaver. The two brief practices below are designed to invite some mindful gentle movement and release tension. These practices are great for small spaces and…

How Fathers Can Help Their Postpartum Partner and Themselves

Postpartum depression affects the whole family. The new mom’s distress is often disorienting to her partner – he may sense that she needs support but feel at a loss as to how to offer it. Fathers also frequently report a reduced capacity for providing meaningful help due to their own struggles in the early postpartum…

Virtual Infertility Support Group Starting August 2020

No person feels prepared to confront infertility and the grief, isolation, and fear that may follow the diagnosis. COVID-19 created unprecedented disruptions in daily living and medical care, including fertility treatment. You may have felt even more uncertain and hopeless. You are not alone. We are excited to announce the launch of our virtual Infertility…