The impact of loss, whether it be through miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant loss, is immense. This grieving process can often feel lonely both for you as an individual and for you and your partner as a couple. Differences in how you process the experience individually within your relationship have the potential to exacerbate these feelings…
Perinatal and Reproductive Mental Health
Matrescence as a Psychotherapist: Part II
Source: Photo by Bethany Beck on Unsplash In our first article in this series which was written in collaboration with Chrissy Ellis, LCSW, PMH-C, we discussed the profound change we undergo during matrescence, or the physical, psychological, and emotional changes associated with the transition into motherhood. We also explored just how challenging it is to…
Matrescence as a Psychotherapist: Part I
[Photo by Ryan Franco on Unsplash] Our roles as therapists are characterized by the ability to create and hold space, bear witness to vulnerability and change, and attend to the dynamic and varying needs of our clients. Our roles as mothers and caregivers often demand these very same things. The transition to motherhood fundamentally changes…
Mindful Parenting
Many new parents and parents-to-be reflect on the question, “What type of parent do I want to be?” This question can seem so monumental and challenging to answer. This article offers a way to sort through how to arrive at answers. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) can help us in this exploration. The goal of…
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…
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.…
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…
Sometimes New Dads Need Help Too
Having a baby can be one of the most stressful times in our lives. We experience disruptions in sleep and changes in routines, self-care and personal time are redefined, and our identity and day-to-day lives completely shift to support a new human being. During this time of change, new parents experience an incredible amount of…
