Therapist Spotlight: Eden Himidian, MA, LCSW, RYT

Eden is a psychotherapist, yoga instructor and clinical supervisor at Wildflower. Eden earned her Bachelor’s degree from Knox College and a Master’s degree in Clinical Social Work from the University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration. She has extensive training in Trauma Sensitive Yoga Therapy and Yoga Informed Psychotherapy as well as third wave…

Therapist Spotlight: Kate Ernstrom, MSW, LCSW

Kate is a psychotherapist and Director of Clinical Operations at Wildflower. Kate earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies from Cornell University and a Master’s degree in Clinical Social Work from Loyola University, Chicago. She has extensive training in treating mood and anxiety disorders as well as trauma through evidence-based practices,…

The Human Brain: An Owner’s Manual

I have often thought we need an owner’s manual for our brains. You may be thinking this isn’t necessary. After all, don’t we all already know how to use them? We seem to be getting along okay without one. In actuality, many of the ways we approach everyday tasks are inefficient, ineffective or just plain…

Therapist Spotlight: Danielle Fixler, MSW, LCSW, PMH-C

Danielle is a psychotherapist at Wildflower. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from University of Vermont and received her Master’s degree in Clinical Social Work at the Loyola University Chicago. Prior to coming to Wildflower, Danielle has worked in a number of settings, including a community mental health clinic, a methadone treatment department,…

Why is it still so hard for mothers to speak up about postpartum depression?

In the late 19th century, American writer and new mother, Charlotte Perkins Gilman, spoke of her experience of severe postpartum depression in her now famous short story “The Yellow Wall-Paper.” “The Yellow Wall-Paper” goes on to depict the well-meaning but ultimately harmful and oppressive efforts by her physician husband to alleviate the illness by mandating…

What Does Effective Psychotherapy for Postpartum Depression and Anxiety Entail?

Coming home with a new baby is like entering a familiar space you have lived in for years only to find that all your furniture and possessions got glued to the ceiling. Especially in the initial months, nothing seems to make sense or follow some semblance of a rhythm. While adjusting to the massive shifts…

10 essential facts about postpartum depression

1. Postpartum depression represents only one of a number of disorders experienced by women in pregnancy and postpartum. They are collectively known as perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs).  Not knowing that mental health disturbances in the postpartum can encompass symptoms such as agitation, anger, anxiety, obsessive thoughts and others, new moms who call our…