perinatal mental health
Are you currently experiencing or have you experienced:
Birth Trauma
Pregnancy Loss
Pregnancy after Loss
Pregnancy Termination
Medical racism
NICU support
Breastfeeding Challenges
Perinatal Anxiety
Postpartum Depression
Therapy for Pregnancy, Postpartum, and Birth Trauma
You keep coming back to the question of whether you actually need support, or if you should just be able to handle this. You might even be used to brushing it off, telling yourself it’s hormones, stress, or just a hard season.
You’re getting through the days, but it still feels heavy. Like you’re moving through life, but not really feeling like yourself in it.
Pregnancy, loss, and postpartum can do that. You can be doing “okay” on the outside and still feel overwhelmed, anxious, shut down, or not like you.
Sometimes you can make sense of what is happening in your mind, but it still does not shift in your body. I use EMDR and somatic therapy to help you work through what feels stuck in those moments, especially when you already understand things logically but still feel it in a deeper way.
As a mother with my own perinatal experiences, I know how strange and heavy this season can feel, even when it was something you wanted.
perinatal mental health…
peri - around/ natal- birth
refers to mental health issues and concerns (from both parents) that can occur during pregnancy and up to two years after birth. Perinatal mental Health (PMH) can include a wide range of conditions, such as mood disorders, anxiety, and anxiety-related disorders. It can also include conditions that begin before pregnancy and mental health concerns related to pregnancy loss and fertility.
perinatal mental health support in Texas
Growing your family can be one of the most meaningful experiences of your life. It can also be one of the most overwhelming.
Perinatal mental health support is available for individuals and couples at any stage of the reproductive journey, including trying to conceive, pregnancy, postpartum, breastfeeding, and the many emotional challenges that can come with these transitions.
You may be struggling with pregnancy anxiety, postpartum anxiety, postpartum depression, birth trauma, relationship changes, identity shifts, or simply feeling unlike yourself. Whatever you're carrying, you do not have to carry it alone.
As a mother myself, I know that bringing life into the world can be beautiful, joyful, exhausting, stressful, and sometimes deeply triggering. Two things can be true at once. You can love your child and still struggle. You can feel grateful and still need support.
signs of postpartum anxiety, postpartum depression, and other perinatal mental health concerns
feeling sad or depressed
feeling more irritable and angry with those around you
having difficulty bonding with your baby
having problems with eating and sleeping
having upsetting thoughts that you can’t get out of your head
feeling as if you are ‘out of control” or “going crazy”
feeling anxious or panicky
a sense of horror about the obsessions
fear of being left alone with your baby
hypervigilance in protecting your baby
obsessions/intrusive thoughts - persistent, repetitive upsetting thoughts or mental images related to baby.
compulsions- you may do certain things over and over again to reduce fears and obsessions. ex. needing to clean constantly, check things many times.
flashbacks or nightmares about your childbirth experience
having racing thoughts or trouble concentrating
feelings of guilt, shame or hopelessness
loss of interest, joy or pleasure in things you used to enjoy
possible thoughts of harming the baby or yourself
You are not alone. While many parents experience some mild mood changes during or after the birth of a child, 15 to 20% of women experience more significant symptoms of depression or anxiety (Postpartum Support International).
Inclusive Support
I want you to feel comfortable, safe, seen and heard in this space. Which is why I have undergone extensive formal training on the impact of race, gender, sexuality and other identities on healing, mental health and parenthood. Every family is different and there is such beauty in that! So, it is my goal that all genders, sexual orientations, polyamorous partnerships, single parent families and individuals that are seeking support feel welcome, celebrated and encouraged to do so with me.