Becoming a parent can be an exciting and stressful time in your life. Everything is new to you and things are changing quickly. Most everyone experiences stressors related to the adjustment of becoming a parent, and this can be one of the most complex transitions of your life.

Learn more about my work with trauma HERE

Learn more about individual relationship therapy HERE

At least 1 in 5 birthing individuals experience a perinatal mood or anxiety disorder (PMADs). PMADs are the most common complication of child birth, and it is treatable with the right support. You are not alone.

Depression, anxiety, OCD, and PTSD can begin or intensify during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Challenges within your relationship may arise or you may feel lost in your emerging identity as a parent.

Becoming a parent is a vulnerable period that can bring forward unresolved trauma, or awaken unseen parts of ourselves that need space to heal. If you're feeling disconnected during this time in life or this is not what you were expecting, you are not alone. With support, you can feel like yourself again.

Perinatal loss is when one has experienced the loss of a pregnancy or infant. Pregnancy loss is one of the most common experiences that we don’t really discuss, until it happens.

1 in 4 parents lose a baby during pregnancy or birth. This is a unique form of grief, often invisible and traumatic.

Grief is a natural response to loss, and there is no one way to grieve the loss of your baby. I understand the need to feel heard and understood through your grief, and the unique challenge presented in this form of grieving.

You may feel a loss of your connection to the identity of parent; there’s no baby to hold or bereavement leave offered for your loss. People around you might shy away from discussing your loss, speaking your baby’s name, or say things that feel harmful. The medical care you receive is often completely detached from the emotional care you need.

There are not many sanctioned ways to acknowledge baby loss, but your grief is real and it is valid. If you’ve experience a miscarriage, late term loss, TFMR, stillbirth, or infant loss, I’m here to support you in your journey as you begin to connect to and understand your grief.

If you are facing an infertility diagnosis, your world may not feel recognizable. Approximately 1 in 5 couples experience the stress of infertility. Fertility challenges impacts both partners, and the process can be filled with worry, sadness, and grief.

Does the subject of fertility dominate most of your thoughts throughout the day? Is managing the emotional and physical challenge of infertility impacting your daily functioning? Receiving a diagnosis of infertility is no small matter, and the potential loss of reaching your family goals can impact every aspect of your world.

Therapy works to support you through the isolation, shame, and grief often associated with infertility, and provides you a space to process emotions that arise if the process of trying to become pregnant has been unsuccessful. Deciding to engage in or continue through the process of assisted-reproductive or third-party reproduction treatment isn’t often a clear decision. I will work to understand you and your unique needs through your journey. My goal is to help you feel supported and well-resourced during this time.

If you’ve experienced birth trauma (this includes during pregnancy and early postpartum) I want you to know you’re not alone. Birth trauma can be incredibly isolating and consume your postpartum thoughts. Treatment is possible, and there is hope.

There are many different factors that can lead to a traumatic birthing experience including anything related to TTC, pregnancy, birth, or postpartum.

We’ll work together to unpack your experience and feelings related to pregnancy, birth, and postpartum while exploring ways to cope with your current symptoms.

Please read more about my work with trauma HERE

Making the decision to try to conceive after loss is difficult for many. It is common for couples to both wish to try again right away and take time away from trying - there is no right answer.

Deciding when to try again is a decision only you as a couple can make with the support of your doctor. Being pregnant after loss can be scary and filled with worry, and having support to work through your loss while TTC or pregnant again can help you in building tools in staying connected during this process while allowing space for your grief.

There are many ways to build a family. I work with all family structures through the planning and growing of their families. If you are considering alternative insemination, using an egg donor, another third-party reproduction method, or adoption, having support through the decision process and emotional journey can help you stay connected to yourself and your loved ones through this chapter in life.

Many new parents worry if they are bonding with their baby “enough.” Perhaps you think the unconditional love should form the moment you’re pregnant or give birth, and maybe that hasn’t happened in the ways you’d hoped. Bonding with your child is being in relationship with them; it takes time to grow and bond with your baby. We can work together to explore these early months of parenting and ways to promote connection.

Perinatal challenges don’t only occur for the birthing parent. Having a child affects the entire family. 1 in 10 non birthing parents struggle with perinatal depression and anxiety. If you are struggling through this transition, you deserve support.

Parenting feels hard because it is hard! I support parents in building trusting, positive relationships with their children through helping parents understand their child’s needs and feelings better, where they are developmentally, and how to communicate effectively. Ever wonder why you feel so triggered by your kid(s)? Working through our own relational history helps us learn how to be in relationship to our child in a way that feel good to each of you.

Learn more about my work with individual relationship counseling HERE