Explore every episode of the podcast Mom and Mind

It is an undeniable fact that our Western norms for prenatal and postnatal care of mothers are very different from other countries and cultures. Even the term “confinement” is not as familiar to most Americans as it is in other countries. Join us as we explore this topic further with today’s expert.  Dr. Kristal Lau is a certified European Lifestyle Medicine (ELMO) Health and Fitness Advisor and a leading postpartum wellness consultant specializing in bridging cultural practices with modern postpartum care. She is an author, former physician, veteran’s spouse, and the mother of two. Her mission is to revolutionize postpartum wellness for mothers and their families through holistic postpartum wellness experiences that blend modern healthcare and science with personal lifestyles and cultural practices. Currently living in France, Dr. Lau is originally from Malaysia, where she grew up using the best of both worlds in Chinese medicine and allopathic medicine. She serves as a board member for the non-profit Military Birth Resource Network and Postpartum Coalition (MBRNPC) and continues to volunteer with the Army Community Services in USAG Wiesbaden as a military retiree’s spouse. Her book, Postpartum 30: Thirty Days To A Nurtured Fourth Trimester, was published in 2023. In this episode, Dr. Lau shares her experience in following the Chinese postpartum confinement practice after birthing her children, along with the collaboration work she’s doing on snoring and sleep apnea in pregnancy and the postpartum. She also discusses modern confinement practices and the rising interest in this form of postpartum care.  Show Highlights: Confinement practices for postpartum rest are common in other parts of the world and rooted in Chinese medicine. Dr. Lau’s experience with postpartum depression even after following the structure of her confinement practice Largely unknown outcomes for migrant Asian women around the world who follow traditional confinement practices The boom of postnatal retreats in the US Dr. Lau explains traditional Chinese principles around proper nutrition and rest for the new mother. Dr. Lau’s journey to write her book, Postpartum 30 Variations in confinement days from culture to culture The partner’s important role as the main support person in a new mother’s confinement The need for modernization and adaptations in traditional confinement practices Dr. Lau’s advice for those seeking to use traditional Chinese herbs in postpartum care Dr. Lau’s experience with sleep issues, like snoring and daytime sleepiness–even though she doesn’t “fit the bill” for sleep apnea The anatomical changes during pregnancy that can lead to sleep apnea The need for more clinical data in the area of pregnancy, snoring, and sleep apnea (Sleep above everything!) Resources: Connect with Dr. Kristal Lau: Website, YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Postpartum 30 book Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to be a better support in offering services.  You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today! If you are a California resident looking for a therapist in perinatal mental health, email me about openings for private pay clients!

The idea of “not doing enough” comes up every week with moms in therapy who feel like they aren’t getting enough done on their to-do list, whether it’s an actual list or a mental list in their minds. Let’s explore this topic deeper. Show Highlights: The parenting to-do list increases exponentially as you become a new parent. We shouldn’t discount ALL the things new parents do on a daily basis. Pressure from within and without brings unrealistic expectations that a mom should do “all the things.” Irritability, agitation, frustration, and negative self-judgment lead to questions like, “What’s wrong with me?” Dealing with an overloaded and overwhelmed emotional state Compassionate reflection can be helpful in overcoming negative thought patterns. The importance of sleep (Sleep deprivation can get in the way of basic daily tasks.) Advice for anyone who is being hard on themselves Resources: Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to be a better support in offering services.  You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

The transition back to work as a new parent can be a difficult time to navigate, and many factors can have a significant impact on our lives and emotional well-being. Even though the transition can cause anxiety, depression, and heavy emotions, there are ways to prepare and protect your mental health for this transition. Join us for more in today’s episode.  Dr. Emily Guarnotta is a licensed clinical psychologist and certified perinatal mental health provider specializing in maternal mental health. She is the owner of Phoenix Health, a therapy practice that supports those who are navigating the challenges of parenthood.  Show Highlights: Considerations for returning to work after maternity leave Specific struggles that people might face when a mental health condition is present Dr. Emily’s helpful hints in preparing to return to work The value in proactive conversations and clear communication with your partner about the transition Always have a Plan B in mind! Immediate concerns in planning to return to work Supporting yourself in the first days back at work Dr. Emily’s observations about the impacts of not having the needed support during this time Dealing with hormonal changes and stress around big life changes How long does it take to adjust to being back at work as a new mom? What to know about your HR department policies, state laws, etc. Dr. Emily’s advice about being patient, giving yourself grace in the transition, and seeking out support if you’re struggling Resources: Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to be a better support in offering services.  You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today! Connect with Dr. Emily Guarnotta and Phoenix Health: Website Instagram Facebook LinkedIn

Today’s episode carries a sensitivity notice for anyone currently processing a birth trauma. Kayleigh Summers is a licensed therapist, writer, and content expert in perinatal trauma. Through sharing her lived experience as an amniotic fluid embolism survivor, Kayleigh supports families through perinatal trauma. She has created thriving support communities through Instagram and TikTok, and she uses her podcast, The Birth Trauma Mama, to provide connection, storytelling, and resources to support those experiencing birth and other types of trauma. Show Highlights: Kayleigh’s first pregnancy, which was typical until her routine appointment at 40 weeks and two days Kayleigh’s very long (three days!) induction process, which she doesn’t remember The reality of the feeling of impending doom–and how it differs from anxiety or a panic attack Her heart stoppage, CPR, and the birth of her son while she was technically “not alive” Kayleigh’s son, 10 lbs. 14 oz., had to be resuscitated at birth. Details about amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) and possible risk factors The profound hemorrhage that accompanies AFE (Kayleigh needed 143 units of blood products through her ordeal.) The seriousness of Kayleigh’s condition: another resuscitation, ECMO life support, an immediate hysterectomy, and an impeller (windmill-like device) to help her heart pump blood Trauma response, retrograde amnesia, and how our brains protect us The sad, beautiful account of Kayleigh’s first moments with her son (5 days after his birth) Additional abdominal surgeries, a long ICU stay, and finally home after 14 days The aftermath of Kayleigh’s experience: her emotional and physical pain, not being able to mother her son, and the grief of knowing she would not bear another child Therapy support, talking about feelings, and an ongoing healing journey Kayleigh’s decision to help other people through perinatal trauma Kayleigh’s message to birth trauma survivors Resources: Connect with Kayleigh Summers: Website, Instagram, and The Birth Trauma Mama podcast Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to be a better support in offering services.  You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

There are many different reasons that bring people into therapy. I often find myself angered by how societal impacts and pressures continue to haunt new moms to the point of making them feel bad about themselves. They can feel stuck and wonder if their feelings are normal or okay. One of the top things that bothers me is when moms feel guilty for wanting time alone. Doesn’t everyone deserve time for themselves? Moms get pressured like no other parent/guardian about wanting to take time for themselves in a guilt-free way. Moms should be supported in getting a break when they need it! Join me for a closer look at this topic. Show Highlights: Sources of this specific kind of mom-guilt Myths around attachment parenting and other parenting styles Is complete selflessness always the best thing? The disservice we do to moms, kids, and partners when we expect a mom’s needs to be nonexistent The effects of this pressure and guilt on a mom’s mental health Wanting alone time does NOT mean you are selfish or that you don’t love your child. The kind of support and normalization moms need to be more present with their kids and have mental stability in a guilt-free life Ways moms judge themselves with internalized pressure, family pressure, and societal pressure The truth: Every mom should be supported in shame-free and guilt-free ways to confidently take the breaks they need.  Resources: Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to be a better support in offering services.  You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

Today’s episode focuses on the narrative style of therapy, and it’s a topic that we haven’t covered on the podcast before. We always want to explore new therapeutic approaches and the various ways they can offer healing and support for more women. Everyone needs to know about the different therapies that are available to them. Join us to learn more! Dr. Lyneia Richardson is a mother, healer, and licensed psychologist, and she works as a maternal mental health advocate dedicated to revitalizing the spirit of all mamas. She received her BA in psychology from North Carolina A&T State University and a master’s in mental health counseling from Johns Hopkins University. After earning a Ph.D. in counseling psychology from Howard University, she focused her work on decolonizing therapy and education through a mothering praxis. She is currently a professor of counseling at McDaniel College and the proud owner of Melanated Women's Therapy LLC. Dr. Richardson recently published Mothering As A Work of Art, an anthology collection of personal narratives exploring the multiple dimensions of black mothering aimed at changing the narrative on mothering and what it means to mother in contemporary times. In today’s episode, she discusses these topics and the value of using narrative therapy as a pathway through healing birth trauma.  Show Highlights: The narrative approach: to externalize and separate yourself from the problem (It’s the opposite of self-blaming and internalizing issues, challenges, and traumas.) Understanding the difference between storytelling and narrative The common experience for women of all races in not being listened to by their doctors and nurses Dr. Richardson’s personal birth story and her work with social justice and advocacy to amplify the voices of black mothers The challenge in advocacy work Broadening the network to have a bigger outreach to help moms Collective healing and community healing Empowerment through a support network Trying to normalize the struggle when social media makes everyone else’s life look perfect Mothering As A Work of Art: How the book came to be Being a creative mom The value of sharing stories as a form of healing and therapy Resources: Connect with Dr. Lyneia Richardson: Website, Melanated Women's Therapy LLC, Instagram, and Mothering As A Work of Art Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to be a better support in offering services.  You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

Today’s episode is about the benefits of two lesser-known therapy modalities and how they can be used in perinatal mental health. Join us to learn more from our expert guest! Abigail Burd is a licensed clinical social worker, reproductive mental health specialist, trainer, therapist, supervisor, and consultant in the San Diego area. She is also the author of The Postpartum Depression Workbook. Abby is passionate about the perinatal stage and is humbled by the privilege of becoming a parent to two children. Her career as a mental health professional began in 1998, and she has specialized in perinatal mental health since 2013. She is an active member of the Postpartum Health Alliance and has served on their executive board. She is a mental health counselor and clinical supervisor at MiraCosta College. She joins us today to discuss some novel approaches to perinatal mental health, including clinical hypnosis and strategic psychotherapy. From her experience and insights, she shares how these modalities can be useful for perinatal trauma and reproductive mental health, along with an overview of the training she offers.  Show Highlights: An explanation of clinical hypnosis: what it is and what it is not A common experience with clinical hypnosis is a state of deep relaxation that makes hard things seem “more palatable.” An explanation of strategic psychotherapy to address anxiety and trauma How clinical hypnotherapy and strategic psychotherapy are complementary modalities Abby’s ideas about how these modalities can be helpful to people with perinatal mental health difficulties Hypnosis is a form of dissociation, so therapists must tread carefully with those who have a history of PTSD. Abby’s routine in hypnotherapy with clients to create a safe place Abby’s training on novel approaches, differentiation, and utilization (Live via Zoom on 9/19 and 10/25 for therapists and psychotherapists, and CEUs are available!) Resources: Connect with Abby Burd: Website, Instagram, Facebook, and The Postpartum Depression Workbook Check out the following resources on upcoming training opportunities: –Blog Overview of the Trainings –Registration for 9/19/24 Training –Registration for 10/18/24 Training Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to be a better support in offering services.  You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

Even though the experiences might be different, there are many similarities in postpartum struggles. It helps all of us to know that ALL of our experiences are real, and no one has it “all figured out.” Thinking that everyone else but you must have it all figured out creates a lot of anxiety in the already difficult transition to motherhood. Anxiety is completely normal in the new and demanding world of motherhood, but sometimes that anxiety escalates into something that greatly impacts our ability to function throughout the day, our sleep, and our care for our families. It is painful–physically, mentally, and emotionally–and it brings shame and self-judgment, which only compounds the problem. There is no timeline or race to “get it all together.” Everyone’s journey is different. Let’s take a closer look at postpartum anxiety. Show Highlights: Mental health conditions make us feel bad, even if we aren’t fully aware of what’s happening. Common signs and symptoms of anxiety: excessive worry, fear, overwhelm, restlessness, sleep difficulties, chest tightness, heart palpitations, shallow breathing, sweatiness, chills, tight muscles, and gastrointestinal issues Anxiety can be magnified by trauma. Symptoms of anxiety can make it difficult to pay attention and concentrate. Trying to control/manage things and overpreparing are signs of anxiety. The challenging aspect of anxiety for a therapist is to get people to believe that anxiety won’t last forever and that things CAN change. Slow steps are important in the process of change. Anxiety feels like failure–like you aren’t doing enough. Therapy is ALWAYS worth it! Resources: Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to be a better support in offering services.  You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

Many times, the path to healing isn’t one specific thing but a combination of things, and journaling is certainly one beneficial activity in all kinds of healing processes. Today’s episode will be helpful to you if you are facing challenges and need a healthy way to process thoughts and feelings. Learn more with us in this episode! Allie Mirosevic is a wife, a mom of two, and an entrepreneur who lives in Los Angeles. She founded Bliss'd, a self-care brand aimed at helping fellow moms live more joyful and fulfilling lives through the power of journaling. After discovering her love of journaling in 2019 following her first challenging postpartum experience, her passion became helping other moms experience the transformative benefits of journaling through her easy-to-use gratitude and connection journals. Along with simple journaling tips, Allie joins us to share her journey through postpartum depression and how she treated the issues and found healing.  Show Highlights: Allie’s story: a native Chicagoan transplanted in LA, a BIG pivot in careers, the plunge into entrepreneurship, and a difficult postpartum experience that fully revealed her purpose and passion Allie’s postpartum challenges in 2019 with the birth of her son Finding support through medication, therapy, and journaling The big question when beginning to journal is, “What do I write?” Fact: The blissful newborn experience is NOT every mother’s reality. Allie’s experience as a new journaler: blank journal vs. guided journal? Navigating a journaling practice as a very busy mom (Start with 5 minutes to build new skills and habits.) Allie’s takeaway for listeners about the benefits of journaling Resources: Connect with Allie Mirosevic:  Website and Instagram Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to be a better support in offering services.  You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

Perinatal loss and grief are different from other types of grief. In this episode, we discuss how parents can care for themselves during the grief process and why people often don’t acknowledge this kind of grief. We, as a society, do not do a good job in supporting people through perinatal loss and grief. We can do better! My guest is Nneka Symister, a licensed clinical social worker with over two decades of experience in social services. She has dedicated the past decade to private practice, working with diverse populations in New York, and currently specializes in PMADs, infertility grief, and loss. Working with both individuals and couples, her methods draw from a range of modalities, including CBT, EMDR, interpersonal therapy, and mindfulness.  Show Highlights: An explanation of perinatal grief Ways in which perinatal grief shows up as “invisible grief” The complexities around perinatal grief that make it difficult to offer the right support How we can “sit” with someone in their grief/loss without being dismissive of their pain In dealing with your grief, protect your space and form a protective circle The difference between grief and suffering The compulsion to find fault and blame ourselves The tendency to be a martyr and not ask for the help we need Flexibility is needed in grieving as your needs change (There is no “proper” way to grieve!) Assessing your basic needs during grief Nneka’s message: “If you are grieving, trust your feelings. Please reach out to a therapist who can sit with you and give you the language to navigate this space to ensure that your needs are met in the best possible way.” Resources: Connect with Nneka Symister: Website, Instagram, and LinkedIn Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to be a better support in offering services.  You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

The transition to motherhood can bring feelings of loneliness as life forces a new schedule and new priorities. A new mom’s responsibilities are never-ending, along with the added stress of insufficient sleep and managing a new normal in the household. Our society is set up such that a mom is most often the default parent, and this can lead to a disconnect in the relationship. As we will discuss in this episode, loneliness is about much more than just being alone. Join me for more on this topic! Show Highlights: Moms can be surrounded by people and still feel alone because they aren’t connected, supported, and understood. Dealing with a limited bandwidth for conversation and connection to a partner The value of feeling connected to a like-minded community What loneliness looks and feels like Finding connection and understanding through therapy, support groups, and a supportive community A cultural system that isn’t set up to be supportive for new moms so they know what’s normal and what isn’t normal How we fail new moms by letting them float around until they “figure it out” Let me know how you’ve experienced loneliness, the impacts you’ve noticed, and your thoughts on how we can offer better support. Email me! Resources: Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to be a better support in offering services.  You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

Obstetricians play an important role in perinatal mental health, and hearing their perspective is always informative. It makes my heart happy to learn that more and more OBs are getting trained in perinatal mental health so they can offer more help to their patients. My guest shares her story to help normalize the perinatal mental health issues that many women face. Join us! Dr. La Toya Luces-Sampson (Dr. Toya on social media) is a wife, mother, coach, and board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist. Her work is geared to physician moms who are postpartum and beyond to help them go from feeling anxiety and resentment to feeling confidence and joy. She does this through private coaching and as the host of the Stethoscopes and Strollers Podcast. Show Highlights: Dr. Toya’s story of her second pregnancy and delivery, dealing with unusual pain, complications, and family stress Marriage issues, couples therapy, and working through challenges on a trip to Mexico Dr. Toya’s pursuit of her perinatal mental health certification to help other physician moms How the system fails moms who need help Starting her podcast, Stethoscopes and Strollers  to tell her story and help others What Dr. Toya wishes she had done differently Dr. Toya’s efforts to prioritize her wellness in pivotal life choices The need to temper our opinions on social media to respect others’ choices Dr. Toya’s perspective on the gaps in our healthcare system for perinatal mental health conditions An unsustainable healthcare system in which people (patients AND doctors) cannot thrive Dr. Toya’s message to moms: “Asking is your superpower. You deserve the care, rest, and support that you need, and it is setting you up for the rest of your motherhood journey.” Resources: Connect with Dr. Toya: Website, Instagram, YouTube, and Stethoscopes and Strollers Podcast Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to be a better support in offering services.  You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

My guest today shares the culture shock she felt as a Japanese woman giving birth in the US and experiencing the vastly different healthcare system. Being away from her family was challenging, but she also felt frustrated with postpartum care in the US as compared to Japan. She also shares about the deep stigma of postpartum depression among the Japanese people, how she handled that as a new mother with PPD difficulties, and how we can improve perinatal care in the US. Join us to hear Keiko’s story! Keiko Yoneyama-Sims is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Supervisor who lives in Denver, Colorado, with her husband, two teenage daughters, and a cat. Born and raised in Japan, she moved to the US for her college education. In her private practice, Keiko has worked with women experiencing PMADs for over ten years, along with facilitating workshops and networking events for local birthing professionals to encourage interdisciplinary collaboration. With a primary focus on perinatal mental health, Keiko is currently working toward a Ph.D. in social work at the University of Denver. She is the health and wellness director of the Colorado Chapter of the Association of Asian American Professionals and has presented at international conferences, facilitated workshops, written articles, and co-authored a book chapter on perinatal mental health. Her collaborations with clients, supervisees, and colleagues emphasize equality in relationships using a strength perspective.  Show Highlights: Keiko’s path into the work she does today Keiko’s experience as a Japanese woman who came to college in the US The culture shock over the differences in healthcare in Japan and the US, including billing procedures, care practices, postpartum care, and nutrition The massive gaps in the US because postpartum care focuses solely on the baby–not the mother Messages about motherhood need to change at the societal level. The Japanese traditions of a 40-day resting period for new mothers, weekly midwife visits, etc.  How things are changing in Japan around perinatal mental health Depression can have very real physical symptoms! Keiko’s perspective on how we can make changes and improve the perinatal mental health system in the US Keiko’s advice to Japanese-American moms Resources: Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to be a better support in offering services.  You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

We would all love to only associate positive things with pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, but that’s just not everyone’s experience. Unfortunately, many people have negative emotions, triggers, traumas, and heartbreak around these major life events. I get mad on behalf of parents, especially mothers, during the perinatal time because of the real injustices many parents face. So many of these could be prevented if people were trained properly with awareness and compassion. I’m doing a bit of polite yelling in today’s soapbox edition of the podcast. Join me! Show Highlights: Responses I’ve gotten on my Facebook page about how parents are treated and the pressures put on them Comments to an expectant mom about her pregnancy tend to run between two extremes The transition to motherhood is NOT the same for everyone! We should be more thoughtful. The ridiculous question immediately after a first child is born: “When are you going to have another one?” Unfeeling comments to a mother after a traumatic birth or pregnancy loss Insensitive and shaming comments about medications during pregnancy and while breastfeeding People, especially older mothers of a certain age, make disparaging comments about new mothers who use a birth doula. Women should NOT have to fight for the right to give birth exactly as they choose. (Medical providers do not have the right to force a procedure on someone else’s body.) A doula is an advocate who can speak for you and help you make an informed decision in a hectic delivery room.  NO ONE has the right to tell you what you’re feeling is wrong or that you should change your opinion about your perinatal experience.  Resources: Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to be a better support in offering services.  You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

Today’s episode focuses on medications during pregnancy and postpartum. This topic raises many questions and opinions, and women need more information to understand the options they can discuss with their doctor. Join us to learn more from today’s expert guest! Dr. Priscilla Hidalgo, aka Dr. H, is a board-certified and fellowship-trained psychiatrist in private practice who serves patients in North Carolina and Florida. Her NC-based practice, Lux Psychiatry, focuses on helping busy and stressed people live happier lives with tailored treatment and direct care. Dr. H has a special interest in women’s mental health; she has been a guest speaker on multiple platforms, including podcasts and social media, where she has discussed women’s and perinatal mental health, work-related stress, and mindset.  Show Highlights: Dr. H’s path to the specialty practice work she does today Common experiences of Dr. H’s patients “When should I see a psychiatrist?” Dealing with a patient’s anxiety about taking medications Giving people the information they need to feel empowered and have reduced anxiety Why so many patients feel unseen and unheard at their doctor’s office Common questions about medications related to perinatal depression and anxiety Dr. H’s methods of dealing with medical providers Working with patients on medication management, psychotherapy, self-compassion, anxiety, etc.  Resources: Connect with Dr. Priscilla Hidalgo: Website, Facebook, and Instagram Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to be a better support in offering services.  You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

Parenting a child with disabilities brings a host of unexpected dynamics and challenges. No one knows the ins and outs of this journey better than a parent who has fought long and hard for her own children and used that knowledge to help others. Join us to hear more from Kelley! Kelley Coleman is a feature film development executive-turned-author and advocate who draws on over a decade of parenting and advocacy experience. With an unmistakable depth of passion for this work, Kelley shares her journey with a focus on what mental health can look like through the different stages of being a parent of a child with disabilities and how she’s working to empower and support other parents. One way she offers support is through her book, Everything No One Tells You About Parenting a Disabled Child: Your Guide to the Essential Systems, Services, and Supports. This book is a fantastic resource for parents to help navigate the systems to find the right support.  Show Highlights: The facts about the number of children born with disabilities The shock most parents feel when their child is diagnosed with a disability Shocking statistics: 66% of dads and 94% of moms of kids with disabilities WILL experience depression and/or anxiety Dealing with weird reactions from others about your disabled child Support, at its most basic, comes down to asking, “What do you need?” Why Kelley refuses to apologize to others for who her disabled son is and how he behaves Grieving what you “thought” life would be like and acknowledging that life with a disabled child is hard Kelley’s book premise in a nutshell: “Caregiving is a job. There is paperwork, planning, and systems you have to figure out. Here’s the information you need.” Kelley’s goal to support and empower other caregivers The importance of connecting with other parents Resources: Connect with Kelley Coleman: Website, Instagram, and book (Everything No One Tells You About Parenting a Disabled Child: Your Guide to the Essential Systems, Services, and Supports) Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to be a better support in offering services.  You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

Our session today focuses on an ongoing theme I see frequently with women in therapy. It’s centered on how many moms feel frustrated and blame themselves for not doing enough to feel better. There is so much to unpack around this topic. Let’s take a closer look! Show Highlights: We can’t “self-care” our way out of ongoing stress! Fact: Times of transition are inherently stressful. Scenarios in which stressors pile up and impact our mental health and well-being Understanding the impact of stressors with a conscious awareness Using context awareness to inventory your feelings Building self-awareness by using a checklist to inventory your basic life functions around sleep, eating, hydration, hormonal changes, etc. Identifying resources and your best sources of support Resources: Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to better support people for whom they provide services.  You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

OCD can be a debilitating condition. My guest today shares her personal experience, including how some medical care can actually contribute to a worsening of symptoms. Hers is an important story for us to hear because no matter how devastating a perinatal mental health condition is, the overriding message is that healing is always available. Join us to learn more! Danielle Silverstein knows the struggles of losing oneself amidst the busyness and chaos of life, but she is determined to keep finding, experiencing, and sharing fresh methods of self-discovery. She is committed to being outspoken when it comes to such important topics as maternal mental health, an experience that has become very personal for her. She has hosted the hit podcast, Marriage and Martinis, alongside her husband for the past five years. This endeavor has led to some of the most raw, open, and honest conversations that a “real” couple has ever shared in such a public way. Her wildly popular, record-breaking book and ebook, The Date Night Questions Experience, has helped partners worldwide connect in a refreshingly straightforward and uniquely impactful way.  Show Highlights: Danielle’s story of her first pregnancy with her daughter, now 19: a lot of experiences that were scary and unknown for her and her husband Living with (and noticing the signs of) a family history of OCD and anxiety—but not talking about it AT ALL The debilitating effects of stopping OCD medication during her first pregnancy Danielle’s doctors, 20 years ago, had NO concept of perinatal OCD and anxiety; they had no idea what to do to help her Danielle’s pregnancy and first few months with her newborn daughter were moments of enjoyment overshadowed by anxiety Wishing just one person had said something different to her about staying on her OCD/anxiety medication during her pregnancy Danielle’s experience in reverting back to her childhood and moving back into her childhood bedroom during her pregnancy The importance of finding THE right doctor–whether it means walking out of a practice or not (Do your research!!) Important questions to ask your doctor about perinatal mental health Why it feels hard to reach out for help when you feel shamed, pushed aside, and discounted by healthcare professionals The trickiness of being in the creative space as a content creator because of judgy people and all kinds of voices coming at you Why Danielle is committed to being outspoken about perinatal mental health and being the voice of support for ALL women’s experiences Resources: Connect with Danielle Silverstein and Marriage and Martinis: Website, Instagram, Marriage and Martinis Podcast, and The Date Night Questions Experience book Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to better support people for whom they provide services.  You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

Parental leave is a confusing topic to most of us because there is no uniformity from state to state and company to company. Many parents are probably not getting all the benefits available to them in parental leave because it’s such a confusing system. Today’s guest works relentlessly to help people figure this out and make the most of parental leave benefits and balancing parenthood and a career. Join us to learn more! Dr. Anne Welsh is a clinical psychologist, executive coach, and consultant. She began her career at Harvard before opening her own practice with a focus on supporting working parents in growing their careers and families. As an expert on the transition from working person to working parent, Dr. Welsh has dedicated her life to unraveling the interplay between career aspirations, personal fulfillment, and women’s mental health throughout their lifespan. Being a mother of four allows her to draw from her own experience as a mother, her research career on the transition to motherhood, and over 15 years in practice to help parents feel less alone and more connected to themselves and their values, fully empowered to make their own choices.  Show Highlights: Transitions: times of growth and struggle Shifting priorities and identities in the transition to parenthood Pressures and difficulties in being a working parent Discrimination in workplaces against women who become, or want to become, parents Dr. Anne’s work in supporting people to balance work and parenthood The importance of communication and self-care An uneven division of labor at home makes the transition back to work even harder! Understanding parental leave coaching and its benefits Navigating a return to work after experiencing a perinatal mental health disorder–and knowing how much to share with others Flexibility for working parents makes all the difference–but some companies are too rigid and unwilling to work with new parents. Dr. Anne’s Five Leadership Lessons of Parenting: people skills, processing skills, productivity, perspective-taking/planning skills, and playfulness Reframing the challenge as something positive and good that’s adding to our lives rather than detracting from our work Thinking of balance as an ongoing process rather than some kind of permanent “magical state” Resources: Connect with Dr. Anne Welsh: Website, Instagram, and LinkedIn Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to better support people for whom they provide services.  You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

There is so much more to the perinatal mental health story than just postpartum depression. I’m coming in hot today on my soapbox to speak on behalf of many very frustrated mothers. The problem is that they are the default parent, being 100%, or nearly 100% responsible for taking care of EVERYTHING. What makes me sick is the fact that we haven’t come far enough as a society to support new parents, new moms, and new default parents. Being the “cruise director” and the manager of everything for the family and household creates a tremendous amount of stress, depression, and anxiety. Let’s explore this topic in today’s episode! Show Highlights: Unless you are a single parent by choice, there is another parent who should be partnering with you. If your partner isn’t helping, who else can you depend on for help? Why I call “BS” on society’s attitude that tells moms to try harder and do better My anger and frustration on the behalf of those who are stuck and suffering My goal: to speak up for those who are not being seen and validated for their invisible labor There isn’t an easy solution, but we can start by being supportive and helping the default parent feel a little less alone and a little more seen.  Resources: Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to better support people for whom they provide services.  You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

Infertility affects many people all around us, and discussions about this topic are not happening enough. Whether a long path or a short one, every infertility journey is different with a million factors at play. I’m grateful that my guest today is sharing her story! Shatiera Amankrah is a licensed therapist specializing in infertility counseling, and she is certified in perinatal mental health. She is sharing her infertility journey and what she and her husband have been through, along with how she’s helping other professionals learn more about supporting families affected by infertility. Her private practice, Seeds of Hope LLC, provides a range of services, such as individual therapy, surrogacy screenings, donor egg and sperm screenings/consultations, workshops/training for professionals, clinical supervision, and consultation. Shatiera is licensed to practice in VA, GA, and Washington, DC, and has upcoming training sessions, both in-person (in the DC area on July 28) and virtual (on August 9 and September 8). Find out more at Seeds of Hope. Show Highlights: Shatiera’s story: grad school, marriage, and no progress in trying to conceive Multiple unsuccessful IUIs, an issue with her husband, and decreasing sperm counts–all pointing toward IVF as the only option Ups and downs in the IVF process: two unsuccessful attempts and then—Shatiera’s first-ever pregnancy with her daughter, now 8 The dilemma Shateira and her husband faced with their one remaining embryo Another IVF transfer, and—their son, now 5, was the happy result The emotional side of infertility from Shatiera’s struggle to become a parent and her current work as an advocate for others Blaming yourself and listening to the “outside noise” just adds to the pain of infertility The stigma men feel about male factor infertility The importance of setting boundaries to guard against others’ advice and opinions Infertility—--silent suffering Shatiera’s experience of pregnancy and postpartum after infertility–and the anxiety and emotional pain that came Shatiera’s path to a career in perinatal mental health What training to pursue to become a perinatal therapist Shatiera’s advice to anyone on the infertility journey Resources: Connect with Shatiera Amankrah and Seeds of Hope LLC: Website, Instagram, and TikTok Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to better support people for whom they provide services.  You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

It is astounding to note that 1 in 10 dads will experience a perinatal mental health condition, and research shows that dads also face hormonal changes. This Monday, June 17, 2024, is International Father’s Mental Health Day, and we want to bring fathers’ mental health to the forefront in today’s episode. When a mom goes through a perinatal mental health disorder, her partner is 50% more likely to also struggle. This is an important topic to discuss regarding the entire family system. Especially on social media, dads’ experiences are pushed aside and discounted because they don’t physically go through pregnancy and birth as a mother does, but we want to shed light on and give a voice to dads and the important part they play in the entire perinatal process. I’m grateful that my guest is sharing his story of becoming a new father. Join us to hear Tony’s story! Tony Pacitti, a writer, navigated pandemic parenthood to welcome his twin sons in 2020. He shares how he coped with the initial shock of his wife’s postpartum psychosis and psychiatric care, the emotions he encountered, and the complexities of writing and talking about this topic from a father’s perspective. Tony writes regularly about this topic and has been featured on numerous podcasts to share his story and bring awareness to a father’s perspective of perinatal mental health conditions. You can find out more about Tony’s life and work at his website. Show Highlights: Highlights of Tony’s story: twins born in 2020 during the pandemic and his wife’s psychotic episodes that began a few days later with paranoia, confusion, and hallucinations The shock, heartbreak, and fright Tony felt at seeing his wife’s psychosis play out in the hospital The response and efforts of the medical staff to help his wife—even though no one ever used the term “postpartum psychosis” After his wife and sons were home, she showed signs of depression and confessed to being suicidal. The dual realities in what he and others were seeing and what his wife was seeing about the twins’ health and wellness The back-and-forth experience of day treatment, short-term hospitalizations, and continued symptoms until she went for a long-term stay of more than a month Tony’s support system of his parents, therapist, PSI, and friends who helped out with the twins’ care The treatment (ECT: electroconvulsive therapy) and medications that finally worked and allowed his wife to come home An update on Tony’s wife now: the healthy and improved version, “Sondra 3.0” The truth about perinatal mental health conditions: the entire family system is greatly affected Tony’s need to document their experience and acknowledge what they went through Resources: Connect with Tony Pacitti: Website Click here to find resources about International Father’s Mental Health Day. Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to better support people for whom they provide services.  You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

I want to explore a topic that comes up a LOT in therapy sessions: comparing yourself to others. It’s a trap that many of us are caught in, especially when it comes to engaging in social media. In general, we seem to think that everyone else has their shit together except us. I won’t keep you in suspense, but I’ll tell you upfront that nobody has it together all the time. Why do we spend so much time and energy playing the comparison game? Let’s jump in.  Show Highlights: Parents are particularly vulnerable to making comparisons to others. The top reasons that we compare ourselves to others: societal pressure, social media, curated imagery in TV/movies, and general insecurities The downward spiral of negative self-judgment is a long road toward anxiety, depression, etc. Dr. Kat’s advice: “When it comes to social media, take note of how it makes you feel.” Comparison is seeing a snapshot of someone else’s life and comparing our worst to what looks like their best. Comparison, perfectionism, and people-pleasing are all attempts to make ourselves “good enough” for other people. Dr. Kat’s tips to combat comparisons: Limit social media. Realize that comparing yourself to a sliver of someone else’s moment is not the full picture. Cut yourself some slack and live YOUR own life. Realize that you are human—and all humans make mistakes.  Resources: Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to better support people for whom they provide services.  You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

Hearing the words “high-risk pregnancy” strikes fear in the heart of every parent. Even though we may not understand all the ramifications of that designation, we know it means that an unpredictable journey is ahead. I’m excited to welcome back today’s guest and learn more about her work in the field of high-risk pregnancy. Join us! Parijat Deshpande is the founder and CEO of Ruvelle, the only trauma-informed wellness company specifically dedicated to improving high-risk pregnancy outcomes, reducing preterm births, and supporting parents on the entire high-risk pregnancy journey. Parijat is a high-risk pregnancy expert who has a storied history of phenomenal work in this often-overlooked space. Her specialization in this field combines the somatic, mental, and emotional elements of the high-risk pregnancy experience. On a mission to end the high-risk pregnancy crisis, Parijat has served and supported thousands of clients through her live events, one-on-one work, and her bestselling book,  Pregnancy Brain: A Mind-Body Approach to Stress Management During a High-Risk Pregnancy. She has also written the Body Language Journal.  Show Highlights: Understanding the “high-risk pregnancy” designation–and why it does NOT guarantee a horrible outcome! The need for more communication in the healthcare system about the likely reasons for a high-risk pregnancy designation, such as advanced age, recurrent pregnancy loss, asthma, depression, kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, pregnancy with multiples, etc. Empower yourself by asking the right questions! Highlights of Parijat’s work with clients who have lived through a bad pregnancy experience The truth: Stress physiology affects reproductive health. It’s important to return to baseline after experiencing chronic or traumatic stress. We can learn how to control what we CAN control. Parijat’s work with clients to empower them to be seen and heard, find balance, and re-create the narrative in subsequent pregnancies How Ruvelle supports people in their high-risk pregnancy journeys The impacts Parijat has seen in clients through improved health, newfound confidence, and lived experiences of empowerment Resources: Connect with Parijat Deshpande and Ruvelle: Website and Instagram Get Parijat’s books:  Pregnancy Brain: A Mind-Body Approach to Stress Management During a High-Risk Pregnancy  and the Body Language Journal Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to better support people for whom they provide services.  You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

So many changes happen in the transition to motherhood, and these shifts run the gamut from physical, mental, emotional, and social changes to even chemical changes in the brain. I’m joined today by the author of Rattled: How to Calm New Mom Anxiety with the Power of the Postpartum Brain. Join us for an informative discussion on this important topic. Dr. Nikki Pensak is a clinical psychologist specializing in perinatal mental health and providing evidence-based therapy to her patients. She also serves on the Expert Review Board for Parents Magazine, the Expert Board of Providers for Mother Untitled, and is a TEDx speaker. She shares with us her personal experience and what inspired her to write her book.  Show Highlights: Dr. Nikki’s journey to perinatal mental health work through a focus on caregivers Dr. Nikki’s hindsight into mothers after her postpartum experience The mother: “The silent patient” Dr. Nikki’s book is based on the premise that motherhood, as we know it in the US, is NOT working. Three pillars in the transition to motherhood: postpartum treatment and mental health, matrescence, and the power of the maternal brain Postpartum treatment should focus on healthy ways to increase neuroplasticity in a productive way. Neuroplasticity in a new mother The prevalence of suffering in new mothers–and the time and understanding they need in this huge life transition A closer look at Dr. Nikki’s book, which addresses topics like mom shame, mom guilt, mom rage, relationship changes, bonding, back-to-work transitions, brain changes, and more The value of having a postpartum mental health action plan in place Dr. Nikki’s TEDx talk experience of speaking on “The Power of the Maternal Brain” The disparity in healthcare and research funding for men’s issues and women’s issues—we can do better! Resources: Connect with Dr. Nikki Pensak: Website, Instagram, YouTube, Rattled book Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to better support people for whom they provide services.  You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

Relationship challenges are at the top of the list of things that come up in therapy sessions. I’m not just referring to partner relationship difficulties, but even relationships with other family members. Becoming a parent brings up a lot of relationship dynamics about childhood, family, and our own parents, especially if there was family disruption, abuse, neglect, or emotional unavailability. To be fair, I’m not parent-shaming or blaming. Parents of a generation or two back might not have had great parenting skills because they didn’t get the parenting that they needed. Join me as we explore this concept in today’s Behind the Sessions episode. Show Highlights: As a psychologist, I can only diagnose and understand my clients—not all the other people in their lives. Our early experiences with our parents shape how we connect with people, how we bond and attach, and how we navigate relationships. The pressure on a new parent can be intense and lead to anxiety, depression, perfectionism, and OCD patterns. Healing our childhood trauma is a relatively new concept. Relationships with our parents can run the gamut from having no contact at all to having an incredibly intrusive parent. The generational healing journey begins with realizing that the way you were parented doesn’t have to be carried forward. You CAN break the cycle. Mistakes are part of life and learning. Seeing a therapist can help you NOT carry old traumas into the rest of your parenting journey. A deeper understanding of yourself and your healing can help you see your parents through a different lens.  I look forward to expanding further on this topic in future episodes with several of my colleagues! Resources: Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to better support people for whom they provide services.  You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

Join us for a deep dive into a perinatal IOP and what that involves. Today’s expert shares helpful information so we can understand the value of this higher level of perinatal support. Roxanne Rosenberg is the co-founder and clinical director of Anchor Perinatal Wellness, the Southeast’s only perinatal-specific intensive outpatient program (IOP). She is a member of the new federal Maternal Mental Health Task Force and has volunteered with Postpartum Support International at the local and national levels. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology with honors from Yale University and her master’s degree in psychology from Duke University. Roxanne has been supporting pregnant and postpartum people for over 15 years through individual psychotherapy, intensive outpatient programming, birth doula work, and advocacy. Her trainings in perinatal mental health and women’s trauma have been available across the country. She is a bilingual Latina mom of two and is a survivor of perinatal loss and trauma.  Show Highlights: What is a perinatal IOP? Reasons why someone might need an IOP Understanding the history of IOPs in the US (first began in Rhode Island in 2000; even now, there are only 32 across the US) IOP resources are available both in-person and virtually. Typical perinatal symptoms that indicate the need for an IOP Barriers to IOP treatment, like insurance limitations (although most insurance will cover it!) Roxanne’s role as the facilitator of the support system Promising results in Roxanne’s IOP in the last two years Benefits of support in a group setting with a structured program Specific needs and concerns in the IOP environment How to find a perinatal IOP (and housing if you need to go to a different state for care) Anchor Perinatal Wellness supports and accommodates a parent with attachment to their baby by providing childcare. Perinatal IOPs are an underutilized resource because people are unaware of their existence! Roxanne’s vision to make these IOPs more available to everyone who needs them The process of starting a perinatal IOP Advice for therapists who want to send their patients for this level of perinatal care Resources: Connect with Roxanne and Anchor Perinatal Wellness: Website, Roxanne’s email, Anchor Perinatal’s email, Facebook, YouTube, and phone: 919-275-0806 Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to better support people for whom they provide services.  You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

Health anxiety during pregnancy and the postpartum is a very real struggle for many people. My guest today joins us to share her experience and what she’s seeing from clients in her practice. You’ll learn how to notice perinatal health anxiety and what to do about it. Join us to learn more! Michelle Flynn is a fully accredited perinatal psychotherapist and certified infant massage instructor based in Dublin, Ireland. She specializes in supporting parents at all stages of their parenting journey from conception through birth and postpartum. She works with a national organization providing psychotherapy to survivors of childhood sexual abuse and also teaches in a master’s program. Following her experience of perinatal anxiety and her struggle to access appropriate mental health support, Michelle turned her focus to perinatal mental health and set up her private practice, An Croi Beag Psychotherapy (“Little Heart” in Irish). Through her private psychotherapy practice and her infant massage groups, Michelle hopes to further support parents in perinatal distress, raise awareness about perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, and improve access to mental health services for birthing people.  Show Highlights: Michelle’s journey into perinatal mental health and her overwhelming anxiety during her difficult first pregnancy Michelle’s experience with healthcare providers who dismissed her concerns and made her feel invalidated and unsafe Even mental health professionals feel shame and stigma about asking for help! Subsequent pregnancies brought Michelle two more babies for “three under three,” but those were different from her first pregnancy. The conversations we need to have with young people about pregnancy, birth, and postpartum so we can normalize it and remove the shame and stigma Understanding the mental health system in Ireland—and how things are beginning to improve What Michelle sees in her patients and their experiences The challenges in treating health anxiety The narrative around motherhood—and why we don’t open up when things go wrong Michelle’s advice about identifying health anxiety for yourself, and what to do next Resources: Connect with Michelle Flynn: Website, Email, and Instagram Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to better support people for whom they provide services.  You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

Many factors influence the transition to parenthood, and most of those things are unexpected and unpredictable. No one “signs up for” a perinatal mental health condition, but it can seem to come out of nowhere and leave you blindsided–in addition to the normal adjustments that come with the addition of a new baby to the family. These PNMH conditions can impact every area of life significantly, including the return to work. Join me for a closer look at navigating this tricky transition. Show Highlights: New parents experience varied emotions about returning to work (“It’s okay to want to return to work, and it’s okay not to want to return to work!) The truth: If you return to work when you’re not mentally well, the added stress of work will not help you get better. Your healthcare provider can do assessments of your perinatal mental health symptoms–just ASK! Planning ahead for the return to work can help you navigate the transition. My best tips for returning to work:  Try to navigate your return slowly, and don’t take on big, new projects right away. Pace yourself and give yourself space to figure out your changing needs. Understand that your priorities might have shifted by having a new baby. (Things might not feel “normal” for a while.) Be intentional and think about how you’ll balance work and home. Set boundaries and protect your energy. Prioritize your sleep! Resources: Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to better support people for whom they provide services.  You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

Having information and being empowered to make decisions are ways to protect mental health. Nothing is more disempowering than finding out later that you had choices of which you were unaware at the height of a mental health struggle. All of these concepts apply perfectly to birthing situations. One of the main reasons this podcast exists, along with the work of today’s guest is to spread information so that it’s accessible to EVERYONE. Join us to learn more! Dr. Rebecca Dekker, a nurse with her Ph.D., is the founder and CEO of Evidence Based Birth®️ and the author of Babies Are Not Pizzas: They're Born, Not Delivered. Previously, Dr. Dekker was an assistant professor of nursing at the University of Kentucky. In 2016, she shifted gears to focus full-time on the mission of Evidence Based Birth®️. She and Team EBB are committed to creating a world in which all families have access to safe, respectful, evidence-based, and empowering care during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. EBB does this by boldly making the research evidence on childbirth freely and publicly accessible. Dr. Dekker is also the host of the  Evidence Based Birth®️ Podcast, which has over 5.5 million downloads! Show Highlights: The beginnings of EBB in 2012 The shift for Rebecca from her first birth to her second—-a clear change from disempowerment to empowerment The evidence around preventable cesarean births, vaginal births, and the mother’s wishes Rebecca’s advice for those who want to advocate or feel empowered: Choose a provider and birth setting with a low cesarean rate. (Leapfrog is a recommended resource for information.) Consider hiring a doula for added support. Learn what the evidence shows about induction, Pitocin, and preparing your body with proper sleep, food, and hydration. Assessing your provider for “continuity of care” Fact: Switching providers can help prevent birth trauma! Approaching your labor/delivery experience with a spirit of collaboration and teamwork How PTSD can impact the decisions of healthcare workers Rebecca’s tips for empowering yourself in the labor/delivery process, using the acronym BRAND [Ask, what are the benefits, risks, alternatives, (what happens if I do) nothing, and discuss (with your partner).] Hot tip for laboring moms: Ask for time to pray (Rebecca explains why this gives you time and space.) Components of a calm birthing environment for an empowered laboring mother What Rebecca wants our listeners to know Resources: Connect with Dr. Rebecca Dekker and Evidence Based Birth®️: Website, Instagram, Facebook, Babies Are Not Pizzas: They're Born, Not Delivered, and the Evidence Based Birth®️ Podcast Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to better support people for whom they provide services.  You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

We have a very special episode to share with you today. I’m deeply honored to host Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter, thought leader, and wholeness advocate, Alanis Morissette! She is joined by the president and CEO of Postpartum Support International, Dr. Wendy Davis!  Alanis found PSI as a resource when she was dealing with perinatal mental health challenges, and she has openly shared about the value of PSI resources while on tour. In addition to being a long-time, powerful presence in the music world, she has become an equally influential advocate for mental health. She has been vocal about experiencing postpartum depression, or “postpartum activity,” as she has referred to it. In our conversation, she shares like never before what her experience was like, how it impacted her life, and how she has found her way to healing. Being in the public eye as a well-known performer has brought a whole other level of pressure and scrutiny to Alanis’ life experiences under the bright–and sometimes stinging–light of celebrity.  Dr. Wendy Davis began as a volunteer with PSI in 1997, became the executive director in 2009, and later became the president and CEO. She was drawn to this work after healing from postpartum depression and has become a passionate advocate and leader in the world of perinatal mental health. I’ve been privileged to see Wendy in action at PSI and work closely with her in my role as the Board Chair. Her heart-centered and help-centered approach to leadership has grown PSI into the leading perinatal mental health non-profit in the world today.  Show Highlights: Alanis’ struggle to balance the people-pleasing life of a celebrity with “the dark swamp of depression” that nobody wanted to see or hear Being a high-achieving perfectionist who is self-reliant and autonomous puts a person at a greater risk for postpartum depression. Figuring out the archetype of “mom” is a lifelong journey. Motherhood brings profound vulnerability–and ALL the past traumas. Alanis’ perspective: What does a struggling mother need the most? To be nurtured Understanding how the 90s rock and roll scene was a strongly patriarchal environment that left Alanis feeling more isolated and less connected Alanis’ role today as the champion of a sisterhood that protects and micromanages on behalf of women The immense value of someone saying, “I see you.” Alanis’ experience with anger, rage, panic attacks, and a loss of identity Tenderness, love, and empowerment in motherhood The elements of support that were most helpful for Alanis: the appropriate medications, finding community, strong relationships, and finding a space of safety to be “broken” (What didn’t help was someone saying, “You’re not alone.”) What we all want: to make postpartum challenges more visible and to normalize the conversations around them “Wholeness over wellness” Alanis’ thoughts on the beauty and purity of being a mother to her children Our immense gratitude for Alanis’ impact as a fierce advocate and champion of PSI’s work and helpful resources Resources: Connect with Alanis Morissette: Find out more about Alanis’ music and events on her Website; follow Alanis on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to better support people for whom they provide services.  You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

It’s no secret that a new baby brings many nuances to a couple’s relationship and family life. The couple relationship dynamics shift and change as new responsibilities have to be prioritized. Planning ahead with open communication can make things easier in every way. Let’s take a closer look in today’s behind-the-sessions episode. Show Highlights: The first few weeks with a new baby: patterns, plans, and problems Sleep issues complicate everything! The communication challenges around different parenting styles, cultural differences, and incorrect assumptions Understanding how resentment builds and creates a rift in the relationship The value of setting aside time for regular daily or weekly check-ins to stay connected The importance of asking for help and giving each other space Planning ahead is the key! Resources: Visit www.postpartum.net for resources and support!  Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

Through the sharing of our stories, we educate ourselves and others about perinatal mental health challenges, and we normalize the fact that we should not feel shame for needing professional help and support. For so many people, shame over what they are experiencing keeps them from admitting the truth of their struggles and reaching out for help and support. We want to change that scenario! Join us for a candid conversation with today’s guest.  Dr. Ellen Chance is a counselor educator and the founder of Whole Counseling and Wellness, a mental health private practice based in Florida. Her practice specializes in women’s and maternal mental health and support through all stages of motherhood, from trying to conceive to beyond the empty nest. Dr. Chance has advanced training in perinatal mental health and is passionate about empowering women and mothers to prioritize their whole wellness, and she works from the belief that all individuals deserve to feel whole: complete, fulfilled, grounded, and connected. Her motivation to serve the perinatal population came from her lived experience with postpartum anxiety and OCD and the shame that kept her from getting the help she needed and deserved.  Show Highlights: Shame drives and perpetuates the symptoms of anxiety and OCD. Ellen’s story of fear and worry dominating her emotions during pregnancy–and dealing with breastfeeding struggles with her newborn Ellen’s experience with concealing how she felt and where her thoughts were going OCD, for Ellen, manifested itself through excessive worry and prevention of every bad thing that could possibly happen to her child—and the shame she felt as a trained mental health professional who could not admit that she needed help Ellen’s fears of opening up, being judged for her compulsive behavior, and burdening someone else with her mental health struggle Is it still intrusive thoughts if they aren’t about harming myself or my baby? Steps that helped Ellen “clear the fog” and start to be herself again Being open, transparent, and vulnerable about postpartum OCD didn’t happen until Ellen volunteered with PSI and started leading support groups. Things that were helpful to Ellen on her healing journey Resources: Connect with Dr. Ellen Chance and Whole Counseling and Wellness: Website, Instagram (Ellen), Instagram (counseling practice), and Facebook Visit www.postpartum.net for resources and support!  Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

It is more common than you might think to experience both anger and rage in the transition to parenthood, and those emotions happen for a variety of reasons and are caused by a multitude of factors. In today’s episode, we are covering all aspects of rage: why it happens, how it happens, what contributes to it, and what to do about it. Join us to learn more! Bianca Sprague, founder of Bebo Mia, has been a dedicated educator, author, activist, and doula since 2007. Passionate about accessible prenatal and postnatal care for marginalized communities, she advocates for mental wellness in families, drawing from her struggle with postpartum depression and family-life experiences. Bianca champions reproductive health and justice, focusing on breaking barriers for female and queer entrepreneurs and restoring joy, equity, and safety in family care through her expertise and innovative approaches. In this episode, we discuss the complex emotions that arise during the transition to parenthood, particularly for those who are under-resourced or experience domestic violence. Bianca explains how societal expectations and gender roles can lead to suppressed anger and rage for many, along with the importance of expressing anger and rage in healthy and productive ways.   Show Highlights: Bianca’s story of rage being the “fuel” for her work over the past 20 years Common issues in new parenthood are anger, frustration, and carrying a heavy emotional load. Bianca’s birth and doula work–and how she saw anger in other families The sources of much rage are a lack of equity at home and the lack of autonomy in the reproductive health journey. Societal pressures to only express “good” emotions Big expressions of anger come from a buildup of ignored emotions. Truth Telling is key! The unhealthy results of suppressing our intuition and emotions Unlearning societal conditioning and finding inner peace Ways to address anger and rage as a result of systemic oppression Using anger and rage to drive activism and create change The importance of acknowledging and processing anger in healthy ways Check out the special resource package available exclusively for Mom & Mind listeners in the Bebo Mia community! Resources: Connect with Bianca Sprague and Bebo Mia: Website, Exclusive resource link for M & M Listeners, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube Visit www.postpartum.net for resources and support!  Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

In today’s Behind the Sessions episode, we focus on the pain and grief that people experience in the infertility and loss journey while trying to become a parent or add another child to their family. While it’s impossible to cover every aspect of this topic in one episode, I want to take a closer look and assure anyone in this situation that they are not alone. Join me for more! Show Highlights: Grief can take many forms, including anger, resentment, and jealousy. The emotional toll (from hormones, the waiting process, etc.) of infertility treatments The layers of complications that come with various reproductive technologies Feeling “partner pressure” is a very real thing, even if it’s self-imposed.  The importance of setting and keeping boundaries with other people The person struggling with infertility needs compassion, support, and a listening ear. A good therapist and support network can help! Resources: Visit www.postpartum.net for resources and support!  Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

Many people don’t realize that a neurodivergent diagnosis in childhood can be a risk factor for perinatal mental health issues later in life. Join us for today’s conversation with Tiffany! Tiffany Engen is a full-time mom of two young children, a survivor of multiple PMADs, a strong advocate for maternal mental health, a full-spectrum doula, a birth photographer, and a certified perinatal educator (PMH-C). Born and raised in California and currently residing in Arizona, Tiffany volunteers as a support coordinator and peer mentor with Postpartum Support International. She shares the difficulties around her childhood diagnosis, the incredibly negative impact of losing a parent during her first pregnancy, and her battle to overcome debilitating intrusive thoughts during her second pregnancy. Looking back on her journey, Tiffany recognizes how she was operating with insufficient support and community that could have made a difference for her.   Show Highlights: Tiffany’s story of childhood neurodivergence, intense medications, and ensuing panic attacks Her struggle to get off medications during her pregnancy and postpartum without the proper tools and coping skills Freedom comes when you fully embrace who you are and acknowledge the differences. Tiffany’s son’s neurodivergence, the loss of her father, and the difficult relationship with her mother Adjusting to intense feelings—without medications to lean on Tiffany’s second pregnancy—and the light switch moment that brought the first intrusive thought Grasping at straws, seeing a shaman, trying to cope with OCD, and having only her brother and a best friend for support The difficulties because of insomnia and paranoia Finding normalization through the support of a Facebook friend Internal suffering while covering it up externally The dilemma in trying to find a doctor who would do more than simply prescribe medications Tiffany’s path to become the helper and support that she needed  Resources: Connect with Tiffany Engen: Website and Instagram Visit www.postpartum.net for resources and support!  Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

“When moms take better care of themselves, they can take better care of others.” This is the message behind Modern Mommy Doc, the creation of Dr. Whitney Casares. She joins us to discuss her wide-ranging work to support new moms in the transition to parenthood and beyond. Join us to learn more! Dr. Whitney Casares is a private practice pediatrician, AAP spokesperson, Medical Review Board Advisor for Prevention Magazine, and the mother of two young girls in Portland, Oregon. She hosts The Modern Mommy Doc Podcast and is the author of several parenting books, including Doing It All: Stop Over-Functioning and Become the Mom and Person You're Meant To Be. Her mission is to help working moms break the cycle of burnout in parenting and shift the focus to their own health and well-being to create a sense of balance that fosters greater joy in every area of their lives. In this episode, Dr. Whitney helps us understand the concept of physical and mental clutter and how to find clarity in life’s priorities with “centered vision.”  Show Highlights: Modern Mommy Doc: the heart of the platform and how it began Understanding how parent wellness and child wellness make a feedback loop A parent’s stress response and the onslaught of conflicting messages from society and social media An overview of Dr. Whitney’s book, Doing It All Dealing with physical AND mental clutter Breaking the cycle of mom guilt and the internalized pressure we put on ourselves The value of practicing “slowing down” techniques (because we are so bad at it!) Ways to bring awareness and gratefulness to each day Organize your life and focus your time and energy by creating a “centered vision” for your life. A closer look at what Modern Mommy Doc has to offer parents Dr. Whitney’s advice for parents: “In the end, the only thing–the only person–you have is you. I love that parents are invested in helping their kids be the best they can be, making their homes hospitable, and getting everything done, but there is a decision that comes very early in parenthood: Are you going to care more about other people than you’re going to care about yourself?” Resources: Connect with Modern Mommy Doc: Website, Instagram, Doing It All book, and LinkedIn Visit www.postpartum.net for resources and support!  Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

Just as a broken bone or surgery takes time for the healing process, the recovery process in healing from a perinatal mental health condition takes time. The process isn’t linear at all but is filled with ups and downs, and it comes with short-term and long-term aspects of healing. Join me for a closer look in today’s episode. Show Highlights: Complicating factors that show up in the healing process have ramifications in life, relationships, and capacity to function. The healing journey does not come with a pre-set timeline. Even helpful medications take 4-6 weeks to reach their full efficacy. An increase in stress, a decrease in sleep, and other disruptions can bring back symptoms. Therapy requires a big-picture view to get through the very normal combination of good days and bad days. It’s okay to ask for help, even if you appear to be “recovered.” Support is key, whether it’s from a partner, family, friends, support group, etc. “Your healing process may mean you slow down and take breaks. Understand your capacity and give yourself grace and space.” Healing doesn’t come through ONE magic thing but is unique to each person and their needs.  Resources: Visit www.postpartum.net for resources and support!  Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

Today’s episode covers an important topic that needs to be addressed as it affects many moms and families. My guest shares her experience of being diagnosed with autism and ADHD later in life, after having her children. She shares how her diagnosis impacted her, what non-stereotypical autism looks like, why self-evaluation is beneficial, and why getting a diagnosis can be a privilege. We will also learn about the role of women’s hormones in autism and ADHD. Join us! Dr. Kiley Hanish is a neurodivergent occupational therapist specializing in mental health during the perinatal period, which includes pregnancy, postpartum, and perinatal loss. She is the founder of Return to Zero: HOPE, a nonprofit organization that provides inclusive and compassionate education and support for bereaved families after pregnancy and infant loss. In addition, they also provide training and support to health providers to foster more competence when working with these families. Because of her personal experience and diagnosis, Dr. Kiley mentors her occupational therapy research group in exploring the sensory experiences of autistic mothers in their everyday lives.   Show Highlights: The beginning (2022), when Kiley’s son was diagnosed with ADHD and she began to realize the scope and meaning of her sensibilities A deep dive into autism in women, and how this research provided a new lens for Kiley to view her life Kiley’s experience with postpartum PTSD after a stillbirth, sensory overload, and chronic fatigue What the facts show: 80% of girls with autism are undiagnosed by age 18 (because of internal symptoms that don’t present themselves in stereotypical behaviors) Co-occurring conditions with neurodivergence that are often passed off as something else The impact of hormone fluctuations on autism and ADHD The need to educate yourself because of the existing gap in women’s healthcare Common challenges for mothers with autism: sleep difficulties, finding time alone to self-regulate, mood/anxiety disorders, and frequent feelings of overwhelm and overstimulation The results of RTZ: HOPE’s survey Resources: Connect with Dr. Kiley Hanish and Return to Zero: HOPE: Website (RTZ), Website (Dr. Kiley), Instagram Resources mentioned in this episode: Unmasking Autism by Devon Price, All Brains Belong, Neurodivergent Insights, Autism and Grief Podcast, Uniquely Human Podcast, and Two Sides of the Spectrum Podcast Visit www.postpartum.net for resources and support!  Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

The grief process can be messy and unpredictable, and it can vary widely from person to person and through the different phases of life. Grief comes up in multiple, unexpected ways in the motherhood journey when you have already lost your mother. Join us to hear a personal story of motherhood and mother loss from today’s guest. Dr. Olivia Wedel is a licensed professional counselor in Texas. After almost 17 years working in the mental health field, Dr. Olivia started her private practice in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area, and she enjoys working with students as a permanent adjunct faculty member in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program at TCU. In addition to postpartum and maternal mental health counseling, she offers non-clinical perinatal support services and postpartum planning for families, psychoeducation and support for parents with children ages 1-3, and community and provider education on perinatal mental health. She is a trained facilitator for the Circle of Security Parenting Intervention Program and is a certified provider for Mother Loss Grief Training.  Show Highlights: Dr. Olivia’s personal experience of motherhood later in life after losing her mom while in her 20s Blindsided at her son’s birth by joy, love, and grief for the loss of her mother Feeling the paradox of motherhood joy and disorienting grief at the same time Common feelings that come up in mothering without a mother “Disenfranchised grief”--what it is and how it manifests itself Feelings that can lead to postpartum anxiety and depression Validating values through Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Managing the motherhood journey without a loving, supportive mother Dr. Olivia’s approach with clients whose mother is still alive–but there is not a healthy, supportive relationship The importance of education and supportive resources for parents The goal is to reduce the stigma and encourage parents and providers to reach out for support. Resources: Connect with Dr. Olivia Wedel: Website, Instagram, and LinkedIn Visit www.postpartum.net for resources and support!  Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

There is more to the story than postpartum depression. There are many complexities to the ways we talk to ourselves. I see perinatal folks give in frequently to thoughts of self-judgment and even self-hatred, which is not at all a healthy scenario for the transition to parenthood. It’s a time when there are many new things to learn and adjustments to make as we become parents. In today’s session, we answer the important question: “Why are we so hard on ourselves?” Show Highlights: Thoughts of shame, guilt, and not being “good enough” Don’t we deserve the objectivity, compassion, and understanding that we would give to a friend? The answer is YES! Our internalized belief systems come from the pressures we experienced early in life in our families. Having a child to care for brings up a lot of feelings about the past and how we were cared for (or not cared for). Therapy support can help develop necessary coping strategies like self-compassion, softness, understanding, validation, and forgiveness. You CAN move forward without the pressure of perfection! Resources: Visit www.postpartum.net for resources and support!  Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

Today’s episode is about a topic that may be unfamiliar to many. My guest shares her journey through her first pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, along with why she chose a very different scenario called free birth to welcome her second child into the world. Join us to learn more! Alexa Ericson shares why she chose a free birth for her second child, what that is, and how that choice worked out for her. She explains how she found comfort through writing and decided to put her experiences into a book–with the hopes of helping other women. Her book of poetry, Motherhood, Disenchanted, covers “adventures into the nitty-gritty, sleep-deprived, chaotic, and sometimes dark thoughts that come fluttering through the early years of mothering.” After back-to-back pregnancies and years of isolated mothering due to her location and lockdowns, she felt a major gap in the discussion around the raw and tough, intimate moments of motherhood. Alexa used her writing as a form of catharsis and a way to work through difficulties. In this conversation, she discusses her marriage, body changes, breastfeeding, anxiety, exhaustion, loss of self, and more. Alexa lives in Fort Collins, Colorado, with her farmer husband and two kids.  Show Highlights: Alexa’s story: how she, as someone with doula training, made her birth plan for her first child (born in 2019) with midwives, a doula, and a home birth The reality of birth in the middle of a big storm, power outage, and a situation that felt out of control Alexa’s overall account of her midwife experience A downhill slide after her baby was born—and she was left with very few options and very little information Alexa’s very difficult intro to motherhood with anxiety and overwhelm Writing: the best lifeline for Alexa Motherhood messaging in our society and on social media–and why real-life experiences don’t usually measure up Alexa’s second pregnancy, when her first son was only 5 months old Free birth–a birth with no medical professionals present Alexa’s second birth story: a healing and peaceful experience with no rules, regulations, regimented prenatal care, or manipulation by medical providers Hear Alexa share two poems from her book! Alexa’s advice to other women: “If you aren’t feeling strong, try writing about it and get those thoughts out. It can help to put them on paper.” Resources: Connect with Alexa Ericson: Website, Instagram, and Motherhood, Disenchanted book Visit www.postpartum.net for resources and support!  Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

Postpartum psychosis is often misunderstood and mischaracterized. It is important to humanize this condition, remove the stigma around it, and let people know that treatment is available and healing is possible. In today’s show, we get a rare glimpse into the life of a family through the eyes of both a husband and wife about their journey through postpartum psychosis. Join us to learn more! Derek Winkler is a software engineering manager, father of two (Kerri-almost 4, and Robbie-6 months), and husband to Rowena. Derek shares his perspective of what he experienced as a husband and father and what kind of support he needed.  Dr. Rowena Winkler is a career and empowerment coach who helps high achievers unlock their academic genius and gain clarity in their jobs, businesses, and lives through the power of communication. Using her Ph.D. in Communications, along with mystical modalities such as astrology, human design, and Tarot, Dr. Rowena’s coaching method enables clients to tap into self-love and bold confidence to get unstuck and make a change. Rowena shares what postpartum psychosis was like for her from the start, through her hospitalization, and integrating back home.  Show Highlights: How postpartum psychosis occurred after Rowena’s second pregnancy with their son in 2023 after a completely normal postpartum experience in 2020 (when their daughter was born) How Derek noticed Rowena’s anxiety issues when their son was born, along with sleep deprivation and hypervigilance How Rowena’s condition escalated, Derek noticed several red flags that were concerning and called 911 when their son was 2-3 weeks old How Rowena felt herself slipping from reality–like she didn’t “have full ownership” of her body How things progressed until Derek contacted 911 through a text, police officers and a mental health professional (from Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center) arrived, and Rowena went to the ER What Rowena remembers about her paranoia in arriving and being admitted to the hospital (one day in the ER and 10 days in a psychiatric unit) Why she needed a second hospitalization after her initial discharge and return home How the healing process takes time after a severe mental health crisis How an outpatient hospital program helped Rowena learn helpful coping strategies Why our medical care system isn’t set up for sufficient family support after a psychiatric hospitalization How PSI, therapy, and medications helped Derek in his caregiving role in being a supportive and understanding partner How Rowena is coping today with new tools to use in starting a new job and being a wife and mother Rowena’s takeaways: “Those of us who have been through this and have made it to the other side are here to help, support, and share that you are not alone. You can get through this.” Derek’s takeaways: “It is the silver lining around a very dark cloud that we are able to share our story and help people learn about this condition. It is very difficult, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. Postpartum psychosis is very treatable. If you are going through this, please reach out for help.” Resources: Visit www.postpartum.net for resources and support!  Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today! Connect with Dr. Rowena Winkler: Website, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and YouTube

We can all agree that the transition to parenthood is huge and multi-faceted. For many parents, that transition feels like not just a big change but a monumental loss. It’s a loss of what once was and the life you had grown accustomed to in your pre-baby world. There are a lot of changes around the freedom and flexibility you once enjoyed, and essentially every area of life is affected. Things are different in your world regarding your attention and energy, as well. Join me in today’s Behind the Sessions look at why this transition feels like a loss–and what you can do about it. Show Highlights: Why it is perfectly acceptable to experience a mixed bag of feelings about parenthood—and each of those feelings should be acknowledged and validated How acknowledging the huge changes within the context of life is an important step (Yes, things change, but exciting things are happening, also!) How to handle outside pressure and negative parenthood experiences from others Why people see a therapist for support and validation when they experience these kinds of identity shifts Dr. Kat’s takeaways: “Whatever mixture of feelings and experiences play into your transition into parenting, it’s okay. It might not always feel good, and it might be confusing, but it’s totally part of the process as you are shifting and changing. Life is changing, and it’s normal to have feelings about that.”  Resources: Visit www.postpartum.net for resources and support!  Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

I’m joined today by Emma Hopkins, a mom and business owner in the UK. At age 39, Emma became a first-time mother and experienced postpartum depression to the point that her entire life, identity, and livelihood changed. She walks us through the tough decision to give up the business that was her heart and soul to prioritize her basic survival. She finally found healing, reconnected with herself, embraced her new role as a mother, and built a new business based on her experience and education. Today she coaches other women who feel a lost sense of identity by helping them rediscover themselves, and she works as a champion advocate with the Maternal Mental Health Alliance in the UK.  Show Highlights: Emma’s story of business ownership in the health and wellness space in Spain and the UK until motherhood at age 39 changed everything Emma’s rude introduction to motherhood, which included severe sleeplessness, complete burnout, and full-blown postpartum depression How she was forced to sell her beloved business–and lose her sense of identity in the process What Emma wishes she had done differently How the UK’s “health visitors” system left Emma feeling judged, tested, and failing How Emma grieved for the person she was and the success and identity she lost How she finally realized and admitted that she had postpartum depression How the COVID-19 lockdown actually helped Emma connect and communicate with people again and gave her what she was missing How Emma’s supportive husband and her daily walks helped her immensely Why Emma began working with the Maternal Mental Health Alliance in the UK and has become a passionate champion to build awareness around maternal mental health Resources: Connect with Emma Hopkins: Website, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Maternal Mental Health Alliance (for UK listeners) Visit www.postpartum.net for resources and support!  Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

Today’s conversation is about interpersonal therapy (IPT). You’ll learn what IPT is, how it differs from other therapies, and why it is a validated therapy that is well-suited for the perinatal population. Many more clinicians should seek training in this therapy modality which is full of useful tools and skills. Join us to learn more! Elyse Springer is a longtime colleague and friend with much knowledge about supporting people in their perinatal mental health. She is a current board member for Postpartum Support International’s California chapter and serves as the Policy and Advocacy Chair. She is an emeritus Governing Council member for Maternal Mental Health NOW; she served an eight-year term and continues to provide ongoing training for the organization. She served as a board member of the national maternal mental health policy and advocacy group 2020 Mom Project from 2014-2019, and subsequently sat on the organization’s clinical advisory panel through 2021. In addition, Elyse is a training faculty and emeritus board member for the national perinatal loss organization Return to Zero: HOPE and training faculty for the paternal perinatal non-profit Love, Dad. Elyse is certified in perinatal mental health, and she is an EMDRIA-approved therapist and consultant, certified in Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) by the IPT Institute, and an IPT supervisor-in-training. She lives and works in Los Angeles, California.  Show Highlights: What is interpersonal therapy (IPT)? Why the goal of IPT is to ensure social support—and how this is accomplished How IPT can help with specific relationship needs in the perinatal period Three main areas of focus in IPT: grief/loss, role transition, and interpersonal disputes Examples of how Elyse might work with a couple around role transitions in the perinatal period What we should realize about decolonizing mental health and focusing on collaborative approaches of social support within a person’s culture How problem-solving and role-playing are done within the IPT model How IPT focuses on experiences, goals, and positive communication How IPT sessions are structured as a 12-session model with periodic check-ins to follow up Where to go for IPT training: IPT Institute Resources: Connect with Elyse Springer: Website and Instagram Visit www.postpartum.net for resources and support!  Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

There are a lot of dynamics at play in becoming a parent, and that is an understatement, to say the least! Often overlooked are the needed conversations around new boundaries, tasks, and the “invisible labor” that a new baby brings. These discussions are vital in protecting the relationship between partners and making the postpartum period more enjoyable for both parents. Today’s episode focuses on the mental and emotional labor that a mom most often takes on in the partnership–and I’m referring primarily to heterosexual couples in this all-too-common scenario.  Show Highlights: How resentment can start to build and negatively impact the couple’s relationship How a therapist will approach the issue with one individual–as opposed to couples’ therapy, which is ideal Different scenarios common in a partnership after a new baby arrives that lead to stress, depression, anxiety, loneliness, and more Why therapy for both partners can be extremely helpful, either individually or as a couple Why communication around boundaries, tasks, and “invisible labor” is important Why the divorce rate during the perinatal period is higher (67% of couples experience marital dissatisfaction during this time!) What you can do to be proactive and protect your relationship as you prepare for a new baby Resources: Visit www.postpartum.net for resources and support!  Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

Today’s show brings back a guest from years ago, and I’m excited to reconnect with her and hear updates about her life and work. She’s a lovely human and a beautiful soul who is doing meaningful work that helps many people. Join us!  Nkem Ndefo is the founder of Lumos Transforms and the creator of The Resilience Toolkit, a model that promotes embodied self-awareness and self-regulation in an ecologically sensitive framework and social justice context. Originally licensed as a nurse midwife, Nkem has extensive postgraduate training in complementary health modalities and emotional therapies. She has worked in a lot of settings from large-volume hospitals to mobile community clinics, and she brings years of expertise as a clinician, educator, researcher, and community strategist. She works in programs that address trauma inequity as she seeks to build resilience and shape liberatory change for individuals and organizations throughout the US and internationally. Her particular interest is in working alongside people most impacted by violence and marginalization, and she does important work in the birth community. We are discussing how systems are related to trauma and mental health, along with how systems impact birthing people and the healthcare providers in the birthing community.  Show Highlights: An overview of Nkem’s broad scope of work around healing and liberation Why we need systems that facilitate healing on the individual AND community levels What it means to be trauma-informed in the realm of reproductive health and mental health Why our healthcare system MUST recognize the need for trauma-informed approaches for birth workers How we can change the systems with little steps—one at a time What Nkem sees as the leading factors in why people are resistant to change How tools and intention can grow our capacity to recognize overwhelm and activate boundaries around things that cause stress How many different kinds of traumas contribute to mental health diagnoses Why most of our trauma healing efforts in the current medical model fall short How inadequate parental leave within the current system kicks off a cascade of mental health effects Why doulas are NOT the solution or the fix to the broken system Why we need to be courageous with our hopes and dreams of changing the broken system An overview of Lumos Transforms and The Resilience Toolkit Resources: Connect with Nkem Ndefo and Lumos Transforms: Website, Instagram, X, and The Resilience Toolkit Visit www.postpartum.net for resources and support!  Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

My guest today is doing important work with perinatal mental health through psychodynamic and somatic therapy. There is a great need for this therapeutic modality to be available to people who need it and for more training to be accessible to care providers. Join us to learn more! Dr. Helena Vissing is a licensed psychologist certified in perinatal mental health as a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner. She is experienced as an adjunct faculty member and on the training committee of Maternal Mental Health NOW where she provides consultations and helps train providers. Helena has written a book on her biopsychosocial model for the treatment of trauma in the perinatal period published with Routledge and titled, Somatic Maternal Healing: Psychodynamic and Somatic Trauma Treatment for Perinatal Mental Health.  Show Highlights: Why the perinatal period is a time of the clashing of biology and culture because of the vast changes to the body and nervous system How Dr. Helena’s integrative treatment model combines somatic approaches with psychoanalytic tools How Dr. Helena explains the basics of somatic therapy (aka somatic psychology or body psychotherapy) How Dr. Helena explains the basics of psychodynamic therapy How Dr. Helena’s book addresses trauma in the perinatal period with a broader concept beyond just PTSD How the perinatal period is an opportunity for a parent to rework their relationships, along with their role and identity Important principles around nervous system regulation in the perinatal period Why sensory awareness is the starting point—and only happens when a person slows down How Dr. Helena explains “maternal body fullness” How trauma healing occurs when the tendency is avoidance Dr. Helena’s message of hope: “It is possible to heal. Healing is not easy and may take a while, but it is possible.” Resources: Connect with Dr. Helena Vissing: Website, Book,  and Instagram Visit www.postpartum.net for resources and support!  Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

Becoming a parent can bring intense anxiety and high levels of worry about doing the right thing for your child. Some people have feelings of failure in meeting some high level of expectation that they have of themselves. I always wonder in therapy what has contributed to a person’s suffering in this way, and, as a therapist, I want to dig deeper into why this style of hyper-independence and hyperfunctioning at all costs is activated when some people become parents. Let’s dig deeper in today’s Behind-the-Sessions episode. Show Highlights: How hyper-independence can show up because of childhood events in which someone experiences emotional neglect How being independent, not burdening anyone by asking for help, and relying only on oneself can be magnified in the postpartum Why the pressure to be perfect can lead to high anxiety and even depression in the presence of impossibly high standards Why asking for help and admitting that you aren’t perfect can alleviate the stress, overwhelm, and constant energy drain that a hyper-independent parent might feel How a perinatal mental health professional can help someone manage these dynamics Dr. Kat’s advice for hyperfunctioning parents: “Have compassionate support for yourself, try to be flexible in understanding that it’s okay to ask for help, and prioritize your sleep, rest, and self-care.” Resources: Visit www.postpartum.net for resources and support!  Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!