The Therapy Process
1. Connecting & Treatment Planning
Warmth and connecting with others on a human level is the foundation I work from. We will begin sessions with getting to know each other, what brings you in, your current symptoms, and your background. I will partner with you to envision your goals and create a map forward, geared toward your specific needs.
2. Grounding & Stabilization
In the initial working phase, we focus on grounding and stabilization. You will learn tangible tools to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression and feel more centered. We will learn how to quiet the internal chaos and increase confidence in your ability to handle this chapter of your life.
3. Processing Trauma, Grief & Guilt
Most mothers experience some form of trauma, grief, and/or guilt during the process of becoming a mom. As we progress in therapy, we’ll work through these difficult emotions and experiences that detract from the joy of motherhood. This stage may involve EMDR, a highly effective trauma recovery therapy.
4. Getting Your Needs Met
From the work that I do, I know that moms often feel under-supported, overstretched, and unappreciated. The aftermath of this often looks like outbursts of rage or increased anxiety or depression. You will first learn to slow down and understand what your individual needs even are as a new mom. You will then learn how to be proactively assertive, get those needs met, and own space in a healthy way.
5. Implementing Lasting Change
The final phase focuses on creating sustainable changes that allow you to feel in control of your life and empowered to move forward. Clients typically leave therapy with a large tool bag, decreased negative emotions, and an increased confidence in their ability to handle challenges that might come up in the future.
Areas of Focus
BIRTH TRAUMA & MEDICAL TRAUMA
Let's face it, the process of birth isn't always beautiful. It's often ugly, hard and terrifying. On top of that, so much can go wrong with bringing a new life into the world. Pregnancy and childbirth can even be life threatening. Trauma comes in many shapes and sizes. As a mama who has experienced having a baby born with medical problems, I understand this unique nightmare and all that comes with it. You'll learn to tame and quiet tough memories so they are manageable.
PREVIOUS TRAUMA IMPACTING PARENTING
The whole process of becoming a mother is violating. The poking and prodding, physical exposure, breastfeeding and everything in-between can bring up past violations in a new way. Sometimes it can detract from feeling close to your baby or even manifest itself as rage. These intense feelings of shame and disgust are not something you have to suffer alone with. You will be able to process through the hardships you've gone through and make space for more joy in parenting.
PERINATAL MOOD & ANXIETY DISORDERS
Around 20% of pregnant women and new mothers experience clinical anxiety and/or depression. Our bodies are going through a lot and sometimes this stage of life is honestly disappointing and downright arduous. Others often tell us to "enjoy this time" which can escalate guilt when you're just trying to survive and feeling anything but the "warm fuzzies". You’ll learn coping skills that can help you manage challenges that come with pregnancy and motherhood.
GRIEF & LOSS
Grief is so much a part of motherhood but is often not talked about. Most women go through a processing of grieving life before children. Some moms don't bring home a healthy baby or a live baby. Loss occurs in about 20% of pregnancies and is often more devastating than expected. Some mothers find themselves on the adoption or surrogacy route after years of trying to conceive. Heartbreaks like these can feel isolating, like no one truly understands the weight of your experience. You will find a soft landing space to process your grief and loss.
RELATIONSHIP DIFFICULTIES
Having a baby changes relationships. We hear this from everyone and we usually try to prepare for this. Sometimes they change things in some shocking and difficult ways though. I believe it takes a village and when there are problems in the village, we can't be our best selves. Through individual session and occasional couples and/or family sessions, you can learn to resolve conflict and get your needs met.
EMDR Therapy
As an EMDR Certified Therapist, I specialize in helping clients heal from trauma. EMDR Therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a psychotherapy approach designed to help individuals process and heal from traumatic experiences or distressing memories. By using guided eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation, EMDR helps the brain reprocess emotional responses connected to these memories, reducing their emotional intensity. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR focuses less on discussing the traumatic event and more on reshaping the way the brain stores and responds to it. It's a highly researched form of therapy and has been proven especially effective for treating PTSD, anxiety, and other trauma-related conditions.