Pregnancy: The anticipation and excitement of pregnancy can be a time of joy and wonder, but it can also bring about feelings of anxiety, fear, and uncertainty. You’re pregnant! But concerns about health and wellness and worries about the future can make pregnancy a rollercoaster of emotions for expectant parents. Additionally, issues such as body image changes, identity questions, and relationship dynamics may surface during this time, making the experience feel stressful and confusing. Working through these feelings during pregnancy can help your whole self prepare for the transition in a healthy and authentic way.

Loss: As many of us know, not all pregnancies result in the expected joy of welcoming a new life. Experiencing pregnancy loss, whether through miscarriage, adoption challenges, stillbirth, or termination, can be devastating. Grief, guilt, and a sense of profound loss are common reactions, and navigating these emotions can be incredibly challenging. Seeking support during this time is essential for processing grief and finding ways to cope with the emotional aftermath of loss.

Infertility: For those struggling to conceive, the journey of infertility can be marked by frustration, disappointment, and profound sadness. The longing for a child coupled with the inability to conceive can take a significant toll on mental health. Feelings of inadequacy, shame, and isolation are common among individuals and couples facing infertility. Otherwise celebratory events like weddings, baby showers, and birthday parties can feel heavy and sad. Working on these complex feelings in therapy can help you find support and understand and work through your emotions.

Adoption: Embarking on the journey of adoption is a beautiful and life-changing decision, filled with hope, anticipation, and love. However, it can also bring about a unique set of emotional challenges and adjustments. Whether you're navigating the complexities of the adoption process, adjusting to the new dynamics of parenthood, or grappling with feelings of loss and longing, know that support is available. In therapy, we explore your emotions, process any grief or uncertainty, and develop coping strategies to thrive with strength and resilience as an adoptive parent.

Traumatic birth experiences: After a traumatic birth experience, therapy can help parents process complex emotions and rebuild resilience. In therapy, I would help you explore your fear, guilt, or grief, gaining insight into the impact of how your birthing experience may be affecting your mental health and relationships. I use CBT and EMDR to navigate trauma symptoms such as flashbacks, anxiety, or postpartum depression, fostering healing and empowering mothers to reclaim agency over your narrative.

Parenthood Challenges: “Enjoy these years- they’ll fly by!” can sometimes feel hard to believe. When we become parents, we often find ourselves feeling sleep deprived, wondering who we are, struggling to connect with our loved ones, worrying about what we can’t control, and experiencing a general sense of overwhelm. Moreover, navigating the complexities of parenting styles, discipline, and family dynamics can strain relationships and contribute to feelings of stress and inadequacy in partnerships. Therapy can offer a supportive environment for parents to explore these challenges, develop effective parenting strategies, and strengthen their bond with their children and partners.