Mental Health Challenges

During a menstrual cycle, your body undergoes hormonal changes that can impact your mental health. These changes may increase tenfold when you become pregnant and during the postpartum phase. 

 

For example, the pregnancy hormone hCG can cause morning sickness, breast pain, and/or hypersensitive emotions. Depending on which symptoms you experience, you may have new physical strengths and limitations—plus sexual needs and desires.

 

When you don’t have the right support for these changes, your body’s central nervous system can become overwhelmed. As your therapist, I can help you develop a solid self-care regime and basic understanding of your hormones so you can feel more relaxed and focused throughout the perinatal stage.

 

Self Care

The topic of self-care often comes up during sessions with pregnant or postpartum women. We’re taught from a very young age to prioritize the needs and emotions of others–often above our own mental health. As a result, your own well-being may rank lower than other items on the priority list while getting ready for parenthood.

 

During therapy, we’ll discuss your pregnancy symptoms (or menstrual cycle) so we can find a self-care regime that best works for you. We’ll address any questions you have about the perinatal stage of life, including how your self-care routines can change throughout.

 

Body Image

During pregnancy, your body goes through significant physical changes that others in the world can see. Fatphobia is still widespread in American society and women often report derogatory remarks about their body during the perinatal time, leading to self-esteem issues. Addressing this topic in therapy can help you stop these issues from becoming lifelong struggles.

 

In my practice, I aim to create an affirmative space with a focus on nourishment. It’s time to fill your cup and rejuvenate your mind, body, and soul. That way, you can become your best self, make the necessary judgment calls, navigate through any challenges, and care for others. Your body is creating new life—and that’s beautiful.

 

Careers and Finances

Modern moms often return to their careers after giving birth. In my practice, I’ve seen moms handle their new parenting responsibilities and shifting identities in many different ways. For some, going back to work is thrilling—it provides a much-needed break from the changes at home and restores a sense of normalcy to their lives. They prefer separating their “at-work” and “at home” identities so they can feel more present in both arenas.

 

Other new moms, however, discover their priorities taking a 180-turn from their expectations. As they yearn to be home with their baby, going  to work becomes a source of emotional pain instead of fulfillment. Both these experiences are valid and often can’t be known until you’re in the throes of postpartum. Many related concern may come up during the perinatal phase, including:

• How does reaching the end of maternity leave feel?

• What are my family’s financial needs?

• If I return to work, who will take care of my children?

• Will I need to reserve funds for child care?

As your therapist, I can help you navigate these questions and unpack any emotions you may feel about answering them.

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Partner Intimacy 

After the baby arrives, your relationship with your partner often changes. You both have new roles to fulfill—for your child and each other. New time restraints as well as physical and mental changes may also alter your sexual relationship. If these changes aren’t brought to light, the transition between pregnancy and postpartum can become fraught.

 

I can help you (and your partner) navigate any issues with intimacy. We’ll discuss how to best prioritize intimacy in your life and what’s happening in your bodies to best support desire, arousal, orgasm, etc.. By learning how to communicate with empathy and thoughtlessness, you can strengthen your physical and emotional relationship for years to come.

 

Parenting Styles

Depending on their childhood circumstances, some clients have reservations about trusting their parents with the grandparent role. To protect their child—and prevent cycles of abuse, neglect, or related traumas from repeating—they may want to set new boundaries with their own parents. During therapy, we can talk about how these cycles develop and identify which ones may have been present during your (or your partner’s) upbringing.

 

You have the power to change any maladaptive intergenerational patterns for your child so they can enter the world confidently, knowing they’ll always have your support. After unpacking your childhood, we’ll discover your own preferred parenting style. We may also brainstorm practical, positive solutions to any challenge that arise during your parenting journey.

 

Division of Labor

After bringing home a baby, one parent may perform more care-taking responsibilities than the other. Most often, this parent is the mother. Throughout the last century of American history, moms have been expected to handle things at home, while the dad brings home the bread. Even though both partners often have careers in today’s world, moms are still expected to handle things perfectly in both arenas.

 

When this situation — often called “the default parent dilemma” — emerges in a family, it’s often as a result of unconscious bias. I can provide a non-judgmental space for families to examine these assumptions about gender roles, and unpack resulting emotions. Together, we’ll discover a division of labor that works best for your family’s needs.