Pregnancy, childbirth and parenthood are some of the most extraordinary experiences of a lifetime.  But we often don't talk about how emotionally, physically and mentally draining these experiences are. While there may be many precious moments of joy, they are also accompanied by feelings of fear, confusion, grief and anger. Women still often bear the full burden of many unrecognized responsibilities and expectations, living in a culture that still tells them they need to be and do it all.  It's no surprise that many moms secretly worry that they are just not measuring up.  Add postpartum mental illness to the picture and daily life can feel even more overwhelming and impossible to manage.

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The truth is that anyone, regardless of economic, ethnic or personal background, can be struck with postpartum anxiety and depression, including fathers and non-biological parents.  It often catches families by surprise.   In fact, recent studies indicate that as many as 1 in 7 women experiences PPD.  Experiencing these debilitating symptoms while trying to care for an infant can make each day feel like you are swimming upstream, fighting a strong current that is pushing you down. Without the right support and education, symptoms can worsen and sometimes become serious.

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        It doesn't have to be this lonely or hard.  Therapy will be where we begin to take care of and hold space for YOU.  We will explore how pregnancy and motherhood have impacted your life and identity and I will gently encourage you to share your unfiltered experience.  Perhaps your struggles are actually a very normal reaction to the profound adjustments of parenthood in a society that does not support parents enough.  Perhaps your symptoms are also a sign of postpartum illness.   My perinatal training experience will help us to quickly discern what direction we need to go in to help you to feel better.   Because it takes a village to support a family, I try to collaborate closely with partners, lactation consultants, pediatricians, OB GYNs and other involved providers.

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