Therapy and Supports for New and Expecting Parents

---

Are you trying to conceive, are you pregnant, or are you transitioning into life as a parent? Have you experienced a pregnancy loss or have you experienced birth trauma? The journey to parenthood and postpartum life is full of highs and lows. It is very common for women and partners to experience challenges during this time. Did you know that 1 in 7 women experience Postpartum Depression (PPD), and 1 in 5 experience Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs)? Dads and partners experience PPD and PMADs too (about 10%)! The first year after welcoming a new child is a huge transition and life change. Maybe you are not feeling like yourself or you feel lost or scared. Whether you are facing challenges with getting pregnant or during pregnancy, have experienced a loss, or are facing postpartum complications such as postpartum depression or anxiety, postpartum OCD, or other postpartum mood disorders, I am here to help and offer therapy for new parents, as well as expecting parents. As a mom, and professional with specialized training in treating perinatal mental health, I am especially passionate about this work. I offer individual and couples therapy, and welcome you to bring your newborn to sessions if needed, as I know how difficult it can be to find someone to watch baby. I also offer virtual sessions since I know finding time to leave baby can be difficult. 

  With the primary focus during pregnancy being on mom and baby’s physical health, anyone who has had a baby has likely been encouraged to take a birthing course or baby care readiness course. Yet few expecting parents are encouraged to explore and prepare for how having a baby may impact their mental health, individual identity, relationship with their partner, other children (if they have any), connection with friends, and their overall, everyday life.  Convenient and at your own pace, this video learning series was created to do just that. 

Alex and her friend and colleague Sasha created this program after feeling unprepared for their own transitions to parenthood. Their mission is to help as many new and expecting parents as they can so that they hopefully do not have to go through some of the challenges that many have gone through by better Preparing4Baby.

What you will learn in this series:

• You will learn about how your mental health may be impacted by becoming parents and protective factors you can put into place to reduce the chances of Postpartum Depression or another Perinatal Mood or Anxiety Disorder.
• You will learn about how to integrate your self before baby into your new role as a mother or father, without loosing yourself in the process. 
• You will learn ways to stay connected or get reconnected to your partner,  useful communication and conflict resolution skills, and understand ways to better manage stress and stick together, instead of turning against each other. 

Parent coaching focuses on supporting new parents in managing any initial challenges that may arise in becoming parents. Although becoming a parent comes with many beautiful moments, it can also be a time of fear, insecurity, and challenges in how to parent and co-parent with your partner.  In these sessions you will learn skills specific to the transition to parenthood, parenting infants and toddlers, and problem solving specific scenarios that are present in your life to help you feel more equipped as a parent. These sessions can be taken individually or as a couple. 

Stay tuned for some exciting new counseling programs that are currently under development!