Maternal Mental Health
Sound Familiar?
- Irritability
- Anger
- Resentment
- Intrusive, scary thoughts
- Fatigue
- Feelings of being overwhelmed
- Feelings of failure or inadequacy
- Loss of intimacy
- Feelings of isolation
- Difficulty with sleep
- Boredom
- Feeling out-of-control
Help is available.
Depression, anxiety, irritability, mood swings, or general feelings of being overwhelmed can trigger both physical and emotional symptoms. These challenges directly impact self-confidence, strain relationships, and undermine overall well-being.
- It doesn’t have to be this difficult.
- It doesn’t have to take so long to get on track and become the parent you want to be.
- You are not alone.
- It isn't your fault.
- These symptoms are common.
- Effective and safe treatments are available.
- Good moms have these feelings.
What if my symptoms are something more?
We’ve got you covered.
Know your risk:
- Currently unmanaged depression, anxiety, or other mood disorders (such as bipolar disorder, OCD, PTSD, etc.)
- Struggling with hormonal fluctuations, especially before your period
Psychotherapy for Perinatal Mental Health
Psychotherapy plays a crucial role in maternal mental health care. By incorporating various modalities—such as cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, solution-focused therapy, mindfulness, motivational interviewing, and person-centered care—you can tailor the approach to your unique needs. This personalized care helps you better understand and manage your emotional, relational, and behavioral challenges.We’ll work together closely to set the priorities, goals, and strategies for treatment.
When necessary, trauma-focused modalities will be integrated with evidence-based Brainspotting to address and heal trauma.
You are also encouraged to schedule anticipatory sessions at any time during your parenting journey to prepare for challenges and strengthen your skills.
These services are available through a maternal mental health telehealth platform for clients in North Carolina and Virginia.
Medications During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
The mother’s mental health is the most important determinant of both maternal and fetal well-being.
While medications are ideally avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding, there are times when they may be necessary or advisable. With advanced psychopharmacology training, we prescribe medications with careful consideration of safety, efficacy, and tolerability for both mother and baby. Medication appointments can be scheduled alongside or separately from psychotherapy and are available to mothers experiencing postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, bipolar disorder, OCD, PTSD, insomnia, and other perinatal mental health conditions in North Carolina and Virginia.
The greatest risk for MOM AND BABY is for the mom to suffer from untreated mental illness.
CONDITIONS
Pregnancy and postpartum are often when mood symptoms commonly arise.
Pregnancy and postpartum are often when mood symptoms commonly arise.
Answers to Your Questions about Mental Healthcare
General Mental Health Basics
We offer both as my schedule allows. In general, we have more availability for medication appointments. If you are interested in both and our therapy slots are full, we will help you connect with another therapist while we manage your medication.
This will be determined during your intake appointment. Brief appointments are ideal for time-limited specific concerns or for clients who are stable and transitioning out of recurring therapy or have already been in recurring therapy in the past. It is also helpful for clients who have challenging schedules or financial concerns that do not accommodate recurring therapy.
No! we see young adults and young-at-heart adults from diverse backgrounds. We have additional training and experience working with the college health and perinatal mental health populations but you do not have to identify with those groups to receive care.
We do not at this time.
Depression, anxiety, social anxiety, OCD, PTSD, bipolar disorder, ADHD (with non-stimulants only)
No. Our services are offered predominantly through telehealth and I do not prescribe any controlled substances.
Yes. Clients who live locally, may request an in-person appointment.
Yes. We know how challenging juggling all these responsibilities can be and we will make a plan that will help you succeed all aspects of your life-including academic life.
Maternal Mental Health Basics
Perinatal refers to the period of pregnancy and one year after childbirth. Because we know that mood and anxiety symptoms can occur at any time during the reproductive years, we find maternal mental health to be a better term to describe what we treat but both are often used interchangeably. Some moms don’t seek care until their kids are already in school, and they are welcome too! And for many moms, their symptoms start before they ever consider pregnancy.
We welcome clients dealing with the difficulties of pregnancy preparation, childbirth, adoption, pregnancy loss, and early parenting in whatever time-frame is meaningful and necessary to them.
For patients receiving medication management, we send a treatment summary letter after every medication adjustment. Additionally, your obstetrician is welcome and encouraged to consult with us as needed.
PMADs (perinatal mood and anxiety disorders) include depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, psychosis, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and insomnia.
Depression, anxiety, social anxiety, OCD, PTSD, bipolar disorder, ADHD (with non-stimulants only)
No. Our services are offered predominantly through telehealth and we do not prescribe any controlled substances.
Yes. Clients who live locally, may request an in-person appointment.
Yes. we know how challenging juggling all these responsibilities can be and we will make a plan that will help you succeed all aspects of your life-including academic life.
What to expect for Virtual Appointments
Yes, in order to provide effective care, we must be able to see you. You are not required to use your camera for asynchronous classes.
No, you will need to reschedule. Please be aware there is a cancellation fee for appointments not cancelled within 24 hours.
The best feature of having a virtual appointment option is the convenience! Come as you are, baby drool, messy house, and all. You must be clothed (shirts required, and you may not be using mind altering substances during your appointment.
You will be able to access your appointment from any device with internet and a camera. Due to state licensing regulations, you must be in NC or VA at the time of your appointment. Please try to give yourself a quiet and private place. (Some patients find their vehicles (parked-not driving!) or bathroom to be great escape locations for their appointment.
Practice Policies for clients seeking 1-on-1mental healthcare
Yes, we will collaborate with your individual therapist.
No. Due to the boundaries established by the DEA system, providers cannot prescribe controlled substances to patients they have not initially seen in person. It is anticipated that the COVID pandemic exception will expire. That said, we have many modalities that are safe and effective and provide a long-term solutions so that controlled substances may not be necessary. We are committed to helping patients connect with their best-selves (which involves the courageous exploration of a values-driven life, rather than avoidance and symptom management).
Yes. Please plan to sign a release of information so we can communicate with your medication provider as needed.