Mom and Mind

269: Dr. Kat's Postpartum Story - Interviewed by Karen Kleiman

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Today is a very special episode because I not only have the pleasure of hosting this podcast, but I am also the guest. Yes, that's right! Today, in honor of Maternal Mental Health Month, I'm opening up my heart and sharing my postpartum story with you once again; I last told my story way back in Episode 1 in June 2016. I want all of you who know me as Dr. Kat professionally to understand why I am so deeply passionate about the cause of maternal mental health. Join us now!

Karen Kleiman is a well-known international maternal mental-health expert with over 35 years of experience. As an advocate and author of several groundbreaking books on postpartum depression and anxiety, her work has been featured on the internet and within the mental health community for decades. In 1988, Karen founded The Postpartum Stress Center, a treatment and training facility for prenatal and postpartum depression and anxiety.

Katayune Kaeni, Psy.D. PMH-C, “Dr. Kat,” is a perinatal mental health-certified psychologist, author of The Pregnancy Workbook: Manage Anxiety and Worry with CBT and Mindfulness Techniques, and host of the Mom & Mind Podcast, covering personal stories and expert interviews related to perinatal mental health. She is also the board chair of Postpartum Support International, an organization whose mission is to promote awareness, prevention, and treatment of mental health issues related to childbearing in every country worldwide. Dr. Kat began specializing in perinatal mental health after her own experience with postpartum depression, anxiety, and OCD over 12 years ago. Dr. Kat continues to work virtually with clients across California. 

Show Highlights:

  • How Dr. Kat’s first pregnancy, even though planned and easy, resulted in a long, difficult labor that jump-started postpartum depression, anxiety, and OCD
  • Why new moms struggle to know what’s normal, not normal, too much, or not enough
  • How feeling inadequate and incompetent as a new mom was part of Dr. Kat’s anxiety and her battle with perfectionism
  • How she felt alone and disconnected even from her husband, and NO ONE knew what was happening on the inside
  • How scary intrusive thoughts put her in emotional turmoil
  • Why shame and stigma are greater for mental health professionals–and will silence them at times
  • How Dr. Kat carried on her therapy work with clients as the depression grew, making her feel trapped, exhausted, embarrassed, and confused
  • How finally taking the PHQ-9 depression screening test for herself finally opened her eyes to the truth of what she was going through
  • How she shut down even with her therapist and turned to a naturopathic physician, acupuncture, and other healing alternatives
  • Why therapists MUST address the suffering client in front of them with curiosity and questions
  • Why Dr. Kat is so deeply driven to help other moms break through and find the help and support to know that THEY WILL BE OK

    • Resources:

    Connect with Karen: Website, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Book: Good Moms Have Scary Thoughts and LinkedIn

    Check out Karen Kleiman’s other books: Website and Amazon

    Visit www.postpartum.net for resources and support! 

    Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.  

    Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

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    Mom and MindBy Katayune Kaeni, Psy.D., PMH-C
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