Today’s episode focuses on EMDR, what it is, and how it can help struggling moms shift their mindsets at the root of trauma. We are discussing EMDR intensives, including how to assess your readiness for this type of healing, and how it differs from typical talk therapy. Join us to learn more!

Amity Olson, LCSW, has been providing individual and group therapy since 2008. Her clinical work focuses on helping adults heal from trauma through evidence-based techniques. She owns Olson Counseling Services and currently works with mothers who are struggling to manage and navigate unrealistic expectations. Amity loves to “nerd out” on administrative tasks and recently began offering budgeting services for solo practitioners in private practice through Practice Desk x OCS. She is an EMDR-certified therapist, a member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers, and a member of the Academy of Food Allergy Counseling. Outside of work, Amity is an avid Green Bay Packers fan and a mom struggling to survive her child’s senior year of high school. She is licensed to practice in Delaware, Florida, Iowa, and Wisconsin. 

Show Highlights:

A basic understanding of EMDR, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, and how it helps the mind and body “get on the same page.”

EMDR incorporates audio and tactile techniques in a customized way for each person. 

There is no time limit on past traumas that can be reshaped and reprocessed.

The reality of any therapy modality: Healing isn’t easy; it’s a process.

Common beliefs that moms have upon beginning a therapy journey (“I’m not enough, There’s something wrong with me, I’m not perfect enough,” etc.)

Conditions that can benefit from EMDR (You don’t have to have a PTSD diagnosis!)

EMDR is safe and helpful for most pregnant patients and can be provided in person and virtually with the same functionality.

The benefits of therapy in an EMDR-intensive form

Consider EMDR as an adjunct therapy along with traditional talk therapy. 

Curious about EMDR? Hear Amity’s advice about learning more and finding the right therapist for you. 

Resources: 

Connect with Amity Olson: Website, Bookkeeping Services for Therapists, Facebook, Instagram, and EMDRIA

Call the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA or visitcdph.ca.gov.

Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. 

There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to be more supportive in offering services.

You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms.

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! 

If you are a California resident seeking a therapist in perinatal mental health, please email me about openings for private pay clients.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today’s guest shares the events leading up to her postpartum psychosis, what she experienced, and how she managed to recover. It is important to hear stories like this so people understand postpartum psychosis and know how to get help. We all need to recognize the symptoms and get the people we love the help they need. Join us for Jade’s powerful story. 

Jade Lloyd is a survivor of postpartum psychosis and a maternal mental health advocate from the UK. Her maternal mental health struggles began with anxiety and sleeplessness, soon progressing to scary, intrusive thoughts and hallucinations. Jade shares her story in the hope that more knowledge and understanding about postpartum depression, anxiety, and psychosis will lead to more moms getting the help they need without shame, blame, and stigma. 

Show Highlights:

Jade’s story: An easy pregnancy and plans for an at-home water birth turned into an induction, epidural, followed by a ventouse/forceps delivery.

Immediate feelings of shame and failure for not having the delivery she wanted

With a December 2020 birth, COVID lockdowns contributed to Jade’s mental health struggles.

The first symptom Jade noticed was anxiety.

Social media was Jade’s primary socialization, which led her to feel even more inadequate as a new mom.

Getting up the courage to admit to the doctor that she was “not ok.”

When asking for help makes you feel like an inconvenience

A specific event one night that scared Jade because of intrusive thoughts of harming herself

Dealing with the self-imposed pressure to be the perfect mom

Help from medications and a doctor who checked in with Jade regularly

Even with medication, Jade’s struggles continued with intrusive thoughts. 

Jade’s feelings of losing touch with reality and experiencing hallucinations

Treatment in the mother-baby unit

Jade’s passion for sharing her story and doing advocacy work for those with PPP

Hope for the future

Jade’s message to listeners and those who are suffering: “It’s okay to ask for help.”

Resources: 

Connect with Jade Lloyd: Instagram 

Call the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA or visitcdph.ca.gov.

Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. 

There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to be more supportive in offering services.

You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms.

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! 

If you are a California resident seeking a therapist in perinatal mental health, please email me about openings for private pay clients.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A traumatic birth can happen to anyone, and it’s much more common than we might think. Today’s show focuses on birth trauma, what it looks like, and how the healing journey can positively reshape someone’s parenting experience. There is help! Join us to learn more!

Dr. Maya Weir is a clinical psychologist who specializes in birth trauma and the emotional transitions of early parenthood. Inspired by her own experience of becoming a parent, she understands how profound, overwhelming, and transformative this stage of life can be. Dr. Weir supports parents in making sense of their journey, healing from birth trauma, and cultivating grounded, connected ways to move forward. She offers short-term therapy for individuals and couples who are processing birth trauma, along with longer-term support for parents navigating the challenges of early parenthood. Based in Napa, CA, Dr. Weir provides virtual therapy throughout CA.

Show Highlights:

Birth trauma: an explanation and examples

Many people go through birth trauma and don’t realize it until later.

Invalidation compounds the original trauma.

Common symptoms of birth trauma: triggering memories, anxiety, and relationship issues

Strategies used to address birth trauma focus on somatic techniques.

Expected results of therapy for birth trauma

Understanding the intersection of different types of trauma

Therapy for birth trauma addresses feelings of guilt, blame, and failure.

Huge issues remain in the birthing system regarding how mothers are treated and spoken to in the sacred moments of childbirth.

A partner can feel shame for “not showing up” to prevent birth trauma. (Partners can greatly benefit from therapy, too!)

Recognizing generational shifts in parenting today

Key takeaways from Dr. Weir: “Healing is possible, your birth story deserves space, and you deserve to feel better and have access to parenting resources.”

Resources: 

Connect with Dr. Maya Weir

Website and Instagram

Call the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA or visitcdph.ca.gov.

Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. 

There are many free resources, such as online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to be more supportive in their work.

You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms.

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! 

If you are a California resident seeking a therapist in perinatal mental health, please email me about openings for private pay clients.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today’s episode focuses on the impacts of ADHD and eating disorders on perinatal mental health. We aim to explore this topic and educate listeners on how these conditions intersect and overlap during life’s transitional periods. 

Laudan Kermani Gish is a licensed psychotherapist in California, Texas, and Connecticut who also offers coaching to clients worldwide. She specializes in women’s health, particularly eating disorders, ADHD, perinatal mental health, and life transitions; she welcomes clients of all genders. She blends trauma-informed and evidence-based modalities to help clients cultivate resilience, strengthen self-worth, and create lives that feel authentic and nourishing. Laudan provides services in both English and Farsi. 

Show Highlights:

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that has wide-ranging impacts. 

Understanding eating disorders in a general sense

Examples of eating disorders: anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID)

The difference between disordered eating and an eating disorder

An increase in ADHD symptoms and eating disorders during the postpartum

Simply naming what’s happening makes it easier to seek help.

The benefit of the ADHD self-reporting assessment and the eating attitudes test

The neuroscience of ADHD, anxiety, and depression

Compassion is vital for avoiding self-judgment.

 Laudan’s advice for family members is to use “the sandwich approach” and come from a place of curiosity, not judgment.

Laudan’s key takeaways from today’s conversation

Resources: 

Connect with Laudan Gish: Website, Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale, and Eating Attitudes Test

Call the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA or visitcdph.ca.gov.

Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. 

There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to be more supportive in offering services.

You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms.

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! 

If you are a California resident seeking a therapist in perinatal mental health, please email me about openings for private pay clients.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

There is much to consider about the intersection of perimenopause, ADHD, and postpartum. With more and more people choosing to have babies later in life, there is the likelihood that the start of perimenopause may coincide with the perinatal period. Those with ADHD have another variable thrown into the mix. We are tackling these topics with our expert guest today. Please join us!

Kara Cruz is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Perinatal Mental Health Specialist, private practice owner, clinical supervisor, women’s mental health advocate, and educator. Her areas of focus are reproductive mental health, ADHD, complex trauma, and mood and anxiety conditions. In addition to psychotherapy with individuals and couples, Kara also facilitates continuing education and mental health training for professionals. One of her favorite projects is her Therapist Group Bootcamp, where she teaches and coaches fellow therapists on building their own wellness and support groups. Kara is an EMDRIA-certified therapist who leads workshops, including her signature group for women, “It Begins With Us.” She is the co-owner/co-founder of Women’s Support Circle, a space for community, resource sharing, and support for women worldwide. She created the Wellness for Women Healers Community, a space for healers of all professions and backgrounds who share the common goal of promoting women’s healing and wellness. Away from work, Kara is a busy wife and mom, enjoying baseball, music, and all nature activities near the beautiful California coast. 

Show Highlights:

Women are suffering in silence, feeling shame and guilt about how they feel.

Understanding the basics of perimenopause

Perimenopause experiences cannot be compared from woman to woman; everyone is different.

The impacts of ADHD on perimenopause

Many professionals are not well-trained on menopause and perimenopause.

Kara’s personal experience with ADHD

Differences in males and females with ADHD (more external in boys/more internal in girls)

Kara’s observations with patients who finally admit they are overloaded and are experiencing multiple symptoms of ADHD

Similarities in symptoms for those who struggle with perimenopause and postpartum: anxiety, panic attacks, anger/irritability, depression, brain fog, sleep disturbances, sadness/crying, joint pain, etc. 

The importance of sleep for everyone

Kara’s process to help people track their sleep and identify their sleep issues

The value of a collaborative effort among a healthcare/treatment team

Kara’s trainings offered to therapy professionals (An overview of three core trainings in 2026)

How a therapist can help with perimenopause and ADHD

Resources:

Connect with Kara Cruz: Website, LinkedIn, and Instagram

Call the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA or visitcdph.ca.gov.

Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. 

There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to be more supportive in offering services.

You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms.

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! 

If you are a California resident seeking a therapist in perinatal mental health, please email me about openings for private pay clients.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today’s focus is on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in treating perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs). Our expert guest will help us understand this therapy technique, its processes, and the overarching goal of this method. Join us to learn more!

Dr. Carissa Gustafson, PMH-C, is a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in perinatal psychology. She supports clients from preconception through parenting, with a particular focus on pregnancy and postpartum care. As the author of Reclaim Your Life: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in 7 Weeks, she utilizes Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help clients learn to relate to their thoughts and feelings with acceptance and compassion, while aligning their behavior with their values. Dr. Gustafson sees clients online throughout California and in person at Village Birth, a part of Heartship Psychological Services. In addition to seeing clients, she has been an adjunct professor and clinical faculty at Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology. 

Show Highlights:

Resources:

Connect with Dr. Carissa Gustafson: Website, Instagram, and Reclaim Your Life: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in 7 Weeks

Call the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA or visitcdph.ca.gov.

Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. 

There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to be more supportive in offering services.

You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms.

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! 

If you are a California resident seeking a therapist in perinatal mental health, please email me about openings for private pay clients.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Our discussion focuses on the ways fertility challenges impact mental health, navigating misinformation and pressure from “influencer experts” on social media, and how evidence-based fertility education can empower and support people mentally and emotionally during their reproductive journey. 

Dr. Lucky Sekhon is a board-certified reproductive endocrinologist, infertility specialist, obstetrician-gynecologist, and assistant clinical professor at the Mount Sinai Health System in New York City. She is the author of The Lucky Egg, a comprehensive, myth-busting guide to understanding reproductive health and overcoming fertility—written to empower anyone navigating the complex and confusing world of fertility. Widely recognized for her expertise in egg freezing, IVF, and LGBTQ+ family building, Dr. Sekhon is a trusted voice in reproductive medicine known for blending cutting-edge science with deeply compassionate patient care. Beyond her busy clinical practice, Dr. Sekhon actively publishes and presents research at national conferences and is passionate about making evidence-based fertility information accessible to all. Through her social media presence, blog, and community outreach, she has become a leading advocate for closing the fertility knowledge gap and helping people make informed, confident decisions about their reproductive futures. 

Show Highlights:

Dr. Lucky’s WHY for writing The Lucky Egg was prompted by her pregnancy during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Lucky’s desire to create a “Fertility Bible” to help people

What to expect from The Lucky Egg

Fertility challenges are as much a mental health issue as a physical one.

There is a wide range of grief experiences with infertility; each journey is unique.

Undiagnosed conditions, like endometriosis and PCOS, can complicate the fertility journey.

There is bad information on social media. Beware!

Dr. Lucky’s challenges in helping patients weed through misinformation and see evidence-based facts

Common themes of misinformation: fearmongering, distrust, quick fixes, and fake testimonials

Dr. Lucky’s commitment to evidence-based treatments

Dr. Lucky’s checklist to evaluate a clinic for quality and success

How The Lucky Egg helps people understand the language of embryology, medications, and protocols, even offering scripts and prompts to help deal with uncomfortable questions from others

“Who is The Lucky Egg written for?”

Messages of hope from Dr. Lucky: “If you’re unsure about your next steps in your fertility journey, you are not alone. Infertility affects 1 in 6 couples. This is a unique struggle with a lot of pressure. Prioritize your mental health, use resources, and find a supportive community.”

Resources:

Connect with Dr. Lucky Sekhon: Website, Instagram, and The Lucky Egg

Call the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA or visitcdph.ca.gov.

Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. 

There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to be more supportive in offering services.

You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms.

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! 
If you are a California resident seeking a therapist in perinatal mental health, please email me about openings for private pay clients.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Before discussing today’s show, I’d like to provide some updates on what to expect from the podcast in 2026. First of all, there will be no more Behind the Sessions episodes. There could also be changes in the frequency of episodes at some point, but we’ll see how that goes. Life shifts and different needs arise that are pulling me in other directions. Everyone has times when shifts are needed to make space for pressing needs, and that’s what I’m experiencing in my life. I’m still excited about the show and the ten-year milestone that we’ll reach in 2026. Remember, the archive of episodes (almost 500!) is always available through our website. 

Today’s episode brings important information about how parenthood changes everything, including your sex life. There are new complexities to intimacy and sex after having a child, and parents need to be prepared so they can protect their connection. Our expert guest answers questions about why passion fades, the sexual-emotional cycle that couples get stuck in, and the path back to each other in your relationship. Join us to learn more!

Dr. Rebecca Howard Eudy is an AASECT-certified sex therapist and the author of Parents in Love: A Guide to Great Sex After Kids. Certified in Emotionally Focused Therapy, she helps couples navigate sex, desire, and connection in the whirlwind of parenting, even when life and kids make it feel impossible. 

Show Highlights:

Understanding the role of a sex therapist, what sex therapy entails, and Rebecca’s journey to be a sex therapist

Identity shifts and body changes that come with having a baby can greatly affect your sex life.

There is much shame and stigma around talking about sex and sexuality.

The need to be flexible and curious with your partner

Factors that impact a couple’s ability to connect and be intimate: time, hormones, exhaustion, and resentment

Focusing on the “micromoments” to show your connection to your partner

Common themes in sex therapy for new parents

Reinvesting in the partnership and understanding each other’s intimacy needs

The need for disconnection and solitude (Everyone needs alone time!)

The difficult mental shift from “Mommy mode” to adult partner

Dealing with mismatched levels of desire, which could become more pronounced after kids

Dr. Rebecca’s tips for finding your way back to your partner:

Become comfortable talking about sex.

Be flexible during the early-parent years.

Be open to other intimacies besides intercourse.

Consider scheduling sexual activity.

Make sure your partner feels seen, appreciated, and desired.

Find ways to protect your time for intimacy.

The importance of pleasure in all forms of intimacy (“Nobody wants bad sex!”)

Resources:

Connect with Dr. Rebecca Howard Eudy: Website, Instagram, and Parents in Love: A Guide to Great Sex After Kids

Call the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA or visitcdph.ca.gov.

Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. 

There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to be more supportive in offering services.

You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms.

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! 

If you are a California resident seeking a therapist in perinatal mental health, please email me about openings for private pay clients.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today’s episode finishes the four-part series on perinatal mental health during the holidays. It is also the final Behind the Sessions episode because life’s circumstances are requiring me to shift, change, and prioritize other things as 2025 comes to a close. I will periodically add a solo episode in the future when I want to dive deeper into a relevant subject. There could even be a reduction in the frequency of episodes in 2026, as I see how my focus is needed in other areas. This shift is an example of my need to “practice what I preach” by protecting my time, space, and mental health as life changes. There is an extensive archive of episodes (almost 500 of them!) on my website from which you can search topics of interest to you. Please take advantage of the amazing resources available there! Today’s episode focuses on facing the challenges of the postpartum period during the holidays. Join me!

Show Highlights:

Hey, Mama: You ARE doing enough!

When you throw PPA or PPD into the mix, the holidays can be overwhelming.

Doing ALL the things will add more stress and cause burnout.

Truths about postpartum life: It’s a BIG change!

Worrying about social gatherings and the risk of sickness for your baby is completely normal.

You may feel a greater sense of disconnect and loneliness.

Watch out for the “comparison trap” that social media can cause.

The potential for overstimulation is great.

The underlying differences between expectations and reality

Make it through the holidays in whatever ways you can—and that’s okay.

Holiday problems for people-pleasers

An increase in pressure and a decrease in emotional bandwidth can create the perfect storm of stress.

Red flags that signal a perinatal mental health condition

Steps to better self-care:

Manage your self-talk–your inner voice.

Pause, sit, and breathe to settle your body and mind.

Realize that you don’t have to do everything you’ve always done.

Add self-compassion to your life.

Protect your energy by resting, limiting social engagements, and setting boundaries.

Ask for help—and accept it when it’s offered.

The importance of reframing what the holidays mean to you

You and your family deserve peace–not perfection.

Prioritizing your healing over traditions, expectations, and plans is okay—and encouraged. 

Resources:

Call the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA or visitcdph.ca.gov.

Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. 

There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to be more supportive in offering services.

You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms.

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! 

If you are a California resident seeking a therapist in perinatal mental health, please email me about openings for private pay clients.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Our focus in today’s episode is parenting a child with a disability, including the point of diagnosis, how the diagnosis might change over time, how it impacts pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, and the ableism parents can face in reproductive care. Join us to learn more from today’s expert guest. 

Riley Blanton is a therapist specializing in reproductive mental health care in Kansas. She is passionate about the nuances within the perinatal space, including individuals parenting children with disabilities, abortion care, foster care, and adoption. Riley is the founder of the research-based website Postpartum Brain and of the perinatal-specific private practice Holding New Therapy. Her work includes publishing research-based articles on her website and appearing on various online media outlets. She is also the owner of Kansas Reproductive Therapy Center, which provides mental health professionals with specialized training in reproductive mental health, including ableism in reproductive care, pregnancy after loss, adoption, and foster care. 

Show Highlights:

Riley’s journey into this specialty, which began with the traumatic birth of her first child in 2019, followed by perinatal mental health challenges

Riley’s foster care and adoption experience with a disabled child

Meeting simple needs with accommodations for disabilities, like mobility issues and trauma-informed ways to deal with diagnoses

Different ways parents receive a diagnosis for their child–and the impact on mental health

Grief and a lot of ambiguous loss around a diagnosis that steals the expectations parents have for their child

The learning curve for parents dealing with a child’s disability, along with feelings of isolation and loneliness

Some diagnoses evolve over time, so parents must adjust and navigate new stages of the child’s needs.

Common frustrations of parents who suddenly become disability advocates for their child

Redefining self-care for parents

Feeling out of control with burnout, anxiety, and depression that can come with caregiving

Riley’s suggestions for avenues for help and support that are actually supportive

The complexity of a parent with a disability who is also parenting a child with a disability–and how internalized ableism can show up

The best ways for providers to support parents

There is still research to do and work to be done!

CEUs are available through the Kansas Reproductive Therapy Center.

Resources:

Connect with Riley Blanton: Holding New Therapy Website and @rileyrblanton IG

Call the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA or visitcdph.ca.gov.

Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. 

There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to be more supportive in offering services.

You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms.

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! 
If you are a California resident seeking a therapist in perinatal mental health, please email me about openings for private pay clients.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices