If you have found yourself here, you have likely concluded that you need more therapeutic support than you are currently getting. If you are pregnant or have a young child (up to two years old) and you feel the source of your mental health symptoms stem from parenthood/motherhood, role strain or trauma related to parenthood, then you would likely benefit from a postpartum specialist. Read on to learn more about what kind of support a specialist can provide for you.
This takes courage!
This takes courage! To admit this is a challenging chapter, to recognize that you need help, to begin to research what help could look like, and to accept help – that takes courage! We live in a society where moms are supposed to be superheroes, able to carry the weight of the world on their shoulders – with a smile. It goes against the “Super Mom” trope to recognize that this chapter is tough, and it’s not always fun, and support isn’t just nice, but necessary. I am glad you’re here.
Specialist or Generalist?
You may be unsure if you need a specialist or generalist. In the therapeutic field, the generalist clinicians see a variety of clients with a variety of diagnoses. Specialists are equipped to work with very specific diagnoses or stages of life. There are quality, wonderful therapists that are generalists and quality, wonderful therapists that are specialists.
As a therapist that focuses on the perinatal chapter, I can support you in identifying if you would benefit from a perinatal specialist or a therapist that practices as a generalist.
What makes a perinatal specialist a specialist?
Matrescence is the unique chapter of being a new mother. Although this a universal experience, each new mother experiences this in a completely unique way. A perinatal specialist has specific training around the changes that occur during this chapter. This includes how trauma, hormones, medical intervention, fertility challenges, pregnancy loss, societal, cultural and familial expectations, feeding choices, and myths of motherhood impact the new mother’s parenting experience. You deserve a therapist that specializes in this unique chapter and can support you with a compassionate judgment free therapeutic experience.
Ask yourself the following questions:
A specialist will know that each of these seemingly innocent questions are loaded for someone who is struggling with matrescence. Go though these questions slowly and note if any of them bring up big or distressing feelings. Allow what comes up for you to help inform your decision with picking a therapist:
· Aren’t you excited to be a mom/parent?
· How was the pregnancy?
· How was the birth?
· Didn’t you fall in love with your baby when you first saw her?
· Don’t you love being a mom?
· Are you getting any sleep yet?
· Are you breastfeeding/chestfeeding?
· Do you feel closer to your partner?
· How’s the baby?
Other things to note when picking a therapist:
A perinatal specialist can be broken even more niches; grief and loss, fertility challenges, Bipolar diagnoses, Postpartum Psychosis, birth trauma or medical trauma, NICU stays, health challenges with child, adoption, parents of multiples or attachment based therapy.
And for some, it is important that their therapists are moms too. It is okay to ask any therapist you are considering working with if they are a parent themselves.
Ready to start? Reach out to me and schedule a free 15 minutes consultation.
I'm not the perfect fit for you? That's okay! Check out PSI's Provider Directory to find help near you.
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