Mental Health Treatment During Pregnancy: A Necessity, Not a Luxury
As a maternal mental health therapist, I work every day with women navigating the emotional intensity of pregnancy and parenthood—many experiencing anxiety, intrusive thoughts, or depression so severe it disrupts daily life. I reassure them that with the right support, recovery is possible; in fact, research shows that 80% of individuals recover from perinatal mood and anxiety disorders when treated appropriately. Yet what should bring relief is often met with hesitation and fear—especially when medication is part of the conversation. This fear only deepened following a recent FDA panel that questioned the safety of antidepressants during pregnancy, despite no new scientific evidence. What concerns me most is not the panel’s claims, but how quickly misinformation can fuel stigma and create unnecessary barriers to lifesaving care.
Is Gentle Parenting Killing Us?
As a therapist, I often encounter clients wrestling with the pressures of modern parenting. Among the most debated approaches is gentle parenting—a method emphasizing empathy, respect, and positive reinforcement. While its intentions are rooted in compassion and fostering emotional intelligence in children, a pressing question arises: Is gentle parenting inadvertently harming parents' well-being?
Mom Friends: Essential to Your Well-Being
When was the last time you had a night out with friends? You know the night, the one where you find yourself laughing so hard that you forget, even for a moment, all the chaos of life. If you had to think a little too hard about this, you’re not alone. As a therapist who works with moms, I often hear that motherhood has pushed friendships to the back burner. It’s a reminder to moms that you deserve more fun outside the walls of your home and beyond your role as a parent. Because if there’s one thing that I have seen consistently transform the lives of my clients it’s mom friends.
Navigating the Grief of Pregnancy and Infant Loss
October marks Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month—a time dedicated to honor the deep grief that accompanies the loss of a baby, whether through miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant death. In this post, I want to explore what it means to grieve a baby you never had the chance to know, and how to navigate this unique and profound loss. Whether you are experiencing this yourself or supporting someone who is, it’s important to honor the grief and recognize that there are tangible ways to begin healing, even when it feels impossible.
Maternal Mental Load: Understanding & Navigating this Invisible Burden
Maternal mental overload is a unique and challenging experience that many mothers face, marked by the relentless cognitive labor and emotional demands of managing a household and caring for a family. Despite efforts to balance responsibilities, societal norms and ingrained gender roles often place the majority of this mental burden on women. This blog explores the concept of maternal mental overload, why it disproportionately affects women, and the signs that indicate you're experiencing it. It also delves into why sharing the load can be so difficult and offers practical steps to break the cycle, emphasizing the importance of community and self-compassion in navigating these challenges.
A Heartfelt Lesson in Timing and Motherhood
Hoda Kotb, a beloved anchor of the Today Show, made the announcement that she's stepping away from her high-profile position to dedicate more time to being with her family. As both a reproductive mental health therapist and a mother who struggled with my own family forming challenges, I find myself moved and inspired by Hoda's choice. Her journey resonates with my own experience and reminds us all that life's most precious moments often unfold in their own perfect timing.
High Needs Parenting After 5 pm
We’ve all been there – juggling career, household responsibilities, and the emotional well-being of our families, which often peaks in intensity right after 5 PM. With school back in session and routines in full swing, most of us find ourselves facing this stretch of the day with dread. If you’re anything like me, the period between 5 PM and bedtime can feel like a marathon where everyone’s energy reserves are tapped, but there’s still so much to do. Dinner, homework, baths, books, and bedtime—plus, let’s not overlook solo time for yourself or spending quality time with your partner, if it even happens. This period in the day, is coupled with a common aspect of modern motherhood: the maternal mental load. Let’s break down why this time can be so overwhelming and, more importantly, what we can do about it.
Navigating the Emotional Journey of Kindergarten—As the Parent
After dropping my daughter off for her first day of kindergarten, I felt inspired to write about this emotional milestone that many parents face—sending their child off to kindergarten. Transitions are often filled with excitement and pride. However, these big milestones can also bring about feelings of grief and loss for parents. I want to normalize these emotions as an important part of the parenting journey. Read more here.