talk therapy for
reproductive mental health
Reproductive mental health is about so much more than postpartum difficulties. Since the journey to and through parenthood is seldom a straight path, many challenges can surface along the way. Among those are: mood changes, anxiety, grief and loss, the physical and emotional impact of fertility treatments, navigating identity shifts, body image changes, feelings of isolation, impact on the partner relationship, and return-to-work stressors. Any one of these variables—nevermind several of them simultaneously—can create a deep sense of desperation and depletion. I am here to offer compassionate help for whichever challenges you are dealing with on your personal journey.
I accept clients living in Florida and Quebec, where I am a licensed psychologist.
Located elsewhere? Stephanie can work with you in a coaching or consulting capacity.
THE ROAD TO BUILDING A FAMILY is not always what you imagined, expected, or hoped it would be. Whether the struggles are around conceiving, coping with loss/grief, postpartum depression or anxiety, or the adjustments to motherhood, I will support you in navigating the big obstacles and changes that are part of this journey.
does any of this sound like you?
YOU ARE experiencing infertility
YOU HAVE suffered a pregnancy loss or termination
YOU ARE feeling relationship strain and/or disconnection from your partner
YOU ARE struggling with postpartum adjustments and mental health
YOU ARE experiencing postpartum depression and/or anxiety
YOU ARE feeling lonely and isolated
YOU FEEL overwhelmed
YOU DON’T think you are adjusting well to motherhood
YOU WANT to find life balance
YOU ARE rediscovering your identity
HERE’S THE THING: It really does take a village. Not just to raise the child, but to support the mama. And to support her, not only in her mothering, but in the grieving of her old self that she may feel vanished when her child was created, and the discovery of her new identity and the messy process of finding her way in her new life.
therapy:
what to expect
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The first session(s) will consist of an evaluation of your needs. By the end of the evaluation, you will come away with some early impressions of what your work in therapy might look like. There will also be a collaborative discussion of your goals for treatment. You will always be in the position to determine whether to continue with therapy.
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The course of treatment varies considerably, based on your particular situation, symptoms, and goals. Many different therapeutic methods may be applied in order to help you move toward positive and meaningful change. Usually a blend of insight-oriented approaches (like psychodynamic psychotherapy, existential psychotherapy, and interpersonal psychotherapy) and concrete skill development techniques (pulled from modalities like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy [CBT], Dialectical Behavior Therapy [DBT], and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy [ACT]) will be used.
I value a collaborative approach. Together, we will identify the patterns that are keeping you stuck, and work to change them. That process involves evaluating what is working and what isn't, bringing into conscious awareness some of your unconscious conflicts, and building new ways of managing life demands so that you may freely discard the old, less adaptive ways of coping.
TOGETHER, WE WILL WORK TOWARD:
Becoming curious about what is driving your symptoms/distress and reducing those negative experiences.
Developing increased self-awareness.
Determining your personal strengths and assets, and using them to reach your full potential.
Practicing new perspectives, ways of managing emotions, communicating, and being in the world.
Working toward deeper connection and positive change in your most important relationships. -
It's important to note that in order to have the best possible outcome, you will have to invest time and energy, not only in your sessions, but also in the time between sessions, thinking about and working on the themes that have been identified in therapy. As your therapist, I’m here to match your commitment at each step. The ultimate goal of therapy is to be able to end your work, and for you to move forward in your life from a position of increased strength, stability, happiness, authenticity, and trust in yourself.