perinatal TeleTherapy

Having a baby can be an exciting and magical time, but for many women, the journey to motherhood is filled with unexpected challenges. You may struggle with fear, depression, anxiety, anger, guilt, shame or scary thoughts. Many women experience mild mood changes during or after the birth of a child, but 20% of women experience more significant symptoms of anxiety or depression.

Some clients report feeling like they are a “bad mom” or have thoughts like “I shouldn’t have become a mother.” Sometimes they feel overwhelmed with worry and stress or feel like they “can’t handle” all the daily tasks in their life. Other women report feeling “shut down” or the opposite and feel like they “can’t slow down.” These thoughts and feelings can be hard to manage (especially when trying to take care of a baby or family) and leave many women feeling alone.

Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders are the most common complications associated with childbirth. They include prenatal depression and anxiety, postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety disorders (including OCD, PTSD, and Panic Disorder) and postpartum psychosis. If you are experiencing symptoms of depression and anxiety, there is hope as these symptoms are very treatable, and you can get better.

WHY DO I FEEL SO BAD?

New studies indicate that 1 in 5 women develop postpartum depression after giving birth. After the pains of pregnancy and labor, a mother deserves to enjoy her time with her baby. Of course, stress is natural. Most women experience the baby blues or symptoms of anxiety or depression that might last a week or two. The demands on a new mom are real and intense. Sometimes the combination of hormones, stress, sleeplessness, and feelings of guilt/shame create longer-lasting suffering in the form of postpartum depression or anxiety, which is not your fault. The focus of early motherhood is a perfect storm for triggering distress. It is essential to know that having postpartum depression or anxiety does not mean you do not love your child or weren’t meant to be a mother.

I would love to help you work through your pre-pregnancy, pregnancy or postpartum depression, anxiety, or baby blues and begin feeling fully present. Online therapy can help dissipate the cloud of sadness and stress, leaving space for the beautiful parts of motherhood.

life transitions TeleTherapy

Change is a normal part of life but it’s not easy. Some changes can really impact our quality of life and make us question everything. 

Changes or transitions can include things like relationship conflict, separation or divorce, finances, work stress, adapting to an illness or disability, or recovering from a scary or traumatic event just to make a few. Becoming a mother is another example of a significant life transition and, as noted above, can have huge impacts.

I can help you begin to adjust to your “new normal”, find your strength and move forward more confidently in the direction you want to go. You don’t have to navigate this change alone; virtual counseling can help. 

Substance Use TeleTherapy

Substances can include alcohol, tobacco, and legal or illegal drugs. People use substances for many reasons but no one sets out to have a problem with it.  For some, their use of substances slowly begins to have consequences or a negative impact on important things in their life. This can happen to anyone so it is nothing to be ashamed of. As humans, we tend to seek pleasure and avoid pain and substances can be an effective but unhealthy way to cope with pain and stress. It can be a way to socialize, relax, or “numb out” but it often comes at a cost to our mental and physical health and can impact our relationships negatively. 

Whether you are just curious about your use of a substance, know that you have a problem or addiction, or are in recovery and trying to maintain your sobriety, I can partner with you right where you are. We can explore the role of substances in your life and consider possible options, at your own pace, should you desire to change or stop your use. It is possible to find freedom from substance use but it’s easier with the proper help and support through virtual counseling. 

anxiety/depression TeleTherapy

Anxiety

Anxiety is the most common mental health condition of our time. Over 40 million adults in the U.S. have an anxiety disorder. Anxiety is a normal human response to stress and serves an important purpose. However, anxiety can become more severe and chronic and impact a person’s peace of mind and functioning. Anxiety can take the form of excessive worry, restlessness, and fear. Individuals often find that the anxiety experienced is difficult to control and that it has related physical symptoms which include fatigue, restlessness, difficulty concentrating, muscle tension, and sleep disturbance.  

Depression

Depression can show up in many different ways. Sometimes it’s described as feeling like you don’t control your thoughts but instead they control you. Depression is more than just sadness, although sadness, crying and hopelessness can be present. It can make daily tasks feel difficult if not impossible. Things you used to enjoy may not interest you, you might feel angry and irritable, or find yourself sleeping too much or not enough.  You might have low energy and trouble concentrating and sometimes thoughts of suicide. 

Virtual therapy can help you gain a better understanding of what you are feeling, identify thoughts and behaviors that are unhelpful, and learn some new perspectives and coping strategies to begin to move through the anxiety or depression so you can fully engage in your life. 

Grief/loss TeleTherapy

We know that grief and loss are part of life but it doesn’t make it any less difficult when we experience it. Our culture here in the U.S. does not do a good job of talking about or normalizing the grief process therefore people often feel unsure of how to navigate the big feelings that come with grief and often wonder “am I supposed to feel like this”? Or “shouldn’t I be over it by now?” There is no “right” way to grieve but there are healthy and unhealthy ways. Grief can also be very isolating as others might not really understand what you’re going through or might make well-meaning comments that in truth are not helpful and sometimes hurtful. Often people just don’t know what to say. I can offer you the space to feel and name all the feelings you are experiencing. You can express everything you want without fear of upsetting someone else and without fear of judgment. During your virtual counseling sessions, I will guide you through the grief process at your pace, give you a safe space to process your emotions, and be present with you during this difficult time. 

trauma TeleTherapy

Trauma is an emotional response to a terrible event like an accident, assault, or natural disaster. Immediately after the event, shock and denial are typical. Longer-term reactions can include unpredictable emotions, flashbacks, strained relationships, and even physical symptoms like headaches or nausea. Trauma or unexpected, difficult events can have a huge impact on us but there is hope. Online therapy can help you process events, make sense of your experience, grieve, and regain your strength and resiliency.