Nurturing new beginnings
You wanted this more than anything.
And somehow, it feels harder than you expected.
The journey to becoming a new parent is filled with challenges that most people don't talk about. Between short maternity leaves, the pressure to return to work, and the messages from society that this should be the most blissful and happiest time of your life.
As a perinatal therapist, I've seen many new and expecting parents come to therapy sessions feeling heavy amounts of shame, guilt, sadness, and anxiety.
While awareness around maternal postpartum care is growing, perinatal mental health challenges affect partners at similar rates, even without the physical experience of childbirth.
The transition into parenthood reshapes everything, and while the road to becoming a parent can be filled with challenges, it can bring you closer together when you have the right support.
How i can help
Perinatal therapy can help you...
Feel supported during the baby blues, before it turns into PPD
Keep your relationship a priority while navigating the journey of having a baby
Work through the constant anxiety that keeps you awake at night
Finally feel like yourself again, and make time for the activities that are important to you
Feel more confident in your parenting decisions (individually and as a couple)
Feel more rested and supported by building in new habits and boundaries
Perinatal therapy can help you...
Feel supported during the baby blues, before it turns into PPD
Keep your relationship a priority while navigating the journey of having a baby
Work through the constant anxiety that keeps you awake at night
Finally feel like yourself again, and make time for the activities that are important to you
Feel more confident in your parenting decisions (individually and as a couple)
Feel more rested and supported by building in new habits and boundaries
Before coming to therapy, most new and expecting parents find themselves asking:
- Why doesn't this feel how I thought it would?
- Why do I feel so angry?
- Will this ever get better?
- Why can't things be like they used to be?
- I thought becoming a mother/father would be a natural transition?
- If I get help, will people think there's something wrong with me?
- How can I get my partner to understand what I'm feeling?
- This is all I ever wanted, why do I keep crying and feeling so sad and anxious?
Emotional ups and downs are natural after a baby,
but struggling long term isn't just "part of parenthood."
Most people assume the baby blues will pass on their own. But for many new and expecting parents, what starts as the baby blues doesn't just go away after a few weeks. It lingers and shifts over time. It shows up as sadness, anxiety, guilt, and a constant feeling that something isn't right.
Paternal perinatal mental health often shows up as anxiety, depression, being short-tempered, or withdrawal; and because it doesn't look like what most people expect postpartum to look like, it often goes unrecognized and unaddressed.
Perinatal mental health symptoms don't always resolve on their own for either parent. The sooner you have somewhere to process what's coming up for you, both individually and as a couple, the easier the transition to parenthood tends to feel.
What to expect
Your first session is 60 minutes. We'll talk about what you're hoping to get out of therapy, as well as your history, especially as it pertains to your journey to becoming a parent. The focus is specifically on your perinatal experience, whether that's pregnancy, postpartum, IVF, fertility challenges, or the transition into motherhood/fatherhood.
From there, sessions are 45 minutes. I work primarily from a cognitive behavioral therapy framework, drawing from my Postpartum Support International training to support you through this specific season of life, and the challenges you're experiencing.
Every client's journey is different, and the way we work together will reflect that. Whether you're a new mom navigating postpartum anxiety, a dad who doesn't know how to name what he's feeling, or a couple trying to work through fertility challenges, perinatal therapy is built to support your individual needs.
Perinatal mental health affects both moms and dads.
From conception through the first full year of your baby's life.
As a certified perinatal mental health therapist, I work with new and expecting moms, dads, and couples navigating the emotional challenges of this transition. Perinatal mental health struggles are more common than most people think, and they don't always look the way you'd expect.
Some of the biggest misconceptions around perinatal therapy include...
Perinatal symptoms don't always resolve on their own
Perinatal mental health symptoms don't always go away on their own, and the earlier you get support, the easier the transition tends to be. Even during the baby blues, reaching out early can make a big difference.
Dads are affected too, even without going through childbirth
The father's mental health is often overlooked during the perinatal phase. About 10% of new and expecting dads experience depression or anxiety, and it often shows up as irritability, fatigue, and withdrawal rather than sadness.
Struggling during this season doesn't make you a "bad" parent
Feeling overwhelmed, sad, anxious, or disconnected during this season is far more common than most people admit. Getting support doesn't mean something is wrong. It means you're taking the right steps for yourself, your family, and your children.
- Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in New Jersey & Connecticut
- Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCADC) in New Jersey
- Certified Imago Relationship Therapist
- Certified Perinatal Mental Health Therapist
- EMDR Trained
My trainings & certifications:
- Perinatal Mental Health
- Paternal Perinatal Health
- Life Transitions
- Blended Families
- Boundary Setting
- Communication Issues
- Codependency
- Anxiety & Stress
Therapy specialties:
- Family Conflict
- Grief & Loss
- Intimacy
- Postpartum
- Fertility Challenges
- Parenting
- Pregnancy
- IVF
Frequently Asked Questions
What are your session fees?
Session fees vary depending on session length and whether you are interested in couples therapy or individual therapy. Please contact me to discuss my session rates.
Do you only offer online therapy sessions?
Yes, I offer teletherapy sessions on a HIPAA compliant video platform to NJ and CT residents.
Do you accept insurance?
I am an out-of-network provider, which means that I do not directly participate with any insurance plans. As an out-of-network provider, a super bill will be provided to you to submit to your insurance company for reimbursement, if you choose to do so. Many people have out-of-network benefits and can be reimbursed for psychotherapy services by as much as 50-80%, depending on the plan.
Can I get reimbursed for therapy costs?
Many people have out-of-network benefits and can be reimbursed for psychotherapy services by as much as 50-80%, depending on the plan.
Here are some questions that may be helpful to ask your insurance company:
- Does my policy include mental health benefits?
- Does my policy include OON (out of network) benefits?
- Is there an annual deductible I need to meet prior to getting coverage for OON mental health benefits. If so, how much?
- Is there a limit on the amount of sessions my plan covers per year?
- Are virtual sessions covered?
How do I make payments?
Payment is accepted in the form of credit card, debit cards, FSA, or HSA cards. Payments are due at the time of the session.
What is your cancellation policy?
Cancellations and rescheduled sessions require at least a 24 hour notice. If you cancel or reschedule your appointment within 24 hours of the scheduled time, you will still be responsible for the full session fee.
What can I expect in the initial consultation?
The initial video consultation call is an opportunity to learn more about my practice, answer questions you may have, and to learn more about what you hope to get out of therapy. Together we will decide if my practice is the best fit for your needs.
Reaching out is the first step.
Before we do anything else, we start with a complimentary 15 minute video call. It's a chance for you to share a little about what's going on, ask any questions you have, and get a feel for whether working together makes sense. If we decide to move forward, we'll schedule your first session from there.
This contact form is not monitored 24/7 and is not intended for crisis situations. If you're in crisis or need immediate support, please reach out to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988.
Thank you for reaching out!
I'll be in touch via email within the next few business days.
