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The role of mother. The process of entering into and becoming, mother. Who ever knew there was so much to know, to understand, to adjust to? The pictures look beautiful. You know, the ones where mother and baby stare lovingly, quietly, with complete serenity at one another?
Pregnancy; you’re preparing the room, buying ALL the stuff, reading all the things about child development. Have you stopped to think about you yet? I can tell you, as pregnant women we usually don’t. Our minds race with all the things we need to know about baby, not about how we will adjust, heal, and develop in our postpartum life. Not a lot of time is spent thinking about how to love and work with our partner when the baby comes. We also don’t spend time thinking about the grief and loss of sense of self. It’s so much more fun to think about the beauty of life, and the excitement of the baby.
Pregnancy is a great time to focus on self, to begin building a supportive community, and increase skills that can help you identify and prevent postpartum depression and anxiety when baby comes. Knowledge is an amazing weapon against the complicated set of circumstances generated in the fourth trimester (the three months following birth of baby). Seeking out support during pregnancy is like seeking out pre-marital counseling before marriage. It can provide a foundation for success as you move through one of the most challenging transitions in your life. Let me help you in this rite of passage into motherhood.
And if you’ve already had your baby, and you are sitting here reading this thinking “why the hell am I so empty?'“, I’m here for you, too. In fact, I’ve been there. And I didn’t know why it was so hard, either. And all I wanted was to feel like myself again. A feeling of control, contentment, or just not to cry uncontrollably several times a day. Maybe you are having scary thoughts of the horrible things that might happen to your baby? Terrible, intrusive thoughts that make you feel crazy and fearful that others could never understand…and maybe worse, that people will think you are an unfit mother. Or, maybe you are just feeling horrible regret. Like you made a mistake. Like you weren’t made to be a mother, either because you aren’t good at it, or because you just plain hate it. I see you, you are not alone, and I’m here to listen. We can walk, we can share, and you can begin to regain your sense of confidence and self. I’m here for you. Because this stuff is hard, so much harder than so many want to share.
Alcohol, for many, is a fun, relaxing, social activity. Perhaps it still is, but you also find yourself with concerns voiced by your partner, family members, doctor, or maybe yourself. Maybe you wake up feeling uneasy or sick more days than not, or dying to get off work so you can crack open that first beer or open that bottle of wine. Maybe you have experienced some legal consequences from your drinking and are concerned about future repercussions of drinking. Whatever brings you to my office, this is what I want you to know: your process in discovering what and how you want to change will be yours. No judgement. No labeling. No absolute prescription. No mandatory group interactions. No public announcement. We will explore each step together and identify the direction you want to go, involving others in the time frame that is comfortable for you.
Having worked with professionals trying to decide what to do with their drinking habits, I’ve found that larger agencies can feel alienating, intimidating, and like they just “don’t fit.” Providing the space that helps you explore your concerns is important. If you want a quiet, confidential space, where you get to meet your counselor immediately, and on your schedule, this might just be the place for you.
Sitting in an office talking about yourself isn't everyone’s cup of tea. There are so many benefits to getting up and moving, and often moving side by side with another person increases the flow of thought and the comfort in sharing. Fresh air, change in scenery, and increased blood flow are just a few of the benefits of walking therapy.
Walk+Talk Therapy might be right for you if you:
1. Want to be more physically active during your therapy time
2. Experience increased anxiety in a traditional office setting
3. Enjoy the outdoors
4. Are a new mother and need to bring baby with you to sessions
5. Are experiencing grief, depression, or anxiety
Walk+Talk Therapy increases relaxation, promotes becoming unstuck, and is a great environment for promoting mindfulness (experiencing the now).
Teletherapy offers many of the benefits of traditional, in-office, individual counseling, with the benefit of not having travel to and from your appointments. Whether utilizing video chats, phone calls, or even text messaging, teletherapy takes flexibility to a new level.
Teletherapy might be right for you if:
1. You struggle to keep appointments that require travel or leaving your house
2. Leaving your house is currently a struggle due to chronic illness or medical disability
3. Your schedule is tight and doesn’t allow for travel time
4. You travel out of town often but want to maintain regular counseling appointments
*Some insurance companies do not cover teletherapy. Please check with your individual plan and requirements before pursuing teletherapy, if you plan to use your insurance.