Mom and Mind | Pregnancy and Postpartum Depression & Anxiety

Today’s show is unique in that we have four guests sharing their stories of losing a uterus to survive childbirth, and the chaos left behind after this traumatic event. These four women have connected over the struggle to rebuild their lives, the constant dismissal from healthcare professionals, and finding that the one missing ingredient to get back to a normal life isn’t normalized in today’s me...

I’m joined by Dr. Sarah Oreck to talk about Mavida Health, a unique platform combining clinical care and online emotional support and community for maternal and paternal mental health care. We can only hope that their style of specialized support and wide range of reproductive mental health services will eventually be replicated in more places across the US. You’ll learn what Mavida Health is doin...

Many couples struggle to maintain intimacy and connection while trying to conceive, especially when conception takes a long time. My focus in today’s episode is on things outside the scope of an IVF journey, like timed and scheduled intercourse. This journey to parenthood can impact your mental health and the connection with your partner. Intimacy may no longer be spontaneous and fun, feeling like...

Today’s episode focuses on EMDR for the treatment of birth trauma and reproductive trauma. You’ll learn what EMDR is and how this therapy technique can support families through trauma recovery. Dr. Pria Alpern is a licensed clinical psychologist, EMDRIA-approved therapist, and EMDRIA-approved consultant. She is the founder of the Manhattan Center of Trauma Studies and the director of the Center Ps...

What does it mean to practice mindfulness, and how does it apply to parenting? This episode will answer those questions, along with how our kids can trigger us and why putting our needs first actually helps our kids. Join us to learn more! Hunter Clarke-Fields, the “Mindful Mama Mentor,” is a dynamic speaker who captivates audiences on TV and in front of thousands worldwide. From a self-proclaimed...

It’s not uncommon to feel disconnected from your pregnancy and your unborn baby. These feelings bring shame for not living up to the idealized standard of what pregnancy and motherhood “should be.” This shame can lead to isolation, confusion, painful fears, and an emotional distance between mother and baby. If this describes you, you are not broken, and you are not alone. Let’s take a closer look...

I am super excited to bring you our 400th episode! I want to reflect on these almost 9 years, honoring the guests who have shared their stories and the experts who have shared their knowledge and wisdom about pathways to healing. I never would have imagined in 2016 that reaching 400 episodes was a possibility. To each listener, I say a heartfelt thank you for listening and learning through our jou...

Today, I’m joined by Georgia, who bravely shares her journey of healing after severe postpartum depression and anxiety. We dive into the importance of finding the right level of treatment, and she opens up about her experience in a partial hospitalization program specializing in perinatal mental health. Georgia also reflects on how her early life experiences and trauma shaped her path into parenth...

Today’s session is about what’s happening in the world and the impact on moms and families. Current politics in the US are absolutely affecting our stress levels. People are expressing concerns and fears in therapy sessions as huge changes are happening, and these changes are directly affecting how they show up in the world and in their families. Daily attacks are taking place on programs that inf...

My guest has written a powerful book about the history of postpartum depression in America, highlighting the changes in our cultural understanding of PPD. Join us for this discussion. Rachel Louise Moran is an associate professor of history at the University of North Texas, where she teaches US women’s and gender history and the history of medicine. She’s the author of a new book, Blue: A History...

Planning ahead for the postpartum has proven to be a helpful strategy to overcome the challenges and unique dynamics of this transitional time. My expert guest and I dive into this topic in today’s episode. Join us! Gayane Aramyan, LMFT, is based in Los Angeles and specializes in perinatal therapy. She helps women and couples navigate pregnancy, postpartum, and parenthood. She earned her master’s...

Today’s session is about recognizing abusive behaviors in family members and taking appropriate action to protect your mental and physical health. I want to give a warning that some of these situations can be difficult to hear if you have a history of various kinds of abuse. Abusive family members can come in the form of a partner, sibling, extended family, and even parents of adult kids who are n...

I’m joined today by Aaisha Alvi, a writer and fierce postpartum psychosis awareness advocate. In her recent book, A Mom Like That: A Memoir of Postpartum Psychosis, she shares her experience and explains how her symptoms of psychosis were missed, ignored, and overlooked by many healthcare providers until she finally got the help she needed. Aaisha shares her story with us and discusses the differe...

My guest shares her story of an uncomplicated pregnancy that resulted in an emergency hysterectomy just minutes after her daughter’s birth. Join us to hear her story of grief, trauma, feelings of isolation, and healing.  Lindsey Harris is a mental health therapist in Princeton, TX, and she specializes in the treatment of eating disorders, anxiety, and depression. She brings a deeply personal persp...

In today’s Behind the Sessions episode, Dr. Kat, a perinatal psychologist, explores how motherhood can magnify anxiety and self-doubt, especially for those with pre-existing tendencies towards anxiety or perfectionism. She discusses how these emotional challenges often resurface during pregnancy and postpartum, leading to feelings of inadequacy.  Dr. Kat emphasizes the importance of recognizing an...

Today, my guests are talking about their new card deck for postpartum folks. Available in English and Spanish, the card deck is called “Centering You” and is a collaboration between these longtime friends and perinatal therapists. In this episode, they will explain what the card deck is and how it can be helpful. They are offering a special discount to Mom and Mind listeners, so don’t miss your ch...

There are internal and societal pressures in making birthing and parenting decisions that are magnified for the BIPOC community. My guest explains how incorporating ancestral practices can be supportive and shares her valuable work and the importance of doulas for people of color. Dr. Suzanne Mungalez (aka Dr. Zann) is a licensed clinical psychologist in CA certified in perinatal mental health, ch...

Today, Dr. Kat discusses the pressures and expectations of the new year, particularly around personal goals, parenting, and self-reflection. She addresses feelings of inadequacy that arise from societal standards and social media comparisons. Dr. Kat emphasizes the importance of self-compassion, manageable goal-setting, and recognizing that perfection is unattainable. She advises listeners to focu...

This is an important conversation that affects many women at various stages of life, perhaps none so much as during pregnancy and postpartum. We are covering eating disorders, body image, trauma, and core beliefs. Join us to learn more! Andrea Wetterau is a mother of two and a therapist specializing in pregnancy, postpartum, and early parenting, specifically to empower people on their journey towa...

This episode is packed with useful information for everyone. We discuss ways high-functioning and over-functioning mothers can cope differently with the demands of motherhood. You’ll hear actionable tips and practical advice for anyone who feels caught in the grip of anxiety, whether occasionally or on a regular basis. Join us! Tracy Torelli is a therapist who has focused her career on disorders w...

Here in the last week of the year, we are wrapping up 2024 and another holiday season. Are you an exhausted mom? You’re not alone! It’s been a busy holiday season complete with all the pressure to be happy, do ALL the things, and present the picture of perfection. Your holidays might have been ugly and imperfect, and now you’re faced with the pressure of a new year and new resolutions to improve y...

Today’s guest is pioneering sweeping innovations in access to maternal and perinatal mental health care, changing the face of care for many women and families. The truth is that too many people are falling through the cracks in our US healthcare system, especially in the perinatal period. Join us to learn what Mamaya Health is doing to help revamp the system! Amy Green is the founder and CEO of Ma...

This episode covers an important topic geared toward therapists, perinatal mental health providers, and play therapists who want to have cultural humility with an anti-oppressive stance. You’ll learn what this means and how this viewpoint benefits the families affected by our work. Join us! Meyleen Velasquez is an immigrant Latinx psychotherapist specializing in perinatal and infant mental health....

A common issue that comes up frequently in therapy is taking medication during the perinatal period. There is much debate and many conflicting emotions about this decision of whether or not to take medication. It’s a personal choice that each person has to make, but we need to understand the emotional process around this decision. Join me for a closer look! Show Highlights: Medication should be vi...

In today’s episode, we discuss feminism, motherhood, and how to understand modern feminism, which may differ from how we’ve interpreted it in the past. Looking through a feminist lens can be supportive of moms and their partners. Join us! My guest is Erin Spahr, a licensed therapist, mother, feminist, podcast host, and maternal mental health advocate based in Raleigh, NC. She uses a feminist lens...