Providing Care and Support in a Time That Can Hold Such Polarizing Emotions

Antepartum, pregnancy, and postpartum are seasons often painted with society’s rose-colored glasses. We see images of glowing mothers and perfectly swaddled babies, but for many women, this season is far more complex.

As a mom of nearly two under two and a survivor of both traumatic pregnancy and birth, I know firsthand how challenging this journey can be. I am passionate about opening conversations around the real, often unspoken experiences of pregnancy and postpartum.

The Realities Many Women Face

Many women face infertility struggles, unwanted pregnancies, prenatal depression, medical trauma, or life circumstances that overshadow what is often expected to be a joyful season. The reality is, your experience is uniquely yours, and it doesn’t have to feel positive all the time.

You might feel:

• Excitement and fear at the same time

• Joy mixed with guilt

• Peace followed by waves of sadness or frustration

• Loneliness, even when surrounded by others

Some women have prayed, manifested, or deeply hoped for this season, while others find themselves mourning the life they had or the identity they have known. All of these feelings are valid.

Why Talking About It Matters

There is so much pressure on mothers to be grateful and happy, which can silence the real struggles happening underneath. Open, judgment-free conversation is essential during this season.

As a mental health provider, I am committed to creating a space where you can show up exactly as you are. Whether you are ready to process your birth story, explore your fears, grieve your old identity, or simply say out loud, “This is really hard,” you deserve a space to be seen and heard.

Support Is Available

While medication can be a valuable tool for some, many women benefit from non-pharmacological support, education, and consistent resources throughout their pregnancy and postpartum journey. Therapy, somatic practices, mindfulness, and community connection can help you feel supported while honoring the complexity of this season.

Holland Stidham Counseling Intern

Breaking the Silence: Navigating Maternal Mental Health Wellbeing

Maternal Mental Health is a topic not talked about enough and often misunderstood, yet it's a reality that countless women face every day. I have the honor of helping women by understanding, supporting, and empowering them as they navigate the complexities of motherhood. 

I wanted to take this opportunity during Maternal Mental Health Month to discuss this topic further, educate people, and break the stigma. 

First, let me define Maternal Mental Health(MMH): the emotional well-being of women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. It encompasses a range of mental health symptoms that affect mothers. The range under that MMH umbrella are postpartum depression, anxiety, psychosis, OCD, and PTSD. And Baby Blues, which is commonly used for what a mother is experiencing but tends to minimize it.  

 Here are some common signs to watch for and an excellent time to seek help: 

• Persistent Sadness

• Excessive Worry 

• Difficulty Bonding with the Baby 

• Changes in Sleep or Appetite

• Fatigue or Exhaustion

•  Irritability or Anger

• Intrusive Thoughts or Fears

• Social Withdrawal

• Loss of Interest or Pleasure

Maternal mental health is essential for mothers' and babies' well-being. Untreated issues can affect maternal bonding, infant development, and family dynamics, but seeking help from a healthcare provider specializing in perinatal mental health to get support can help. 

As a therapist, my foremost goal when working with my clients who are mothers is to create a safe and supportive space where they feel understood and validated. I want them to know that they are not alone. Throughout our therapy journey, I help them navigate their thoughts and emotions, teaching techniques to manage intrusive thoughts and regulate their emotions. Grounding exercises and other behavioral strategies become tools they can use daily to cope with challenges. I aim to destigmatize the use of medication for mental health issues, especially during the perinatal and postpartum periods. Drawing from my own experience as a mother who used medication during pregnancy and beyond, I emphasize the importance of informed decision-making. I am very grateful to my healthcare providers, who approach these decisions with empathy and understanding. Thank You! 

I hope we can continue to advocate for breaking the stigma surrounding maternal mental health, encouraging open conversations and acceptance of mental health challenges as a normal part of the motherhood journey with less guilt and shame!

Resources:

• Call or text Postpartum Support International Helpline at 800-944-4773

• Download the Connect App by PSI

• Call or Text 988

• Call or text the Maternal Mental Health Alliance Hotline 833-852-6262

Caitlin Hart LCPC NCC

Why Counseling?

Over the years as a mental health counselor, I have often heard from individuals “I am not in a crisis so I don't need counseling” or “I don’t want to take a spot from someone who really needs it”. Unfortunately, these statements just reinforce the stigma that counseling is only for people dealing with “real issues”. Which minimizes the truth, that we all can benefit from mental health counseling no matter what we are going through. In this blog, I want to highlight some important benefits of what the therapeutic process can provide for someone considering counseling, but who is still unsure if they “really need it”.

•  Feeling Heard - A mental health counselor holds space and listens without judgment.  There is no hierarchy of pain so no matter what is going on for someone, the counselor is the person who is just present and listens. Think, Brene Brown, they climb down and get in the hole with a person.

• Assist Positive Change -   A mental health counselor is educated and trained in various evidence-based modalities to promote balance in all life task areas. They do not avoid uncomfortable emotions or conversations, they lean into the discomfort and encourage the client to do the same. Because that is where change can happen. 

• Promote Balance -  Together in the therapeutic process, a client works to increase their insight into what they need for balance. This can be by improving communication skills, boundary setting, coping skills and more to improve their overall well-being. 

• Provide Connection -  They help navigate connections to outside resources within their community for additional support that may be needed. 

Overall, mental health counseling is a vulnerable but rewarding process that is beneficial for everyone, no matter what.  I would encourage all to take the step of making that first appointment because we all deserve to process emotions, seek change, and find balance in our lives. 

Caitlin Hart LCPC NCC

 Brené Brown