"You must be so excited!" Feels like the only thing you're allowed to feel when you're pregnant or just had a baby.

And scared, overwhelmed, sad. And don't forget feeling guilty that you're not feeling pure excitement and awe. If this is you, please know you're not alone or broken.

These complex emotions are especially difficult for people who have: experienced pregnancy loss, had difficulty conceiving, have learned difficult news about their pregnancy, had always envisioned themselves as mothers, have been very sick, have a strained relationship with or lost a parent or loved one, hadn't planned on this pregnancy, were hoping to make partner or get a promotion soon, whose relationship is not the most stable or healthy, have never experienced mental health concerns before, had been in remission and feeling greater stability in their mental health… and now these feelings, these unexpected and unwelcome extra emotions are here intruding on "what's supposed to be" the joyful party.

One of the areas I am most passionate about in my work is supporting neurodivergent women across the lifespan. For many of the women and girls I see, the process of undergoing neuropsychological testing is profoundly validating. Going through the process of testing is not about labeling what is “wrong” with them—it’s about illuminating how their brains work. Their brains simply work differently, and that difference deserves to be recognized and respected.

Many students feel pressure to “have it all figured out.” How does that pressure impact mental health? 

“Pressure impacts mental health significantly. While having goals can be motivating, the  expectation can place a significant burden on students’ mental health. This could lead to them  comparing themselves to peers who “seem” more confident about their path, causing them to  question if they’re “behind”. On the flip side, others may become too fixated on making the  “right” choice; they feel overwhelmed by making decisions or avoiding taking chances all  together. It is important for students to know that uncertainty is normal. These are times for  learning, exploration, and growth…not to have everything mapped out.”

I am just another woman diagnosed with ADHD much later in life.

When I was younger, I blamed both the hyperactivity and the inattention on anxiety. Being unfocused was justified by an upcoming test. Racing thoughts clouded my mind, causing me to misplace just about everything. I got in trouble for tapping under my desk because… well… I’m a tap dancer. An anxious tap dancer.

What is attachment trauma, and how does it often show up in adult relationships?

“Attachment trauma occurs in early childhood when our fundamental needs are unmet or inconsistently met. It manifests in adult relationships as a fear of abandonment, rejection, or being alone, feeling overwhelmed by our partner's emotional needs, or distrusting healthy love when it is presented.”

What made you passionate about specializing in mental health for women and girls?
"I feel a deep sense of connection and community with other women by virtue of our shared experiences. Even though I work with women from all walks of life, who have experiences that differ from mine, there are certain things about which we have a shared understanding—something we don’t even need to speak to know it’s there. I’ve witnessed firsthand the amazing things women are capable of when we support and uplift each other, and I wanted my life’s work to reflect that."