About me

Philosophy

I deeply understand the emotional complexities that often arise during pregnancy and in the postpartum period, and use compassion to promote healing, growth, and wellness. My style is collaborative, empathetic, sincere, and validating as we cultivate a safe and trusting relationship/partnership to address areas of concern and repair relationships with yourself and others. Approaching each client with honor and respect while acknowledging the courage it takes to be vulnerable and willing to change are among my core values. I utilize evidence-based strategies that pair with your individual needs, specific circumstances, and unique goals while we explore your thoughts, feelings, and experiences together. My approach is strengths-based and focuses on promoting greater authenticity, hope, and meaning by building upon your strengths and abilities to overcome challenges you may be facing. 

I am open and nonjudgmental, supporting you in feeling whatever emotions arise and in building self-compassion for your unique experience, whatever phase you're in. This approach empowers you to identify your needs, discover solutions, expand perspectives, and feel connected and confident in your parenthood. This is a space for you to feel seen, heard, and understood. Sessions are offered for partners and family members as education, and context can be instrumental in strengthening communication and relational support. We continuously evaluate progress, allowing for a dynamic and responsive approach. Together, we will explore and create sustainable coping skills to foster resilience and promote mental wellness. My goal is for you to feel more capable of living the life you want as a result of our time together.

Specialty Areas

Prenatal and postpartum mental health: Anxiety, Depression, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, and Post-traumatic stress

Many women (1 in 5) and partners/fathers (1 in 10) feel sad, anxious, stressed, and struggle to find joy or experience barriers connecting with their pregnancy or baby. You are not alone, and it is not your fault. I am passionate about working with women and parents experiencing perinatal anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress, and obsessive-compulsive disorders. I also have experience working with parents navigating pediatric medical complexity and end of life.

Whether you are just starting the process of trying to conceive, in the throes of fertility treatment, pregnant/postpartum, or years into child rearing — I can help you find relief and reconnect with what matters most to you. 

Transitioning to motherhood and adjustment to parenting

Parenthood is a transformative process. It comes with its own anticipation, stress, sorrow, and joy. Feeling overwhelmed, uncertain, and exhausted are common experiences. I provide a supportive and nonjudgmental space for parents to navigate parenting challenges and ease the transition to parenthood. We will focus on turning away from perfection and comparison and invite in essential emotional and practical support. With encouragement, normalization, identification of your needs and values, understanding your own upbringing, and tools to help you through the adjustment, you can move through this time with a greater sense of perspective, self-compassion, and enjoyment. 

infertility, reproductive challenges

The intensity of a person's desire to become a parent is often matched by the complexity of the emotional maze they encounter when trying to conceive. Although one in eight couples in the US experience infertility, it's often unspoken — breeding feelings of isolation and shame, and you may also feel very alone. Emotional and physical stress and exhaustion may be coupled with anxious anticipation and waves of sorrow.

In our work together, you will be supported in processing the weight of the uncertainty and grief for the loss of becoming pregnant the way you expected. You will also be supported in processing the confusion and frustration that diminishes trust in your body, feelings of isolation, self-blame, enviousness, and shame to help you make space for courage, self-compassion, and hope to grow. We will also discuss ways for you to incorporate self-nurturing and healthy habits to restore wellness, balance and peace back into your life.

You will also be supported in exploring options that feel right for you and your family, including the decision to continue or discontinue fertility treatments or consider other options for parenting, such as third-party assisted reproduction or adoption. Together, we'll work towards helping you to gain perspective and to live a full life in the present even as you hope for the future. We will also discuss ways to keep your relationship with your partner strong so that you can effectively lean on each other for support during this challenging time.

Women's health, depression, anxiety, stress, and adjustment

Life brings transitions and challenges, which can be overwhelming, for all of us. I specialize in helping women be the parent, partner, friend, and person they want to be. Feeling stuck and stressed in work, relationships, parenting, or in choices which are not leading us in the direction we want to go can make us feel anxious and depressed. I believe through understanding and self-awareness, we can move towards becoming our true selves, navigating the challenges, and experience life more fully. As awareness of our fears, perceptions, desires, and strengths increase, we can make meaningful life changes and increase our sense of connectedness and purpose. You deserve to be supported and to be well.

Inner critic, perfectionism, low self-worth 

We all strive to be kind to others and often reserve the harshest words and judgments for ourselves. We often compare ourselves to others and set unrealistic expectations, which can lead to resentment and low self-worth. We think we have to "do it all" and be everything to everyone.

Self-compassion is a powerful antidote to self-criticism. It allows for humility when the anthem of perfectionism ricochets around in our thoughts. Focusing on our own needs and healing can help improve our ability to care for ourselves and our families.

Creating space for authenticity with self is the first step in living a more authentic life with fewer shoulds, shame, and emotion-driven decision-making. Together, we will explore how you respond to uncomfortable feelings and find healthier, more productive and genuine ways of responding that fit with your values and move you closer to your full potential in all areas of your life. I will walk alongside you as you reconnect with yourself in a kind and authentic way.

Certifications

Perinatal Mental Health Certification from Postpartum Support International

Professional Memberships and Associations

DC Perinatal Mental Health Collaborative

Additional Areas of Expertise

Adjustment and coping with medical and genetic diagnosis in pregnancy and postpartum
Adjusting to Life Transitions
Anxiety
Birth Trauma
Depression
Developing Autonomy and Confidence
Generalized Anxiety
Grief and loss of pregnancy or infant
Infertility and Reproductive Challenges
Life Stress
Life Transitions
Maternal Depression
Maternal Anxiety
Parenting
Perfectionism
Personal Growth
Pregnancy
Prenatal Anxiety
Prenatal Depression
Postpartum Adjustment
Postpartum Anxiety
Postpartum Depression
Postpartum Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Self-Care
Self-Criticism
Strengthening Parent-Child Attachment
Stress Management
Termination of Pregnancy for Medical Reasons
Work Stress

more about ME

hobbies + what I like to do for fun

In my free time, I enjoy gardening, home renovation projects, spending time with my family, and learning new things!

favorite QUOTES

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