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  • 432: From Pain to Purpose: Building Resources for Perinatal Mental Health After Birth Trauma with Beth Partain, LCSW

    432: From Pain to Purpose: Building Resources for Perinatal Mental Health After Birth Trauma with Beth Partain, LCSW
    2025/07/28
    Today’s guest is sharing her story as a survivor of postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, and birth trauma caused by random placental abruption. She is also a NICU mama who learned to balance parenting with the start of her psychotherapy practice to bring therapy to a rural area. Her story has multi-faceted, beautiful parts, and we are honored to have her here. Beth Partain is a licensed clinical social worker and the mother of three beautiful children. She founded Flourish Counseling and Consulting in 2020 to empower women and bring specialized perinatal expertise to an area where it was previously inaccessible. Her passion stemmed from her experience with the local hospital as she struggled through PPD, PPA, and birth/NICU trauma. Beth is the first mental health provider in Owensboro, KY, and the western Kentucky area to have a perinatal mental health certification. She serves on the new Maternal Health Council at her hospital and is a Blue Dot Ambassador, working in advocacy with the Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance. She has led two PSI Climbs in Owensboro. Beth works hard to help train local healthcare workers and therapists to identify PMADs from a trauma-informed care focus. Show Highlights: Beth’s story: Her first pregnancy was normal until a random placental abruption at 34 weeks forced an emergency C-section, a three-week NICU stay, and almost zero mental health support. Placental abruption: what it is, how it is detected, and the results Beth’s shock and surprise at how quickly things changed and progressed to an unexpected birth, and navigating a NICU stay for her baby Looking back at the mental health struggles for Beth and her husband, with no support Beth’s realization that she had postpartum depression and anxiety, but did not have access to help Finding help and starting therapy (as a therapist) Making the difficult decision to have another child and grow their family further Beth’s commitment to bringing perinatal care to her rural area and training more providers in the care that she wished she could have had Making connections and partnering with PSI Great strides of progress and encouraging outcomes in changing the PNMH climate in Beth’s area of Kentucky Resources: Flourish Counseling and Consulting Connect with Beth Partain: Facebook Call the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA or visit cdph.ca.gov Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to be more supportive in offering services. You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course. Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today! If you are a California resident looking for a therapist in perinatal mental health, email me about openings for private pay clients! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    42 分
  • 431: Behind the Sessions: Letting go of Guilt About Not Being Present in Postpartum

    431: Behind the Sessions: Letting go of Guilt About Not Being Present in Postpartum
    2025/07/24
    Today’s episode explores a crucial topic that warrants our attention. We are discussing the after-effects of postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, and perinatal mental health conditions. The lingering sense of guilt, sadness, regret, grief, anger, and frustration comes as a result of feeling that you weren’t present during the postpartum time. How much time does it take to “make up” for that time that you felt disconnected and anything but joyful about motherhood? Do you feel that you missed important milestones in your baby’s life? All of these are important questions that many mothers wrestle with in a constant mental battle. Let’s take a closer look. Show Highlights: Where does the unreasonable pressure come from? Are you punishing yourself? The truth: You WERE there in all the ways you could manage at the time. You do acts of love and caring, even if you don’t feel like doing them. What you need now is what you needed then: compassion, support, and loving thoughts. Self-compassion brings gentleness into the picture. Healing needs to happen (and that means allowing yourself to grieve). Dr. Kat leads a healing exercise to try on your own. (Try it!) Your healing is valid and worthwhile, even if you can’t see it yourself. Resources: Call the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA or visit cdph.ca.gov Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to be more supportive in offering services. You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms. Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course. Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today! If you are a California resident looking for a therapist in perinatal mental health, email me about openings for private pay clients! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    27 分
  • 430: When Suffering is Minimized: The Journey Through Undiagnosed Pregnancy and Postpartum Mood Disorders with Alyssa Verge

    430: When Suffering is Minimized: The Journey Through Undiagnosed Pregnancy and Postpartum Mood Disorders with Alyssa Verge
    2025/07/21
    We are hearing Alyssa’s story in today’s episode. She shares her experience with postpartum anxiety, depression, and OCD, as well as her lifelong battle for mental health. We’ve discussed many times on the podcast that a history of mental health issues is a significant risk factor for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. Because Alyssa did not get the help she needed when she needed it most, she has become a passionate advocate and supporter of other moms and families facing these issues. Alyssa Verge is a 31-year-old mom of a two-year-old and the stepmom of an eight-year-old. After her child was born, she was diagnosed with postpartum depression and anxiety and eventually with postpartum OCD. She’s passionate about mental health and healing generational trauma. Show Highlights: The birth story of Alyssa’s son, when she felt the “baby blues” immediately after his birth Being told everything she was feeling was “normal,” even though she was sincere and open about her experience Alyssa’s husband finally found a therapist for her because he knew this couldn’t be normal. Alyssa’s relief when she found out her feelings weren’t normal, and she was diagnosed with postpartum depression and anxiety The prevalence of OCD, which wasn’t identified for several months Unnatural fears about leaving the house and getting sick OCD was manifested in her body’s refusal to take medication, even though it was what she wanted to do to get better. Therapy tools that didn’t help for Alyssa: exposure therapy, scripts, positive brain talk Feeling guilty for being a burden and not being able to get better Finding balance in looking for support, with boundaries Alyssa’s advice to others about accepting “normal,” having patience, and finding help Resources: Connect with Alyssa Verge: Instagram Call the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA or visit cdph.ca.gov Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to be more supportive in offering services. You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course. Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today! If you are a California resident seeking a therapist in perinatal mental health, please email me about openings for private pay clients. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    43 分
  • 429: “Mothershift: Reclaiming Motherhood as a Rite of Passage” with Jessie Harrold, Author, Coach, and Doula

    429: “Mothershift: Reclaiming Motherhood as a Rite of Passage” with Jessie Harrold, Author, Coach, and Doula
    2025/07/14
    Today’s topic is all things matrescence as we look at the book, Mothershift: Reclaiming Motherhood as a Rite of Passage. We will discuss the process of matrescence and the developmental steps that many people do not understand. Join us to learn more! Jessie Harrold is a coach and doula who has been supporting women through radical life transformations and other rites of passage for over 15 years. She works one-on-one with women and mothers to facilitate mentorship programs, women’s circles, rituals, retreats, and nature-based experiences. Jessie is the author of Mothershift: Reclaiming Motherhood as a Rite of Passage and Project Body Love: my quest to love my body and the surprising truth I found instead. She also hosts The Becoming Podcast. Jessie lives on the east coast of Canada, where she raises her two children, writes, and tends the land. Show Highlights: What is matrescence? Comparisons between matrescence and adolescence (both transitions are processes that take time) Jessie’s model of matrescence: The Four Elements of Radical Transformation: Earth – Orient yourself to what’s true, and name the change. Water – (Think tears.) Grief over the self you were before this transformation is a normal part of transitioning to motherhood. Air – The liminal space of the “in-between” when you haven’t fully integrated into the identity of being a mother. Fire – An igniting of the ember within you as you integrate into the identity of motherhood. This motherhood transition is an opportunity to let go of other things that aren’t serving us well. Systemic factors that force women into “losing themselves in motherhood” The challenges we face in motherhood are part of the development into matrescence, but we still need the tools and resources to navigate them. “The Mother Powers”- the things that help us get through matrescence Matrescence is a beautiful process. A glimpse into Jessie’s next book project Resources: Connect with Jessie Harrold: Website, Instagram, Email, Mothershift: Reclaiming Motherhood as a Rite of Passage, Project Body Love: my quest to love my body and the surprising truth I found instead, and The Becoming Podcast. Call the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA or visit cdph.ca.gov Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to be more supportive in offering services. You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course. Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today! If you are a California resident looking for a therapist in perinatal mental health, email me about openings for private pay clients. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    43 分
  • 428: Behind the Sessions: The Weight of the Mental Load

    428: Behind the Sessions: The Weight of the Mental Load
    2025/07/10
    The end of the school year and the transition to summer bring different types of mental load for parents. There is a shift in schedule, priorities, and what you’re thinking about each day, and there can be more to manage, especially for the default parent who usually takes care of everything. It’s a different type of stress, but it is stress nonetheless. There can be a wide variance in the load you carry, depending on your partner and other supports you have in place. We must acknowledge that the mental load is an invisible load yet a significant burden; it’s a labor of thinking, remembering, organizing, and planning that keeps the family and household running smoothly. It can all be overwhelming! Join me in today’s episode for a closer look. Show Highlights: The constant hum in your mind of all that needs to be done The potential for contention between parents in remembering ALL the details (along with anxiety, depression, and disconnection) Remember that two things can be true at the same time! Partnership is essential in co-parenting and co-managing the household. Examples of how a partner can step in to help in meaningful ways: taking over specific tasks, being emotionally present, and having a weekly time for an honest check-in with each other Advice to moms and dads for communicating and validating each other Setting boundaries, saying NO, letting go of some tasks, and asking for help The importance of finding community, connection, and support groups Key takeaways from Dr. Kat: “Acknowledge your feelings, state them aloud, and share them. Only then can you start to change.” Resources: Call the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA or visit cdph.ca.gov Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to be more supportive in offering services. You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course. Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today! If you are a California resident looking for a therapist in perinatal mental health, email me about openings for private pay clients! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    37 分
  • 427: Breaking Down the Supermom Fallacy with Stacy McCann, LCSW

    427: Breaking Down the Supermom Fallacy with Stacy McCann, LCSW
    2025/07/07
    Have you felt the pressure to be a “supermom”? We are examining the supermom fallacy, which often accompanies thoughts like, “I’m a failure, I can’t keep up with this, and I’m a bad mom.” The problem with trying to be a supermom is the impact on mental health. This theme commonly comes up in therapy, and the idea that we have to do everything and do it well is too much pressure! Join us as we explore this topic, which will resonate with many people. Stacy McCann is a licensed mental health therapist and the owner of Present Moment Counseling Services, specializing in motherhood, postpartum, and beyond. She works with mothers to help them cope with the challenges of motherhood, including burnout, overwhelm, overstimulation, self-advocacy, and an equitable mental and physical load at home. Stacy launched the Supermom Dropout Club, a virtual community for moms who want to take up space, use their voice, and leave their supermom capes behind. She is the mom of a sweet and spicy 5-year-old and lives in the St. Louis area, where she enjoys gardening, cooking, and traveling. Show Highlights: Stacy’s path through social work, parent education, and her motherhood specialty today Common characteristics of maternal burnout: overwhelm, loss of identity, feeling invisible, and giving everything they have to others Trying to live up to the “ideal motherhood experience” is impossible! Solutions for moms: Prioritize your own needs and use the right words to talk about it Dealing with the workload at home from a logistics standpoint (How to handle this task with your partner through open communication about standards of care) We still need a shift to support working parents and postpartum mothers. Thoughts on men’s roles in the home, offering emotional support, and bonding more with their babies in the postpartum period The need for help in shifting societal expectations about what makes a good dad: What does it mean to lead and support your family? The influence of social media on parenting Stacy’s virtual community, The Supermom Dropout Club, and the support it offers Resources: Connect with Stacy McCann: Website and Instagram Call the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA or visit cdph.ca.gov Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to be more supportive in offering services. You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course. Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today! If you are a California resident looking for a therapist in perinatal mental health, email me about openings for private pay clients! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    46 分
  • 426: Healing Journey After Postpartum Psychosis, with Nancy Di Nuzzo

    426: Healing Journey After Postpartum Psychosis, with Nancy Di Nuzzo
    2025/06/29
    Today’s guest shares her story of postpartum psychosis, including the contributing factors, navigating the healthcare system, the overall lack of understanding of PMADs, and the preventative actions she took for her second pregnancy. She shares how her experience propelled her to take considerable steps to help and support others. Nancy Di Nuzzo, a mother of two, is an accountant-turned-postpartum doula. She is the founder of Anamav Postnatal Care, an agency providing comprehensive postpartum care in the Greater Toronto area. Their services include doula support, lactation support, psychotherapy, and sleep coaching. Nancy was inspired to create Anamav after her own traumatic postpartum experiences. As a perinatal mental health advocate, she is fiercely determined to support new parents and families to help fill the gaps in our healthcare system. Show Highlights: Nancy’s first pregnancy experience with her daughter, born in 2020: In summary, sleep deprivation led to the first postpartum psychotic episode and subsequent hospitalization. The labor and delivery and the first five days postpartum, when everything changed for Nancy Feeling the intensity of hyperdrive and an overwhelming need for perfection Hallucinations (not threatening or violent) and a break from reality that prompted a call to 911 A shocking twist: The ER records showed suspected postpartum psychosis, but they still discharged Nancy and prescribed sleeping pills; she ended up back there three days later. Cultural stigma and family interference that did not help Nancy Nancy’s misdiagnosis from the psychiatrist: A bipolar disorder that required lifelong medication The first night in the hospital and the traumatic events that still haunt Nancy’s memories Reconnecting with her daughter after a week-long stay in the hospital Preparing for a second pregnancy with preventative measures–and finding a very different birth and postpartum experience in 2023 Nancy’s perspective on what SHOULD have happened during her first pregnancy and how we can do better in the area of awareness The facts: Every postpartum journey is different; problems can happen with a first, second, or third pregnancy—or with none at all. Anamav Postnatal and how they work to help others Resources: Connect with Nancy Di Nuzzo and Anamav Postnatal: Website and Instagram Call the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA or visit cdph.ca.gov Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone or text at 1-800-944-4773. There are many free resources available, including online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to become more supportive in offering services. You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course. Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today! If you are a California resident looking for a therapist in perinatal mental health, email me about openings for private pay clients! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    50 分
  • 425: Behind the Sessions: Declines in Maternal Health and Mental Health

    425: Behind the Sessions: Declines in Maternal Health and Mental Health
    2025/06/26
    Today’s episode focuses on a recent article in JAMA Internal Medicine regarding maternal mental health in the United States. I’ll explain and summarize the study and results, and discuss the most appropriate next steps. Since I’m presenting the information in summary form, please read the article for yourself by clicking the link in the Resources section for this episode. Show Highlights: The findings of this study are sobering and validating. Scope and value of research findings like this to “fill the gap” in maternal mental health The details of the study subjects: 198,000+ US mothers from 2016-2023 who self-reported their physical and mental health The key findings: The percentage of mothers reporting a rating of “excellent” mental health dropped dramatically during the time frame, the percentage reporting “fair” or “poor” mental health increased, and the trend of declining maternal mental health crosses through all socio-economic groups. The key factors contributing to maternal mental health conditions Results of the study show that we need more investment into the underlying causes of mental health decline, especially for lower socio-economic status moms. Moms are suffering under the weight of silence, stigma, shame, and societal expectations. Studies like this one are vital to break down barriers to care and support. Learning to identify your needs, choose rest when needed, and prioritize self-compassion What we can do to help: offer screenings at multiple points, effect policy change, and find positive ways to support the entire family system. Resources: Read the JAMA article, “Trends and Disparities in Maternal Self-Reported Mental and Physical Health.” Click here. Call the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA or visit cdph.ca.gov Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. There are many free resources available, including online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to become more supportive in offering services. You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course. Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today! If you are a California resident looking for a therapist in perinatal mental health, email me about openings for private pay clients! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    30 分