Find peace
Perinatal Mental Health for Anxious Moms
I Know that you want to feel at ease.
Nobody expects to feel paralyzed by fear or compulsive behavior during the perinatal period. You thought you would feel excited, bathing in the warmth of oxytocin. After all, that’s what you were told.
Social media paints a picture of a glowing pregnancy and leisurely postpartum.
That’s not the reality for so many women and I’m here to tell you, there’s nothing wrong with you if you aren’t having the experience you expected. You’ve just been given an incomplete picture of how challenging this time can be for so many.
You deserve to feel good from the inside out…tired, but glad you invited this precious new life into your family. You deserve to feel confident in your ability to keep your child safe and to feel settled within yourself.
Common ways perinatal anxiety shows up:
Constantly feeling on edge, unable to let your guard down, or waking in the night fearful that something terrible might happen
Collecting all the monitors (yes, even the sock!) to constantly check on babies health
Worrying that you might hurt the baby but you’re too afraid to tell anyone because they might judge you
Avoiding people and places that you feel may harm your baby or cause illness
Inability to stop thinking about health or cleanliness as it relates to baby
Compulsively checking on baby or micromanaging other’s interactions with the baby
There is good news…
It is possible to feel calm and secure as a new mom. It is possible to regain your sense of self and eliminate distressing or intrusive thoughts.
Together, we’ll work on…
Learning to calm anxious thoughts and reduce panic
Understanding the physiologic + identity shifts contributing to anxiety
Developing coping skills for uncertainty and loss of control
Improving sleep and enhancing emotional regulation
Addressing birth trauma or previous pregnancy losses
Strengthening confidence in yourself as a parent
Therapy is tailored to your unique experience, whether your anxiety began during pregnancy or after delivery.
What sets me apart?
I hold advanced certifications that support my specialties so that you are getting a therapist who is not only interested but uniquely trained to address your concerns. I’m gentle but intentional, with a relational approach that honors your unique personhood.
Certified Grief Therapist
Trauma Certified in Multiple Modalities
Advanced (In)Fertility, IVF, + Third Party Reproduction Training
Perinatal Mental Health Certified
Miscarriage, TFMR, Stillbirth, + Child Loss Provider
LGBTQ+ and Culturally Affirming Care Trained
15 years Specialized Experience
I Understand Deeply and Personally
Clinical Recommendations
Rachael is a kind and caring professional, who provides gold standard services. When working with her, you will find yourself in expert hands. She leans on collaboration and empathy in her work, and I would highly recommend her to anyone seeking support.
Dr. Hayley Bell
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Rachael creates a therapeutic space with her gentle, open-hearted, and nurturing presence. She is an excellent listener, and she is thorough with an astute attention to detail. She has a uniquely strong ability to organize and navigate especially complex situations and she does so with great kindness and patience. I recommend my patients to her without hesitation.
Dr. Kendra Levi
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I highly recommend Rachael as a support for women navigating anxiety and trauma healing. She is organized, caring, and genuinely interested in creating positive change in her community.
Monique Bellefleur
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Your perinatal experience doesn’t have to be so lonely.
It’s time to invest in the care you need to become the mother you want to be.
Don’t let another endlessly long day pass you by while you struggle to stay afloat. Support is here for you now.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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It is common for women to experience anxiety during and after pregnancy for many reasons. Fluctuating hormones obviously play a role in your mental wellbeing. Your ability to tolerate lack of control over something so precious to you is also a driving factor.
When you don’t feel like yourself and you’re responsible for someone so fragile, anxiety is expected. If you’d like to learn more, reach out and I’d be happy to answer your questions.
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No! Absolutely not. You are navigating one of the most radical transformations of your life. Intense emotional expereinces are a part of that process. If you are concerned that your experiences aren’t normal, please reach out. I’d love to provide insight or offer resources to support you.
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There isn’t a bad time to see a therapist. It’s a great way to increase self awareness, grow in the ways you relate to yourself and others, and build valuable skills that will be useful to your throughout your lifetime.
If you are in a place where you often feel anxious, depressed, or overwhelmed and your challenges are increasing, that would be a very good time to see a therapist.
We all have difficult times in our lives but we aren’t meant to navigate them alone. Reaching out for support is an act of care for yourself and your baby.