Supporting Emotional Health Through Perinatal Counseling

I provide evidence-based perinatal counseling in Idaho and Washington State, supporting individuals through pregnancy, postpartum, abortion, and loss. My work focuses on regulating the nervous system and cultivating emotional groundedness during times of profound change.

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What Is Perinatal Counseling and Why It Matters

Perinatal counseling is a specialized form of therapy designed to support individuals during the time before, during, and after pregnancy. This transformative period is one of the most profound and delicate in a person’s life, marked by significant physical changes and deep emotional shifts. It often brings challenges to identity, relationships, and personal priorities, while also affecting the nervous system. For many, this time triggers complex emotions such as anxiety, sadness, guilt, or grief, which can feel overwhelming and hard to articulate.

Mother holding infant receiving perinatal care

Understanding the Mental Load of Pregnancy and Postpartum

The perinatal period is deeply transformative and can significantly impact emotional well-being, often bringing changes in identity, relationships, and personal priorities, while also affecting the nervous system. Research shows that 1 in 7 individuals experience perinatal depression, and 1 in 10 experience anxiety or other mood disorders during or after pregnancy. Postpartum mood disorders do not stem from weakness. They reflect how your nervous system adapts to overwhelming change. Emotional intensity, hormonal shifts, disrupted sleep, and previous trauma can all play a role. These challenges are real, and support can make a meaningful and lasting difference.

couple on a session with a perinatal mental health specialist

My Approach to Perinatal Psychotherapy

Blending multiple therapeutic methods tailored to perinatal mental health services, such as Internal Family Systems (IFS), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and somatic practices rooted in neuroscience, I offer a deeply personalized and integrative approach to recovery. With these methods, I allow for a holistic exploration of both current struggles and past wounds that may resurface during the perinatal journey.

I also provide psychoeducation on nervous system regulation, shifts in identity, and the emotional changes that often accompany this stage of life. By exploring how the brain and body respond to stress, clients develop both insight and practical strategies to navigate their experiences with greater clarity and self-compassion. Recovery and personal growth are rarely linear, but with the right support, the process can become a deeply meaningful journey.

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    Internal Family Systems (IFS)

    I help you explore the parts of yourself that may carry fear, guilt, or unresolved pain — often intensified during pregnancy or postpartum. Through this process, you can build inner harmony and resilience as you navigate this major life transition.

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    Somatic Therapy

    I incorporate body-based techniques that help regulate your nervous system and process stress or trauma stored in the body. These practices foster a sense of safety, grounding, and emotional ease.

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    Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

    Together, we examine thought patterns that may contribute to anxiety, depression, or overwhelm. By challenging unhelpful beliefs and reinforcing healthier perspectives, CBT supports emotional clarity and confidence in your daily life.

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    Psychoeducation & Identity Work

    I provide insight into the psychological and neurological shifts that often accompany parenthood — from identity transformation to emotional regulation. Understanding these changes can empower you with tools for self-compassion, emotional literacy, and informed decision-making.

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A Compassionate and Collaborative Approach to Perinatal Support

 

  • We begin with a free 15-minute consultation to explore your concerns (whether you're navigating pregnancy, postpartum adjustments, loss, or decision-making around parenthood) and to see if we are a good fit.

  • In your first full session, we explore your emotional landscape, personal history, and current stressors, including how your nervous system is responding to the intensity of this season.

  • Your plan is crafted using evidence-based methods and trauma-informed practices to fit your needs and goals.

  • Weekly sessions support emotional processing, coping strategies, and nervous system regulation.

  • We check in regularly, revisiting your goals and evolving the process with you for lasting growth.

Join the Postpartum Support Group for First-Time Mothers

 

A Safe Space to Connect, Recover, and Be Seen

Motherhood is one of life’s most profound transitions and it does not come with a manual. Our Postpartum Support Group is an intimate, 8-week gathering for first-time mothers with infants 0–6 months. Together, we share stories, practice mindfulness, and explore emotional well-being through self-compassion. Whether you are adjusting to sleepless nights, struggling with identity shifts, or processing a difficult birth, you are welcome here.

Details:

  • Duration: 8 weekly sessions (90 mins each)

  • Cost: $360 total (sliding scale available)

  • Group Size: Up to 8 mothers

  • Start Date: November 2025

  • How to Join: Fill out the contact form below and we will follow up with next steps.

Books That Bring Support and Insight

  • Good Moms Have Scary Thoughts – Karen Kleiman

    An honest, supportive look at postpartum anxiety and intrusive thoughts.

  • When Survivors Give Birth – Penny Simkin & Phyllis Klaus

    For trauma survivors navigating the journey through pregnancy and birth.

  • The Fourth Trimester – Kimberly Ann Johnson

    A guide to holistic recovery and self-healing after childbirth.

  • Motherhood Unstressed – Liz Carlile

    A mindfulness and self-care guide for emotionally grounded parenting.

  • This Season – Jimmi Sivia

    A tender reflection on motherhood, change, and the seasons that shape us.

FAQs

  • Perinatal counseling supports emotional well-being during the time before, during, and after pregnancy. This transformative period can bring challenges related to trauma, identity shifts, relationship changes, mood disorders, and adjustments to new roles and responsibilities. Through compassionate, evidence-based care, perinatal counseling offers a safe space to explore these changes, build emotional resilience, and reconnect with a deeper sense of self.

  • Occasional stress is natural, but prolonged emotional strain, anxiety, or trauma responses can impact both you and your child. If you are feeling overwhelmed, my perinatal mental health services can help create calm and emotional safety.

  • The perinatal period spans from conception (or even before, in the case of trying to conceive) through the first two years after birth. It encompasses pregnancy, childbirth, and the emotional and psychological transitions into parenthood. This period also includes experiences of pregnancy loss, infant loss, abortion, and the decisions surrounding these events. Perinatal counseling provides crucial support throughout this time, helping individuals navigate the complexities of fertility, pregnancy, pregnancy loss, abortion, and early parenthood.

  • Sleep is essential for emotional and physical well-being, especially during the perinatal period. Disrupted sleep can intensify symptoms of anxiety, depression, and overwhelm, making it harder to cope with new demands. During perinatal counseling, individuals understand how sleep deprivation affects the nervous system and emotional regulation, and learn strategies to promote rest and recovery where possible.

  • Not everyone needs medication, but for some individuals, it can be a helpful part of a comprehensive perinatal mental health plan. This is a highly personal decision best made with the support of your therapist, or psychiatrist.

  • Nutrition plays a meaningful role in perinatal mental health. Balanced, nourishing meals can help stabilize mood, reduce inflammation, and support brain function. That said, we recognize that eating well can be challenging amid fatigue, nausea, or emotional stress. During perinatal counseling, you will receive guidance on building sustainable routines that nourish both body and mind.