Support For Moms
Being a new mom is hard…
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the first year of motherhood. You’re raising another human being (s). Sometimes it is all you can do to get out of bed and dress yourself each day, let alone others. If you’re new to motherhood, or struggling with postpartum anxiety or depression, even seemingly minor tasks can feel too big to take care of. You’re not getting the sleep your body needs, you don’t feel like socializing with others, and your moods are difficult to manage. Your thoughts can race with worry as you find yourself thinking “what if this happens” and “what if that happens”, while feeling paralyzed and helpless. Things that wouldn’t have bothered you before becoming a mom are now the cause of intense agitation and stress. You find yourself snapping at loved ones impulsively, and it is difficult to control the extreme irritation you feel. You struggle with feeling guilt, as well as grief, when you think about the loss of freedom you feel. Sometimes you start crying and don’t think you’ll ever stop. This is supposed to be one of the happiest times in life, yet you feel overwhelmed, fearful, and anxious. You just want to feel better so you can enjoy your baby and experience joy.
The changing roles of motherhood…
You’ve survived the baby years and now you feel lost and confused as you navigate the challenges that go beyond formula, sleep training, and tummy-time. Your child’s needs change as they transition from baby, to toddler, to school-ager, then teen, with each new phase seeming more stressful than the one before. You’re not sure how to manage the tantrums of toddlerhood, for example, or maybe it’s figuring out the balance between supporting your teen’s independence while still setting limits. When you’re a mom to little ones, you worry about their safety when crossing the street, but as they age, those worries turn to another whole set of concerns such as fears around peer pressure, or the risky behaviors of sex & substance use. Nobody tells you how to be a mom, let alone explains how to adjust to your child’s changing needs as they get older. It’s ok if you haven’t figured it all out (pssst! nobody really has!), and it’s ok to seek out support to help you navigate and manage the stress from all the twists and turns of raising a human being.
Treatment for Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorders
I hold a PMH-C (perinatal mental health certification) through Postpartum Support International, and provide treatment to women struggling with perinatal mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and traumatic birth experiences. I help women manage symptoms of perinatal anxiety, OCD, panic, depression, bipolar d/o, and PTSD brought on by a traumatic birth or NICU stay. Together we will clarify what symptoms you are experiencing in order to determine the best treatment approach. I will help you develop tools and habits that will increase your confidence as a mother and help you feel better.
Parent Support
I provide therapy and support to moms who are parenting children at various stages of life, and are looking for support, education, and guidance on how to adjust to their child’s changing needs throughout development. I can help you learn effective parenting strategies for toddlers, school-agers, and teens depending on the various challenges you are encountering. I will help you decide which parenting strategy would be best for you and your child, and I can help you implement whichever approach feels best. I also provide support to moms who know exactly which strategies to use, but just need a non-judgemental space to express feelings, vent frustrations, and find healthy ways to manage stress.
How Do I Get Started?
Start a Conversation
Send Carrie an email, contact her via the form below, or give her a call.
Book Appointment
Ready to take the next step? Book an appointment with Carrie.
Prep for Your Session
Complete the intake forms to give Carrie a snapshot of what you are feeling and where you want to be.
Common Questions
Are you going to tell me how to parent my child?
A therapist’s role is not to tell you what to do, or how to parent your child. A therapist is a facilitator of your own growth process. I can present research evidence and provide information on parenting strategies, for example, but it would never be my role to tell you what to do. You know your child best and are the expert on what will best help your relationship with your child.
Will my insurance cover this?
I am currently in-network with Aetna, UHC, and Medical Mutual insurances. Therapy is covered under your mental health or behavioral health services, however, every plan is different. Some plans require copays , for example, and others have limits on the number of sessions your plan will cover per calendar year. Some plans require a deductible be met before it will kick in. Since it is difficult for me to know the individual benefits of all my patients, I strongly encourage you to reach out to your insurance provider and become acquainted with the specific benefits you are eligible for through your policy.
What if I need marriage counseling?
I do not provide marriage counseling but can offer a referral to a qualified provider who does.
Do you offer Family Therapy?
I will incorporate family sessions that are woven into an individual’s treatment planning needs if so desired and indicated. I do not provide exclusively family therapy to someone who is only seeking that service alone.
How long is each session?
Each session will last anywhere from 45 minutes to 60 minutes, depending on the topic we are covering that particular day.
Do you offer crisis sessions?
Though I am sometimes able to add an unplanned session to my schedule for various needs that may occasionally arise, therapy is not a crisis resource as I cannot guarantee I will be available if an urgent need arises. During your first session, we will discuss crises resources you can utilize in the event of an emergency. You can also always call 911 if you feel you are in imminent danger.
Do you assist in custody disputes?
No. My professional training is in the practice of therapy. I am not able to offer legal advice or make custody recommendations. In the event I were to be subpoenaed, I would not be able to offer any information that would be helpful in a custody dispute since custody recommendations are beyond my scope of practice. I also charge my full fee for the time it would take to attend court hearings for which I am subpoenaed, to be paid a day in advance of the hearing.
Contact Carrie
Ask a question or book an appointment below.
For emergencies call 911 or visit your nearest hospital