Parental Mental Health

Mental health support for parents of all orientations,
with a specific focus to uplift birth parents from traditionally imbalanced roles of caregiving in parenthood.

Support for individual wellbeing, connected partnership, and healthy family whole.

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Here are my resources for all parents, with special focus on moms+*, birth parents, and primary parents. These folks tend to take on the vast majority of care giving in parenthood. I want to share resources that help couples and families create intentional equitable roles and support for each family member. I want moms and dads alike and families of all interactions to feel empowered as a parent and partner in parenting and care giving.

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*Women and moms, as referred to here, include all women and moms of any orientation. It also includes all individuals who identify as birth parent and primary parent.

Perinatal Support

Resources

  • Online courses for expecting and postpartum parents by Dr. Cassidy Frietus

  • Modern Milk Mom Blog and other resources at ModernMilk.com: To provide a community wellness center to educate, encourage, and empower today’s modern mom. Breastfeeding support, pre/post natal education, fitness classes, and a curated mom and baby boutique are some of the services we offer. We believe moms need to work together and support each other in this business called motherhood.”

  • UppityScienceChick: Kathleen Kendall-Tackett PhD researcher and IBCLC has done extensive research on women’s moods and has PDF downloads on her website for more information.

  • PATTCh: Prevention and Treatment of Traumatic Childbirth has information and resources about birth trauma for professionals and individuals.

Postpartum depression and anxiety

Guides from Experts:

Nervous System Regulation/ Support

Loop Ear Plugs: Your nervous system can get over regulated easily from audio over stimulation as a parent. I suggest investing in ear plugs! You don't need to buy this brand but I have purchased them for a friend. They make it so sound and speech remain clear yet less loud, by mimicking your ears’ acoustical function

Books

motherhood* - pregnancy, postpartum, and beyond:

  • What No One Tells You by Alexandra Sacks, MD., and Catherine Birndorf, MD. A Guide to Your Emotions from Pregnancy to Motherhood

  • Postpartum Depression Workbook by Abby Burd, LCSW

  • The Hidden Feelings of Motherhood by Kathleen Kendall-Tackett: Coping with Mothering Stress, Depression, and Burnout (2nd edition)

  • The Pregnancy and Postpartum Anxiety Workbook by Kevin L. Gyoerkoe: Practical Skills to Help You Overcome Anxiety, Worry, Panic Attacks, Obsessions, and Compulsions

  • Women's Moods by Jeanne W. Driscoll and Deborah Sichelery: What Every Woman Must Know About Hormones, the Brain, and Emotional Health

Dads and Fatherhood:

Parenting:

  • No Drama Discipline by Dan Siegel, MD

  • Brainstorm: The Power and Purpose of the Teenage Brain by Dan Siegel, MD

  • Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child by John Gottman, Ph.D.

  • How to Raise an Adult by Julie Lythcott-Haims - Break Free of the Overparenting Trap and Prepare Your Kid for Success

  • And Baby Makes Three by John and Julie Gottman, Ph.D.

  • Parenting Beyond Pink and Blue by How to Raise Your Kids Free of Gender Stereotypes

  • Hunt, Gather, Parent by Michaeleen Doucleff: What Ancient Cultures Can Teach Us About the Lost Art of Raising Happy, Helpful Little Humans 

Podcasts

episodes/topics

“I Want to Feel Wanted from Ester Perel”: After ten years, a husband tells his wife he no longer wishes to be married. A month later, stuck in limbo, they come to Esther. She helps them have an honest conversation about their expectations, desires, and the ways in which their role as parents has left little room for intimacy.

Series

Nurture Vs. Nurture with Wendy Mogel is a great podcast. She works with couples who are parents for one session, giving advice and offering wisdom along the way. I find her to be incredibly wise, safe, and relatable.

Holding Space Podcast: “Dr. Cassidy Freitas holds space for conversations with experts from around the world and parents who have been through it. With a background in Marriage and Family Therapy, Dr. Cassidy offers education in topics ranging from pregnancy, fertility, postpartum, parenting, wellness, creative living and more!”

Happy as a Mother Podcast: “Host and psychotherapist Erica Djossa teaches strategies to help you cope with the psychological and emotional load of motherhood, guides you on a journey of self love and acceptance, and answers your tough parenting questions.”

Under The Influence: “Under the Influence is a deep dive into the Mom Internet. Jo Piazza looks at how we got here, what it all means and how the commodification of motherhood is driving mothers a little insane.”

Therapy

If you are a parent of any kind, the following may helpful to process in therapy:

Transition to parenthood • Engaging in Shared Caregiving  • Processing emotional pain from your childhood that gets triggered as a Parent

For moms* and birth parents:

Processing birth  • Postpartum mental health support • Mom guilt  • Advocating for your individual wellbeing