Therapy for Moms

Parenting isn’t easy. I recognize how complex and nuanced parenting can be. I believe that is important that parents have good support and information.

When you have children it is normal to reflect back on your experiences as a child. Perhaps, you realized that you would like to do things differently with your children than your parents did with you. Or maybe you’re confused why your children aren’t responding to your parenting in the way that you would like them to. Maybe your home feels like everyone is walking on eggshells, screen time is taking over and conflict is popping up. Perhaps it feels like parenting has not been the experience that you were hoping it would be. This can feel lonely and isolating, and I’m here to help.

I provide therapy for parents who are looking to find healthy ways to relate to and communicate with their partners and their children. I use an emotionally focused lens, attachment theory, and a person centered model in my work. I will help you form healthy relationships with your children, decrease arguments and conflict, and work through the ever changing parent-child relationship.

yoU’RE MORE THAN “moM”

It’s easy to lose yourself in parenting. Children are all consuming and we live in a society that pressures parents, moms in particular, to be everything for everybody. If I could give all moms one gift, it would be the gift of therapy (and a nap). Therapy is a great place for you to reconnect with yourself after children. You’re more than just someone’s mom. You have talents, interests, and things about you that are interesting and unique. If it feels like it’s been a long time since you’ve connected with that side of yourself, I can help you reconnect to those pieces that have fell to the wayside.

Parents-To-Be and New Parents

As a new(ish) mom myself, I know first hand the excitement and fear that comes with welcoming your new baby. There is so much to consider, so many decisions to make, and a huge sense of responsibility plopped down into your lap.

Parents today are often bombarded with information and it can create some anxiety. In our work together I will help you sort through the avalanche of information that comes at you, prioritizing your mental health so you can make informed decisions for you and your family. Learning how to manage this anxiety when your child is young is a skill that will be helpful for the next 18 years (or more!).

Having a new baby can also take a toll on your relationship. Going from 2 to 3 or more is a big transition. I will help you, and your partner, learn how to communicate, find a division of labor that feels fair, and set boundaries that protect your family unit. New parents often find it helpful to talk about how to manage household tasks, relationships with in laws, social media boundaries, returning to work, and how to continue to prioritize a healthy relationship with each other. Some clients also see this as a time to dive in to their own experiences growing up and how that impacts their parenting philosophy.

I’m happy to help you do this work at any point in your parenting journey, but it can be very helpful to start before your new addition arrives. I will help support you in being able to bring your new baby home to an environment that feels loving, calm, and supportive.

Managing Social Media and Screen Time

Almost every parent I work with has came in reporting issues with screens in their home. They struggle to get their children to transition to screens to other activities, they report melt downs and fights at bedtime, constant begging and bargaining for more time, and how their time together is overshadowed by ever present screens. Many parents feel as if screens are the only power they have, using screens to bargain or bribe their children to get through the day.

It doesn’t have to be like this. I can help you create an environment that is not ruled by the phone, that is full of connection and time together, and provides a foundation for healthy screen time and social media use. I will work with you to understand the role screen time plays, how to teach your children (and yourself ) to regulate your emotions in healthy ways, and create an environment that promotes positive mental health.

Worrying about your child’s technology use is valid. Screen time has been associated with increased levels of anxiety, depression, and emotional dysregulation. Learning how to have a healthy and positive relationship with screens is necessary. Screens, the internet, and social media aren’t going way so it’s important to learn at a young age (or now for adults!) how to manage the risks and rewards of engaging in online behaviors.

Intergenerational Parenting Concerns

When asked, many parents will say that they had a great childhood. Upon exploring their childhood a little deeper, most will say that they do not want to parent their children in the same way that they were parented. Both of these things can be true. We can have appreciation for the good parents of our childhood and realize that we want to give our children something different. My role as a therapist is to help you understand how your childhood years, good or bad, impacted the way that you interact in the world and with those around you, and how you can create the healthy, happy, and positive childhood you want for your children.