Michal Klau-Stevens
(860) 233-6914
Perinatal Mental and Behavioral Health
Becoming a mother feels like a big deal.
Whether you planned to become pregnant, put lots of thought into it, left it to fate or God’s will, or it happened completely unexpectedly, being pregnant has created a shift in thinking and raised many questions and concerns.
Online information can be overwhelming and unreliable, and you may not be quite ready to share the news with people. So, who can you talk to and ask for help?
Fear can make this time less joyful. There is so much talk about postpartum depression and birth trauma now, making you wonder, “Could that happen to me? You may have fear and anxiety of repeating unhealthy family cycles bring a sense of heaviness, sometimes even dread, to what is supposed to be a happy time. Fear of health outcomes and worries about the future increase your anxiety.
You’ve never experienced this kind of existential angst because the stakes have never been this high. It feels like new, unfamiliar territory. Navigating the healthcare system is challenging, and you’re unsure what to do.
Having an experienced guide can help.
Getting evidence-based information from a reliable source can ease some of the anxiety by increasing knowledge, helping you feel informed and more prepared for decision-making. Having the practical and emotional support from an experienced and informed person can help you feel like you can breathe again.
If your birth didn’t go as planned and that is getting in the way of you enjoying and caring for your baby, or you think you may be suffering from postpartum depression, you will get real support and resources quickly.
As a mother, I experienced the fear, anxiety, excitement, trepidation, anticipation, and growth that come from pregnancy, birth, and parenting. The process moved me so much that I became an advocate and activist for healthy, women-centered maternity care. For almost a decade, I worked with people nationwide as a chapter leader and national organizer to educate and support pregnant women.
Then, I returned to graduate school and focused on maternal and child health, learning skills and approaches to help people through this life experience of rapid growth. I’ve been working with moms for over two decades now.
Making the transition has challenges.
In addition to the concerns that arise in pregnancy, birth, and parenting, this transition to motherhood can activate past trauma and expose gaps in your current support system.
The whole extended family is affected when a child comes into the picture. Rapid processing is necessary in times of rapid change.
Beyond the physical and practical concerns, pregnancy and birth are often also metaphysical encounters that connect us to the source greater than ourselves, whether it is thought of as the Divine, the Universe, God, Nature, or Spirit.
I can help you connect with and honor that part of the experience.
Let’s make motherhood a joyful experience.
Accelerated Resolution Therapy can be very beneficial in keeping up with the speed of change during this time, and talking with a trained professional who specializes in dealing with the specific challenges new moms face can transform the whole experience into one more positive, grounded, and empowering.
Whether you are thinking about becoming pregnant, are pregnant, or are parenting, I can help ease your challenges and navigate this significant life transition.
Call me to schedule a free consultation, and we can begin helping you feel the support you seek.