Black Maternal Mental Wellness
Therapy for Black Mothers
Online therapy for black mothers
There is so much pressure Black women experience during pregnancy
Even with the best of planning, the transition into motherhood as a Black woman comes with its rewards as well as unique challenges. The health disparities related to the quality of care received by Black women during pregnancy are staggering. No matter your socio-economic status, college-educated or not, Black women experience more negative pregnancy and birth-related outcomes. Too many women are dying in pregnancy and childbirth. We hear horror stories online or we may know someone personally impacted by them engaging with the healthcare system. Leaving the hospital empty-handed or not leaving the hospital at all are unfortunate realities for Black women. There is valid mistrust of the healthcare system — but I can help you navigate it.
Unfortunately, there is not a ton of support for Black mamas-to-be
In today’s technological era, many of us turn to online spaces for validation and answers, receiving mixed messages about how to support ourselves during pregnancy and postpartum. And when we scroll through the feeds of women who seem to have had a seamless transition into parenthood and a perfect family, it makes us feel hella bad about our situation. Our body didn’t snap back or our baby is not sleeping through the night. The first days and weeks with a newborn are tough (diaper blowouts, spit-up, lack of sleep, engorged boobs), but we may feel like we need to manage things entirely on our own.
During this time, you must have the resources in place to not only rest and ensure proper nutrition but also to actively overcome the comparison bug. There’s no traffic in your lane. Together in coaching for perinatal and postpartum women, we can build up your resources so you feel more confident about your ability to be a mother.
What is maternal wellness THERAPY?
Maternal wellness therapy is a process that involves working with a trained professional to improve your mental and emotional well-being as you navigate your pregnancy and postpartum journey.
With so many things on your plate, it can be difficult to stop and use limited time and energy to make sense of your transition to motherhood.
A maternal wellness therapist takes on some of the emotional load for you and provides the structure for you to address the changes in your new environment.
virtual appointments available
Why Therapy for black women?
My therapy practice first and foremost provides you with a sense of community needed to combat the isolation that so often accompanies the pregnancy and postpartum period. As someone who can directly relate to your experience of being a mother, I will offer you tangible strategies for asking for support, creating strong connections with other parents, self-care and healing birth trauma. With maternal mental wellness therapy, you can learn ways to thrive in motherhood, instead of survive.
Before we dig deep into the issues that brought you to therapy, I will help set the intention for our work together. We will create a timeline and determine what goals you want to accomplish. I will provide you with the necessary information and tools you will need to navigate the healthcare system and find a provider in alignment with your values. We process your birthing experience and story. You will also learn about your baby’s development and how you can create the most maternal, attuned, and loving bond possible without sacrificing your mental health.
From there, we will begin to chip away at the negative thought patterns that keep you stuck, frustrated, and dissatisfied. As you learn to stop comparing yourself to others, you can transform your self-perception from focusing on what you’re doing wrong to what you’re doing right.
I provide help and support with:
Accessing resources to make taking care you and baby easier
Developing simple yet practical self-care routines
Navigating your return to work and work-life balance
Asking for support from your family and friend network
Struggle to bond and connect with your baby
Processing your birth story
Understanding what they mean when they say ‘mommy brain”
Providing a non-judgmental space to be seen, heard and accepted
Lack of self confidence and low self-esteem
How to advocate for your needs when engaging the healthcare system
Preparing for life after baby
Anxiety and stress
Body image struggles and the pressure to snap back
Improving your relationship with yourself
Finding your identity again after becoming a mother
Negative feelings you mihave for your baby
Legacy burdens (intergenerational transmissions of extreme feelings, emotions, energies, and beliefs.)
Grief: loss of identity, loss of freedom, loss of normalcy, loss of the pregnancy or postpartum experience you were expecting, loss of a career, loss of relationships, loss of...
How to advocate for your needs when engaging the healthcare system
Getting support before and right after birth is key to alleviating early postpartum mood disorders and preventing more serious mental health conditions down the line.
Making the transition from maiden to motherhood can present with a variety of challenges, and it's important to acknowledge that it's completely normal to have these thoughts and feelings. Becoming a mother is a significant life change, and it can indeed bring up a range of emotions and concerns. Remember that seeking support and being aware of your mental health are positive steps towards being the best parent you can be.
You are not here because you’re doing a bad job; you’re here because this transition is triggering painful thoughts and sensations, and you want to do everything you can to be the most present and aware parent possible. There is no such thing as perfection, and you will make mistakes throughout this journey, but with proper maternal mental health support, you can learn what it takes for you and your baby to thrive.
I look forward to supporting you in your journey into and through motherhood.
SUPPORTED JOURNEY
Benefits of working with me:
There are countless benefits for mothers pursuing a maternal wellness coach for support. Here are some of the benefits women can expect to gain by working with me:
• Learn long-term coping and self-help tools that can be used to minimize postpartum anxiety and stress.
• Dismantle the external forces (capitalism, institutionalized racism, lack of support, systems of oppression, cognitive dissonance), the fuel that feeds your anxiety and depression.
• Build self-confidence and self-esteem to regain a sense of self-worth.
• Increase your quality of life with yourself, your family, and your community.
• Find your voice and increase ability to advocate for your needs.
• Learn how to trust yourself and keep the fear at bay.
In our sessions, I will use different techniques based on your needs, and we'll make adjustments based on your progress when necessary.
READY TO GET STARTED?
Click on the button below to see if I am the best fit for you, your unique experience, needs and goals.