PPSM Baby Brain; Emotional Wellness in Pregnancy, Postpartum and Parenting

In this episode, Lindsey connects with Maya Wolkowicz, MA, LGSW - Psychotherapist at Postpartum Counseling Center about acknowleging and destigmatizing PMADs and how PMADs impact not only the birthing person, but others within the familial structure. Maya authentically shares her insight and best practices to help others in the community who are experiencing PMADs. To learn more about the services discussed in this episode, check out  https://phawellness.com/

Emma Nadler is a psychotherapist–a Licensed professional clincal counselor. I have a private practice for adults that is focused on relationships, assertiveness, perinatal mental health (including postpartum adjustment), & life transitions.
In todays episode, Lindsey and Emma discuss ways to cope with a significant diagnosis for your child, parenting medically complex children, coping as a caregiver and a parent, and  ways to be creative as a parent during difficult times.

Emma shares about the her personal experiences and how her journey led her to write a memoir, The Unlikely Village of Eden.

UPDATE-In the episode the book launch is discussed as taking place  on Friday, April 28th 7PM, this is no longer correct. Please disregard the date and time mentioned in the podcast.
The book launch for The Unlikely Village of Eden is now happening on Sunday, May 7th at 5pm at Magers & Quinn in conversation with Rabbi Marcia Zimmeran. It's free but you must preregister. She would love to see you there!

Emma shares a variety of resources on the podcast, including, Dr Pauline Boss's work on ambigous loss - her website ambigousloss.com provides a roadmap for healing.

Stay connected to Emma - emmanadler.com or follow her at @emmanadllerwrites

PLEASE NOTE:Listening to this podcast in no way creates a client/therapist relationship with Emma Nadler or PPSM. No legal, counseling, or other professional services are being rendered and nothing is intended to provide such services or advice of any kind. If you are having a mental health emergency, please contact 911 or go to your nearest emergency room. You can also text or call 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. 

In this episode, Kara Yorkhall shares how her practice supports fertility and  addresses clients  reproductive goals holistically.  Kara is the founder of Fertile Ground and is board certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) and licensed by the Minnesota State Medical Board. Fertile Ground is a Women's Health and Fertility Center located in South Minneapolis. The practice includes advanced practice providers of varying specialities who approach reproductive health on an individual level.

https://fertilegroundmn.com/

Mike O'Neil is an educator at Amma Parenting and teaches an infant CPR class and New Dads Class. In this episode, Mike shares his experience at Amma Parenting facilitating the New Dads Group and discusses how the curriculum fosters community and serves as a protective factor for new parents through an individualized and authentic facilitative approach.
Check out Amma Parenting for details on the New Dads Class and the other great resources available to parents.
https://ammaparenting.com/class/new-dads-class/
https://ammaparenting.com/class/infant-cpr/

In today's episode Lindsey connects with Mary Willis, a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), who works at the Mother-Baby program about community resources and health disparities that impact health during the perinatal period.
 She joined the Mother-Baby team at HCMC in 2022, and has previously worked across many settings with experience in working with children, families, and infants and young children, and specializes in working with parents and infants or children ages 0-5. At the Mother-Baby Program, Mary facilitates group therapy and provides parent-child therapy as well as individual therapy, and also is a part of the Family Support Team (FST), a co-located model of mental health and parenting support embedded in the Pediatric Clinic. Mary is trained in Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP) and completed the Permanency and Adoption Competency Certificate (PACC) program through the University of Minnesota.

http://redleaffamilyhealing.org/
https://twitter.com/hennepinhc
Instagram - @hennepinhc
Hope Line - https://redleaffamilyhealing.org/services/hopeline/  612-873-HOPE

In todays episode, Brooke and Lindsey discuss the challenges and obstacles of bedrest and extended NICU stays and how a local non-profit is working to fill in the gap. Brooke is the Executive Director of Hearts 2 Hope, a nonprofit organization founded by three moms who understand the ins and outs and ups and downs of complicated pregnancies and pre-term birth. Hearts 2 Hope's mission is to provide connection and support to moms and families on bed rest and (subsequent) NICU stays. We offer gifts and a community of connection.

Hearts 2 Hope is currently accepting nominations for a deserving family on bed rest or in the NICU. 

Follow the link below to submit your nomination before DECEMBER 9TH.

https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSdbX5wlC5jPha.../viewform

https://www.facebook.com/hearts2hope   
 @hearts2hope

In this episode, Lindsey and Jodi discuss how perinatal education supports community building, shared decision making, and improves outcomes for pregnant people and their families. Jodi is the Director of Prenatal Education, New Parent and Prenatal Teacher, Workshop Coordinator. She is interested in all things birth, but also really interested in the newborns and their brain development in that first 1000 days - it's so fascinating!  She has have been a nurse since 2001, most of that time she spent in labor and delivery and postpartum.  Her most favorite job is being a mom to my 4 children ages 17, 15, 13 and 10.  She loves watching them grow and learn new things!

Learn more about Amma classes and resources at https://ammaparenting.com 

All Amma teachers are either Registered Nurses, IBCLCs, and/or Lamaze or ICEA certified Childbirth educators.

Follow on instagram at @ammaparenting and on Facebook at Amma Parenting 

In this episode, Lindsey and Jenna discuss the road to postpartum anxiety recovery, Jenna shares her work as a Occupational Therapist in the NICU and offers great insight on how to support families who have a child in the NICU.

Jenna is a mom of 3 and suffered from postpartum anxiety and depression. Throughout Jenna's recovery she attended virtual support groups through PPSM and utilized the peer support program. 

Jenna works full time in the NICU as an occupational therapist. She is certified in neonatal touch and massage, is a feeding specialist and specialized in developmental care. She has a specific interest in supporting families to bond with and become a strong advocate for their baby and family in the NICU. She loves  supporting the mental health of parents and helping them feel more competent in caring for their baby and celebrate all the small and big wins in the NICU. Jenna can be found on instagram at @theanxioushobbyist and @thenicutherapist

From Jenna:"Taking the first step, to get help and access resources available to your during your mental health journey, is the hardest part but it is so worth it. I never thought I'd attend a support group, utilize a peer support person or openly share my story but it ended up being some of the best things I've ever done in my life. I am so thankful I had the courage to take that first hard step but it has been so worth it."

Emily is a Licensed Professional Counselor certified in Perinatal Mental Health. She has a bachelors in Anthropology from the University of Alaska Anchorage and a masters of science from Alaska Pacific University. A majority of her work has been providing therapeutic and behavioral interventions for Alaska Native and American Indians living in the Southcentral Region of Alaska. As an integrated Behavioral Health Consultant, Emily worked closely with medical staff and providers to assist in understanding the bio-psycho-social components of health care. She became especially interested in the perinatal population while seeing women and families during their prenatal and postpartum visits with their prenatal team. Emily worked alongside Midwives, OB-Gyns, and nurses to provide state of the art integrated care for the perinatal population. Emily was a part of a work group that piloted outpatient suboxone induction program to women who were pregnant to improve access to much needed resources in a rural part of the country.

Lindsey interviews Nicole, a full time working mom, survivor and peer support mentor with PPSM.

Content warning. This episode describes postpartum anxiety and may be triggering to some. Please listen with care.

Nicole has shared a brief introduction to her journey to recovery. Please see Nicoles words below.

I have struggled with anxiety since my early college days, after the birth of my first daughter my postpartum anxiety hit an entirely different level - everyday tasks were impossible and I was in complete OVERDRIVE mentally, worrying about things completely out of my control. I obsessed over being a "good mom", creating an unrealistic checklist in my head of what that meant. I was constantly trying to prove to those around me that this transition to motherhood had been "easy", to those around me I had painted that picture, but on the inside I was mentally and physically drained.

I’m happy to say I’m in a much better space now, and had a much different postpartum experience with my second born. Coming out on the other side of this difficult  time, I wanted to find a way to help other moms who were going through the same thing. I want them to know there is help, they are not alone and that they will feel like
themselves again. This is what brought me to become a PPSM peer support volunteer.

It took a lot of courage to share my story, but all I can hope is that my vulnerability will help at least one other mom.

To all the moms out there, you GOT this!
-Nicole

In this episode, Lindsey Hanka and Michelle Dineen discuss infant mental health, reflective practice and mental wellness for caregivers and children throughout the infant and early childhood phase of life.

 Michelle Dineen,  is a licensed clinical social worker with a specialty in infant mental health and reflective practice. She is passionate about helping others build their reflective skills. She has a private practice where she works with individuals and families, specializing in parenting stress and relationships. She is conveniently located in the south Minneapolis & St. Paul metro and is able to travel to any location.

Michelle is endorsed for culturally sensitive, relationship-focused practice promoting Infant Mental Health as an Infant Mental Health Specialist. She has over a decade of experience in a home visiting program for new parents. During her work she participated in reflective supervision/consultation individually and in multi-disciplinary groups. Since 2012, she has lead or co-lead reflective practice groups and provided individual reflective supervision.

Additionally Michelle had the amazing opportunity to be a co-author and instructor for the University of Minnesota's CEED Center for Reflective Practice at the University of Minnesota. She co-authored RIOS™ 1: Using the RIOS™ Framework for Reflective Supervision and also authored one of CEED's self-study modules entitled, Wondering with a Purpose: Reflection in any Setting.
*If you are interested in taking any of these courses please contact CEED Center for Reflective Practice.

http://mdineen.com/

Maria talks about using occupational and craniosacral therapies to treat perinatal depression, anxiety and how they can also be helpful for difficulties babies might be experiencing. 

Maria Bossert is an Occupational and CranioSacral Therapist specializing in maternal wellness and birth to 3 early intervention.  She is the owner of Happy & Healthy Therapy and is passionate about whole-body treatment of tethered oral tissues, early childhood development and providing much needed postpartum nurturing and support to birthing parents.  Aside from one-on-one services, Maria also offers free monthly education sessions for expecting parents called "New Parent Nights" and will be adding a birthing parents group called "Prepared Postpartum" in the fall.  Maria lives with her husband, step daughter and biological daughter and son.  She comes to her work with personal experiences with PMADs, miscarriage and traumatic birth experiences.

Insta: @happyhealthytherapy
Facebook: @happyandhealthytherapy 

Listen to Sara talk about rage she experienced postpartum, how it effected her relationships and parenting and the interesting realization she was not alone.  Sara also describes her treatment journey of healing with the three pillars she now uses with her clients; Identifying triggers, Attending to our body and Understanding our internal Parts.


"Postpartum rage is a symptom of PMADS that is often missed and can hold a lot of stigma".

Sara is a LICSW at WildTree Psychotherapy and has been practicing social work for 7 years. Sara is trained in DBT and EMDR and is in the process of receiving her certification in Perinatal Mental Health. Sara’s areas of special interest in trauma, ecotherapy, somatic work and the perinatal community. Sara lives on a farm with her family and their various farm animals.

Jessie Everts, PhD LMFT is a therapist, mom, yoga/mindfulness teacher, author, and mental health consultant. She is the author of two books, Brave New Mom: A survival guide for mindfully navigating postpartum motherhood and Connecting with Loneliness: A Guided Journal. She uses mindfulness practices along with cognitive and acceptance therapies to work with women and LGBTQ+ individuals who might be struggling with anxiety, parenting, perinatal mental health, work-life balance, trauma, and life transitions. She is passionate about bringing mental health knowledge and skills to people outside of the therapy office, and helping moms feel great about the amazing hard work they do.

Insta: brave_new_mom
twitter: BraveNewMom1

Lauren Robbins talks to us about trauma in the perinatal period.  What the body and brain know and remember and how this time period can be particularly triggering.  She also gives us great tips on how we can cope, even outside of the therapy office. 

Lauren Robbins, MS, LPCC, LADC, PMH-C, CCTP
I am the Clinical Director and owner of Wild Tree Psychotherapy outpatient mental health clinic with locations in St. Paul, White Bear Lake and Eagan, MN. I specialize in treating trauma, particularly adults who are impacted by childhood experiences, as well as perinatal mood and anxiety disorders and becoming a parent.

Insta: @wildtreewellness
https://wildtreewellness.com/

Pregnancy is a beautiful thing!!! Postpartum is just a stage and parenting is bittersweet. But, you come out of each one a little bit stronger, laced with a lot more wisdom.  -Anna


Anna describes her battle with postpartum depression, anxiety, intrusive thoughts and psychotic symptoms in a journey to wellness and advocacy.  

Meet Anna:  Mom of 3, married 9 years this September, as of August 31st, 2021 I became a stay-at-home mom. I have my bachelors in psychology, I am currently a volunteer with PPSM & through my church ministry a mentor for young/single moms. I simply love being with my family; but when I am not with them or allowing myself some “selfcare,” you will usually see me outside in my garden.

PPSM Involvement: Volunteer with PPSM, help host the Thursday night virtual support group, also mentoring through my church’s ministry ’Embrace,’ coming alongside young/single mothers. 

Deb Rich explores with use the gaps in specialized perinatal care for coping with pregnancy and infant loss.  She also walks us through her personal journey in healing from her own still birth and how that brought her to her work with Shoshana Center for Reproductive Health Psychology.  Listen how the field of perinatal mental health has grown, her work with international influence and thoughts on the future. 

Dr. Deb Rich  PhD, Licensed Psychologist, PMH-C, PSYPACT certified
Throughout her 35+ years of practice, Dr. Deb Rich has maintained a vision to engage perinatal professionals in cross-disciplinary collaboration through training and consultation. Since 2013, she has focused her clinical specialties on such challenges of pregnancy as pregnancy loss, infant death, diagnosis of severe fetal abnormality and infertility/family building. She is an expert in LGBTQ+ family building and a champion of reducing health disparities.
In addition to developing her own training model, MommaCareTM which she has taught nationally and internationally, she has served in leadership capacities for the Pregnancy Loss and Newborn Death Alliance, Minnesota Women in Psychology, Pregnancy and Postpartum Support Minnesota, North American Society for Psychosocial OB/Gyn, and is currently the Chair, International Marcé Society Pregnancy and Infant Loss Special Interest Group.

Shoshana Center for Reproductive Health Psychology is named after her daughter, Shoshana, stillborn full-term, August 2, 1985.

https://www.facebook.com/mommacaretm

Shoshana Center for Reproductive Health Psychology 

Sonja Kromroy, MA, LPCC from Root and Rise
Sonja is the owner of and clinician at Root & Rise Psychotherapy in St. Paul, MN. Root & Rise specializes in areas such as Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Trauma, and Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders. Specifically, Sonja is trained in Exposure and Response Prevention for OCD, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing as well as Accelerated Resolution Therapy for Trauma and was trained by Postpartum Support International for a specialization in PMADs. Sonja has been a contributor for Parent Magazine and a presenter at the Beyond the Baby Blues Conference.

You may feel that your thoughts are too scary to share, but we are not afraid of your thoughts and want to be able to help support you in changing the way you experience them.

INSTA: rootandrisemn

Doctors Michelle Wiersgalla and Gabrielle Mauren talk about their new book "Myself Again"  The P.A.R.E.N.T.S. Postpartum Survival Guide.  This book uses the crafty PARENTS  mnemonic to describe their approach for new parents.  Practice patience, Activities for yourself, Rest and sleep, Exercise or movement, Nutrition, Time with others and Support network.   

Gabrielle Mauren, PhD, LP, PMH-C is a licensed psychologist and the developer of an award-winning reproductive mental health program, which has a focus on helping parents who are struggling with mental health concerns related to pregnancy, postpartum, fertility issues and pregnancy loss.  Dr. Mauren completed her undergraduate studies, graduate training, and postgraduate fellowship at the University of Iowa, the University of Minnesota, and the University of Pennsylvania, respectively. She has been a featured speaker on topics of perinatal mental health at local, national, and international conferences.  She lives in Minnesota with her husband and daughter. 

Michelle Wiersgalla MD PMH-C  is a perinatal psychiatrist, psychopharmacology consultant to the Park Nicollet Reproductive Mental Health Program.  Major accomplishments: writing our book “Myself Again”, listed as Top Doctor in Minnesota Monthly 7 years in a row, many speaking engagements at local, national, and international conferences. 

This episode gives an inside view of what to expect as a NICU family and some ideas on how to support loved ones who are involved. 

Mandy Wannarka LICSW, PMH-C RYT-200
Mandy is the owner of a group psychotherapy practice (Mindful Wellbeing) located in Coon Rapids, Minnesota. The practice is dedicated to supporting individuals and families into their transition into parenthood. Together with the other clinicians at her practice, they have over 15 years of experience supporting families with NICU hospital stays, complex medical concerns, birth trauma and pregnancy, infant and child loss. Mandy became the Director of the Helpline for Pregnancy and Postpartum Support International in 2019 after serving as a mental health professional on the Helpline. She is certified in Perinatal Mental Health and EMDR (a type of therapy that focuses on helping people health from trauma or other significant life experiences). Her practice is working on expanding into other holistic methods of supporting individuals including yoga, reiki and more. 

One thing you'd like our community to know about pregnancy, postpartum or parenting (could be something about your personal story, facts/figures, inspiration for others, etc.) *

You are not alone and your story matters. Mandy believes that by sharing our stories with others, we can not only get the support we deserve for our own journey, but strengthen our connection to one another and provide support to others. 

There are some great local organizations that are offering direct and indirect support to the NICU community. They include: 

Minnesota Neonatal Foundation:  https://www.neonatalfoundation.org/
The Potato Head Project: https://www.thepotatoheadproject.org/
Fiona's Hope Totes: http://www.fionashope.org/

Some great national organizations that support NICU families include: 

Hand To Hold: https://handtohold.org/
March of Dimes: https://www.marchofdimes.org/baby/the-nicu-family-support-program.aspx
National Organization for Rare Diseases (NORD): https://rarediseases.org/
Graham's Foundation: https://grahamsfoundation.org/
Postpartum Support International NICU Parents group: https://www.postpartum.net/get-help/psi-online-support-meetings/