Some of the issues I treat include:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• PMAD (Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders, aka postpartum depression)
• Bipolar Disorder
• Grief/loss
• Relationship Issues
• Anger management
• Self esteem issues
• Life transitions
• Trauma
• Family conflict
• Career/academic challenges
• Stress management

In couples therapy I will work with you and your partner to improve your relationship through a better understanding of yourself, your partner and your relationship. Using effective communication styles, each partner will feel safer expressing themselves which will allow for a better understanding of the needs of the other, and a deeper connection. Through non-judgmental communication and active listening each partner will feel more understood and accepted.

Goals of couples therapy often include:

• Building respect and empathy
• Working through a crisis
• Improving communication
• Effective conflict resolution
• Improving connection/intimacy
• Increasing honesty/trust

In Family therapy we work together to improve interaction between family members in effort to reduce conflict and increase enjoyment and family harmony. We will focus on problems that affect the family unit rather than focusing on just one person who is “the problem”.

Goals of family therapy often include:

• Reducing family conflict
• Developing/strengthening healthy communication skills
• Increasing understanding and building empathy
• Learning healthy problem solving skills
• Developing healthy boundaries
• Facing challenges that occur during different life transitions

With so many changes during pregnancy and with the arrival of a new baby, or multiples, it’s no surprise that new mothers experience so many different emotions. Many new mothers feel that they are supposed to be happy and instantly in love after the birth of their baby. They feel embarrassed, guilty, or ashamed if they are feeling sad or depressed. Up to 50%-80% of new moms experience some form of “Baby blues” following delivery. Baby blues should resolve within two weeks and are not the same as PMADs (perinatal mood and anxiety disorders). PMADs affect 1 in 7 women and 1 in 10 men. Below are some differences between the two:

Baby Blues – Symptoms last 2 weeks or less

• Crying for no apparent reason
• Mood swings
• Exhaustion or feeling overwhelmed at times
• Anxiety/restlessness
• Disturbance in sleeping or eating
• Poor concentration
• Not feeling like yourself

PMAD – Perinatal mood and anxiety disorder – Symptoms last more than 2 weeks

• Hopelessness/helplessness/sadness
• Loss of interest in pleasurable activities
• Poor concentration, focus, confusion
• Significant sleep/appetite disturbance
• Anxiety/panic attacks
• Psychomotor agitation
• Feeling worthless, guilty, or like a bad mother
• Recurring thoughts about hurting yourself or your baby

Types of PMADs which can occur during pregnancy or after childbirth

• Perinatal depression
• Perinatal anxiety disorder
• Perinatal obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Perinatal psychosis- This is a serious emergency and requires immediate help!