Specialized Care

Women’s Specialty Services

Have you lost much of the joy you once felt? Are you struggling in an abusive or toxic relationship? Do you have years of living with low self-worth resulting in a less-than-desirable life?

Throughout the ages, women have been called “the fairer sex.” And yet, were you to ask women about their life experiences, many would admit their life events haven’t always seemed so fair.

Women may experience certain environmental, psychological, and biological challenges related to gender that have a significant impact on their mental health and well-being. If not addressed properly, these challenges can turn into burdens that often lead to anxiety, depression, and a lost sense of self.

Are Women More at Risk of Developing Mental Health Issues?

Daniel Freeman, Oxford University clinical psychologist analyzed 12 large-scale studies and concluded that women may be between 20% and 40% more likely to develop a mental illness than men. According to Freeman, “Women tend to view themselves more negatively than men and that is a vulnerability factor for many mental health problems."

Some common mental health issues experienced by women include:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Postpartum depression
• Postpartum psychosis
• Post-traumatic stress
• Eating disorders
• Borderline personality
• Mood-related challenges
• Low self-worth
• Self-harming behaviors

Why Seek Therapy for Women’s Issues?

Women’s issues can take a serious toll on a woman’s emotional, physical, and mental health. The effects can be mild to extreme, and in many cases, women are not able to cope with their issues on their own. 

By seeking therapy, a woman can get the help she needs in overcoming an issue she has been struggling with. 

There are several therapies, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), that can offer coping tools and new perspectives. Seeking therapy can be an empowering first step on the road back to YOU. And while each step you take may, at times, feel challenging, uncertain, and scary, you will have someone right there with you listening and encouraging you to cross that finish line.

If you or someone you know would like to explore treatment options, please get in touch with me. I would be honored to walk with you on your journey.

Pregnancy Postpartum

For new moms, it can be upsetting and frightening to have feelings about motherhood that don’t seem “right.”

For some women, a morning run, a healthy diet, and receiving help and support from family and friends are sufficient enough to get through the initial adjustment period. For others, talking to a therapist who specializes in dealing with new motherhood issues can be comforting, relieving, and enlightening.

Therapists who have extensive education and training in postpartum disorders understand that hormone changes, personal and family history, and social support are all vital factors in understanding and alleviating postpartum symptoms.

Common postpartum symptoms include:

• Feeling overwhelmed and wondering if you should have become a mother in the first place
• Feeling guilty due to high self-expectations
• Not feeling “bonded” with the baby
• Your thoughts are racing and you can’t quiet your mind
• Feeling empty and numb as if you’re just going through the motions
• Lack of focus and concentration
• Being afraid that if you reach out for help, others will judge your inabilities
• Thoughts of running away or leaving your baby behind
• Being constantly in a state of worry

If one or more of the above symptoms resonates with you, I invite you to contact me today for a free consultation. Together, we’ll find the underlying issues that make you feel disconnected from your baby and create a strategy for moving forward. Contact me today to see how I can help.

Grief & Bereavement Counseling

Grief and bereavement aren’t light-hearted topics. Bereavement refers to the process of recovering from the death of a loved one, and grief is a reaction to any form of loss. Both encompass a wide range of emotions such as fear, anger, and deep, deep sadness.

The process of adapting to a loss can dramatically change from person to person, depending on his or her background, beliefs, relationship to the person who’s passed, and other factors.

Common symptoms of grief can be physical, emotional, or social.

A few common symptoms in these categories are:

Physical

• Crying and sighing
• Headaches
• Loss of appetite
• Difficulty sleeping
• Weakness
• Fatigue

Emotional

• Feelings of sadness and yearning
• Feelings of worry or anger
• Feelings of frustration or guilt

Social

• Feeling detached from others
• Self-isolation from social contact
• Behaving in ways that are not normal for you

Every grieving experience is different. A person may be able to continue their day-to-day routine after one loss, yet not be able to get out of bed after the loss of someone else. Whatever your personal symptoms are, grief and bereavement counseling have been proven to help.

If you are experiencing grief-related thoughts, behaviors, or feelings that are distressing, please contact me today for a free consultation

Depression

Are you feeling hopeless, isolated, and not your usual self?

Do these thoughts often enter your mind?

• I am worthless and can’t do anything about it.
• I feel guilty for just wanting to eat, sleep and be alone.
• I hate who I am these days.
• I can’t stop crying, which makes me want to stay away from others.
• I feel gut-wrenching pain, but no one understands.
• My life and the world around me are dark. I hate it, but I can’t change it.

If you have had any variation of these thoughts and don’t feel like your usual self, chances are you may be suffering from depression.

I want you to know that you are not alone and there are people who can help. Many of my clients find relief in realizing that their struggle does not own them and that there are many options available to once again have hope for their lives.

I understand the social stigmas that come with the label of being depressed and thus aim to help clients sort out their environmental, biological, and circumstantial factors while offering support and care through a very dark time in their lives.

If you are hoping to finally lighten this load and feel like yourself again, contact me today for a free consultation.