Are you a new mother or contemplating motherhood? Are you pursuing assisted reproductive technology and enduring multiple losses? Are you pregnant and feeling nervous or blue? Or, perhaps you recently had a baby and are feeling overwhelmed? While our culture often portrays the pursuit of motherhood and the experience of becoming a mother as a joyous experience, many women are enduring countless stressors: hormonal fluctuations, professional and personal role changes, feelings of loss regarding your previous life and identity, tension in relationships with family members, sleep deprivation and isolation.

 As a psychologist with 17 years of experience, including advanced training in maternal mental health and fertility and reproduction, I am uniquely positioned to help women as they contemplate issues relating to motherhood.  As a mother myself who has experienced postpartum anxiety, I am passionate about working with women considering motherhood and new mothers to help them address the changes they are undergoing during this life transition.  I create a comfortable space where your concerns can be explored free of judgement.   I value the use of humor and empathy to connect with and help individuals during trying emotional times. My goal is to make new parents feel empowered and supported as I help them navigate this important life transition.  

 My experience helping children, adolescents, and adults cope with depression, anxiety, trauma, abuse, and loss makes me uniquely suited to work with women undergoing a major life transition such as motherhood. If you are looking for support, please call me for a free phone consultation.

Individual Therapy

Ongoing therapy to provide support, skills, and insight to help new mothers thrive. Therapy services  can be short or long-term depending on your needs and goals.

New Parent Consultations

During pregnancy, many people focus on all the material goods you will need, and while it is crucial to have diapers, clothes, a car seat and a safe place for your baby to sleep, there is a lack of attention to the factors that truly set parents up to be prepared for a baby. The goal is to improve preparedness to reduce stress when the baby arrives. This is a preventative service, geared to reduce the likelihood of developing postpartum depression and/or anxiety.

Coaching Sessions with moms or couples are short-term and customizable. 
Commonly requested topics: 

• Support to devise plans for sleep/rest as well as having healthy meals available

• Basic education and coping strategies to deal with anxiety and sadness that may arise during the postpartum period (for both moms and dads)

• Devising a childcare plan

• Plan for redistribution of household duties

• Communication strategies

• New parent consultations typically last 3-5 sessions. Here is a sample of a 3 session plan:

  • Session 1: Dr. V meets with parent(s) to gather information, listen to your concerns and assess areas of strength as well as areas needing support.

  • Session 2: Establish an action plan with a timeline and goals.

  • Session 3: Assess progress and attend to any lingering issues. Dr. V. will provide referrals for any services in the community that may be needed- lactation, nutrition, sleep, etc.