Therapeutic Services for Postpartum Moms
A place to be heard, understood, and supported during motherhood.
Who needs postpartum support?
Mothers are expected to “know what to do” after baby arrives, and find themselves navigating an unfamiliar landscape with little social support.
Motherhood can be a very isolating time, far away from the social interactions of the workplace. Moms are adjusting to taking care of a little one 24/7 without the validation that comes from a job or career.
Motherhood doesn't automatically just happen. It is a developmental process for both the mother and child. It takes time and practice, getting used to this new role and little person.
Mothering-me provides a safe space where the focus is on mom or parent and allows the healing to come from feeling validated and heard; “Bouncing back is a cultural myth. There is no before-there is only forward. This is hopefully about transformation.” (Dr. Athan, Ph.D, 2020)
What I Treat
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Postpartum mood disorders encompass a range of diagnosis that many women face after childbirth. Postpartum Depression (PPD) is the most common one, occurring in approximately 15% of postpartum women, characterized by feelings of sadness, hopelessness, exhaustion and extreme fatigue. Understanding these disorders and providing support and treatment can make all the difference for new moms and parents struggling with their mental health. Let us strive to raise awareness, shatter stigmas, and create a supportive environment where every new mother can find the help she needs to navigate the emotional rollercoaster of early motherhood.
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One of the most well-known postpartum mood disorders is postpartum depression (PPD). It occurs in approximately 15% of postpartum women and is characterized by feelings of sadness, hopelessness, exhaustion, and overwhelming fatigue. PPD can affect a woman's ability to bond with her baby, perform daily tasks, and can even lead to thoughts of self-harm or harm towards the baby. It is essential to identify and treat PPD promptly to prevent further distress.
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Postpartum anxiety (PPA) is another common postpartum mood disorder that affects around 10% of new mothers. Women with PPA experience excessive worry, racing thoughts, restlessness, and a constant sense of impending doom. This anxiety can be so intense that it interferes with daily functioning and disrupts the mother's ability to care for herself and her baby.
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Postpartum panic disorder (PPD) is characterized by recurring panic attacks that can be both physically and emotionally distressing. These attacks can include symptoms such as shortness of breath, rapid heart rate, chest pain, dizziness, and the fear of losing control or dying. PPD affects approximately 5% of new mothers and can often be accompanied by postpartum depression or anxiety.
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Intrusive thoughts, images or urges that moms get stuck on and can’t stop thinking about. Some compulsions involve checking in on the baby over and over again. Moms with OCD often engage in compulsive behaviors to try and make the intrusive thoughts go away.
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Whether your birth didn’t go as planned or an unexpected diagnosis of pre-eclampsia or difficult breast feeding issues, we can also process the unexpected.
My Therapeutic Strategies
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By focusing on physical sensations experienced in the body, it is possible to identify underlying past traumas that may be contributing to current emotional distress. These include injuries and instances of physical and emotional abuse. This “body first” approach, through relaxation and breathing exercises helps people release traces of past trauma.
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Countless studies have shown the effectiveness of meditation in combating stress. Paying attention to one’s experience in the present moment, observing one’s thoughts or emotions without judgment, can contribute to greater calm and emotional clarity.
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(CBT) is a form of psychotherapy that focuses on modifying dysfunctional thoughts, emotions, and behaviors to improve mental well-being. It is based on the idea that thoughts, feelings, and actions are interconnected, and by changing negative thought patterns, individuals can achieve lasting improvements in their emotional and behavioral functioning.
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This therapeutic approach emphasizes acceptance of one’s situation, and then making commitments to strategies to help one move forward in life.
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Problem-solving therapy is a form of therapy that provides clients with tools to identify and solve problems that arise from life stressors, both big and small. Its goal is to improve your overall quality of life and reduce the negative impact of psychological and physical stressors.
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Postpartum discussion groups for moms and caregivers in person at Silver Lake Yoga.
My Services
I offer 50-minute telehealth sessions online. In-person sessions can also be arranged.
Fees: I charge $150 per 50 minute session. I do offer a limited number of sliding scale spots for individuals in need.
I am currently contracted with the Rula Provider platform for mental health service, accepting Aetna, Anthem, Blue Cross And Blue Shield Of Ma, Blue Shield Of Ca, Carelon, Cigna, Decent, Kaiser Permanente (Southern CA), MHN, Optum, Tricare West, just to name a few. I can also provide a super bill to be submitted to your insurance company if they provide reimbursement for out of network mental health services. Check with your insurance company first.
About Me
Juliette Kurth, MSW, Licensed Clinical Social Worker #11638
I have over 30 years of experience working with Pre and Postnatal moms at my yoga studio, Silverlake Yoga. I am also the creator of the Prenatal Teacher Training Program out of Silverlake Yoga. In addition, I have been a Birth and Postpartum Doula for 17 years and began to feel a desire for a larger skill set, working with moms who were experiencing a difficult transition into motherhood. I went back to school at age 57 to the USC School of Social Work with my own concentration in Maternal Mental Health. I did internship hours at Harvest Home, a residential facility here in Los Angeles for unhoused pregnant women and went on to complete my 3200 hours of training towards my L.C.S.W. at Huntington Hospital in their Maternal Wellness Dept., where I still work. I also facilitate mindfulness groups and teach gentle yoga stretching and somatic awareness skills at Huntington Hospital’s I.O.P program. I am a member of the Policy Center For Maternal Mental Health (formally 2020 Moms) as well as Maternal Mental Health Now and a volunteer with Postpartum Depression International. I am passionate about the wellbeing of all moms and the enormous role that motherhood plays in our society and yet is so often under-discussed or ignored.
CONTACT
“You are not alone. You are not to blame. With help, you will be well.”
— Postpartum Support International