Perinatal Mental Health - Julie Stein Counseling

Is the road to parenthood always this roller coaster-y?

I hear you. The steps on the journey to parenthood may not be like what you expected. Whether you are feeling challenged by trying to conceive, pregnancy, parenthood itself, or anywhere in between, the reality is often much more complicated than what you had originally expected. Perhaps you thought things might be challenging, but you didn’t think it would be this hard, or you thought that you would figure it all out faster, or that it would all come more “naturally.” It seems like everyone else has figured it out and is full of advice, but you aren’t sure what to listen to, or how to sort out all the possible approaches. You didn’t realize any of this could be so anxiety-provoking, depressing, or frustrating. Perhaps you and your partner aren’t necessarily on the same page about everything.

perinatal period
the time from conception to two years after baby is born.

perinatal mental health
addresses challenges around fertility, pregnancy, pregnancy loss, adoption, and everything that happens in the postpartum period once baby is born.

I am here to listen and help you figure out next steps, develop coping and communication strategies, and slow down so that you can be present with the experience – the joys and frustrations alike. By digging in and increasing clarity around your wants and needs you will learn how to better advocate for and take care of yourself, which will, in turn, make the journey more enjoyable.

I believe that:

what is best for baby are parents who are rested and kind to themselves
“mother’s instinct” is just the result of trial and error
raising children is a huge honor and that children can be our greatest teachers
children can push our buttons and be a real pain in the ass sometimes
the best thing we can do for our children is work through our own psychological baggage so that we don’t inadvertently put it on them
we all screw up sometimes; the important part is to repair with your child and strive to do better next time

The reality of new parenthood can be incredibly daunting and full of ups and downs. While a new baby usually brings a great deal of joy to parents, it also brings sleep challenges, crying, and a lot of poop. The learning curve, particularly in the first year, is very steep. This can lead to feelings of anxiety, depression, panic, frustration, failure, exhaustion, and more.

I became passionate about working as a perinatal mental health therapist after I had my two kids. As a new mother, I had a steep learning curve; I was an underprepared overachiever, and I felt overwhelmed by a feeling of never getting it “right.” With support, I learned how to slow down, feel inward, and listen to myself and my partner more.