Providing therapy services to individuals who have been impacted by trauma or distress related to pregnancy, birth, and/or postpartum. Currently offering virtual sessions to those residing in California & Massachusetts.
Hi! I'm Johanna
As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) working with clients in both California and Massachusetts, I am deeply passionate about supporting women through life’s transitions and challenges, particularly during the perinatal period.
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You are not alone.
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Maternal Mental Health
Birth Trauma
Trauma is not just an event that took place sometime in the past; it is also the imprint left by that experience on mind, brain, and body.
-Bessel van der Kolk
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Are you finding yourself overwhelmed, standing in the shower, unable to catch your breath, tears falling without warning? Do you feel a deep grief for the birth experience you had hoped for but didn’t get? Are you struggling to bond with your baby, even though you desperately want to connect?
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You may be experiencing nightmares or flashbacks, haunted by moments of your pregnancy or childbirth. You might even feel the need to avoid anything that reminds you of that time—your body feels like it has betrayed you, and you feel as though no one can truly understand what you’ve been through.
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If any of this resonates with you, please know that you are not alone, and your experience is valid. The emotional toll of birth trauma and postpartum struggles can be profound, leaving you feeling isolated and unsure of where to turn for support.
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It’s okay to seek help. Healing is possible, and therapy can provide a safe space where you can process your feelings, work through the trauma, and reclaim your sense of peace and strength. Together, we can navigate this difficult journey and help you find the path toward healing, self-compassion, and connection.
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You don’t have to carry this burden on your own. If you're ready to begin this process, I’m here to support you every step of the way.
1 in 3 individuals report their birth experience as traumatic.
Birth trauma can refer to both physical and emotional distress experienced during labor and delivery. It often arises from complications during childbirth, feelings of a loss of control, or negative experiences with healthcare providers. While birth trauma can involve physical injuries to the mother or baby, it also includes emotional and psychological harm that can be just as profound.
Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorders
You may be familiar with the term "baby blues," which refers to the temporary emotional changes that many new mothers go through as they adapt to life with a newborn.Feeling overwhelmed during this time is completely normal, but if those emotions last longer than a few weeks or feel more intense, it might be a sign that you need more support.
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Research shows that 1 in 5 moms will experience a Perinatal Mood and/or Anxiety Disorder during pregnancy or the first year after childbirth. These can include postpartum depression, anxiety, panic, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and in rare cases, postpartum psychosis. The good news is that these conditions are treatable, but they often go unrecognized because many moms aren’t screened for them, and there’s still a lot of stigma, fear, and uncertainty around maternal mental health.
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If you’re feeling this way, or if you know someone who is, please know that it’s okay to ask for help. You don’t have to go through this alone, and there are resources and support systems ready to guide you through it. Taking care of your mental health is just as important as taking care of your body, and reaching out for support is a brave and necessary step.
Approaches
​Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)
Person-Centered Therapy
Experiential Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Mindfulness
What is EMDR?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a well-researched therapy that has helped many individuals process the emotional impact of past trauma. Through this structured approach, you will be guided to focus on distressing memories while simultaneously engaging in bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements. This process helps reduce the intensity and vividness of those memories, allowing them to be reprocessed in a way that feels less overwhelming. EMDR can offer valuable support during the perinatal period, helping individuals process and heal from trauma related to pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum experience.
We all need a space to fall apart so we can begin to make ourselves whole again.
Currently offering virtual sessions in CA and MA