Perinatal Mental Health
A Therapeutic Group for New Mothers (Virtual Edition)
The transition to new parenthood may be one of the biggest shifts one can experience in life. While exciting, it can often be riddled with challenges… some expected, some not. Once in the thick of it, parents often report overwhelm that can profoundly affect their mental health and wellbeing, with symptoms of depression and anxiety often being very common.
This group has been developed to provide a space for new parents to discuss their own experiences- at once highly personal yet deeply woven into the fabric of a society that emphasizes the newborn over the new mother. This group is equal parts supportive and empowering, cathartic and connective. We hope to offer you a space (from the comfort of your home) to talk about all the ups and downs of new parenthood.
Our hope is that this group will help improve mood & adjustment to parenting, decrease social and emotional isolation, improve relationships, develop coping strategies, and normalize the REAL experience of motherhood—YOURS.
The aim is to support YOU through this transition. We want you to take as good care of yourself as we know you already do for your little one.
Led by therapists who are also mothers, Caitlin Beukema and Lisa Azzopardi weave in treatment interventions throughout the group including CBT, DBT, EMDR, Mindfulness, Self Compassion, Narrative Therapy and more. Collectively, Caitlin and Lisa specialize in the areas of perinatal mental health & child and family mental health.
Over eight sessions, we will address themes including:
Processing your story
Birth trauma
Identity and transitions
Isolation
Intrusive thoughts & worries
Self-care & collective care
Changes & challenges in intimate relationships and partnerships
Family dynamics & communication
Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders
Parenting Strategies
Parent-child attachment
Guilt & shame
Details:
WINTER 2022: THURSDAY JANUARY 13th- THURSDAY MARCH 3, 2022, 12:30-1:30pm
Suitable for: Postpartum mothers with infants 18 months and younger.
Cost for 8 Sessions: $397. Receipts will be provided for insurance for coverage under Registered Social Workers in Ontario.
Accessibility Policy: We would like to acknowledge the significant barriers that can be present for many folk who need support; particularly including but not limited to BIPOC, trans-identified or disabled. If you feel that you could use the support of this group but do not have access to funds or insurance, please reach out to us and we will offer a lower rate. We trust your experience and do not need any justification or explanation.
Mutual Aid for Perinatal Mental Health. A portion of the proceeds of this group will be given as a donation to Ocama Collective, a community directed group supporting both BIPOC birth workers and BIPOC Folx. Ocama offers doula care, lactation consultation, programming + workshops and wages for essential birth workers. The collective is grounded in both traditional birth practices and provides inclusive resources to the community.