Welcome to the corner of social media where evidence-based information is power, education is still valued, and lived-experience can be shared — not silenced and stigmatized. I’m so glad you’re here.

A brief introduction (and why I’m qualified to talk about all this)

I recently completed my doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Utah, final residency year at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, and am now a postdoctoral fellow at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in New Hampshire with complementary research and clinical interests. I am passionate about addressing maternal and reproductive health-related concerns from a biopsychosocial perspective, combatting societal stigma, and leading research, advocacy, and policy efforts.

Clinically, I work with individuals with a range of maternal and reproductive health concerns, including PMADs, perinatal trauma and loss, infertility, and life-impacting gynecological conditions. My research is primarily centered on childbirth-related pelvic floor injuries and conditions and intersections with mental health. In addition to enhancing evidence-based mental health treatment and resources for those impacted, I am leading research and health system quality improvement projects to enhance patient-provider communication patterns surrounding birth-related trauma and injuries in the perinatal period.

Both my clinical work and research are shaped by consistent efforts to understand and incorporate cultural and health equity considerations. Through my professional work in reproductive mental health and my own lived experience with a childbirth-related pelvic floor injury, I have gained a deeper appreciation for how navigating physical health conditions and invisibility disabilities can influence psychosocial distress, maternal self-efficacy, engagement with the healthcare system, and treatment response. I have also increasingly recognized ways in which race, class, other identities, and systems of oppression and privilege intersect with health-related adversity and maternal mental health concerns. I strive to embody an attitude of cultural humility and work to continuously expand my perspectives in this area and learn from others.

Alongside my professional work, I am the mother of two young children and enjoy mountain biking, hiking, camping, and Nordic skiing with my family. The photo below is from a recent family hike up Mt. Willard. :)

What you can expect to find here

In this newsletter, I write about maternal mental health and related topics. If you’re a parent, you’ve probably learned that “…and related topics” is far broader than we imagined prior to bringing our tiny humans into the world! In light of that, there will be very few “off limits” topics, but I am committed to staying within my professional scope, referring to others with more expertise when relevant, and not providing personalized medical recommendations, in line with the established ethical principles and code of conduct for psychologists. You can expect to see posts on the following topics —

• Childbirth-related pelvic floor injuries and conditions

• Managing maternal and general mental health concerns

• Navigating parenting challenges and complex decisions

• Matrescence, and identity disintegration and reintegration

• Managing chronic medical conditions, deconstructing ableism, and redefining strength

• “Balancing” work and valued roles within and outside of the home

• The duality of joy and grief in motherhood

• Chasing adventure and getting outside with tiny humans in tow

• What it means to live a “good life” in the midst of unexpected hard

• Health equity and sociopolitical factors in optimizing wellbeing

• How to stay engaged and informed and without drowning when what we’re seeing in the news feels so soul-crushing and oppressive

This newsletter and community is likely FOR you if you:

1. Care about anything I described above.

2. Care about other and issues beyond the concerns that directly impact YOU.

3. Want to build more comfort with uncertainty and navigating the “messy middle space” rather than being pulled into unhelpful, polarized extremes.

4. Understand that motherhood is inherently political (i.e., our society’s policies shape how we move through our lives, seek out support, access resources for our children, etc) and and that my work as a maternal and reproductive health psychologist cannot be separated from current sociopolitical shifts.

This newsletter and community is likely NOT FOR you if you:

1. Are unable to uphold the humanity and dignity of those who differ from you

2. Believe (or are unwilling to reflect on the belief) that there is only ONE RIGHT WAY to embody the role of mother/parent, pursue meaningful work, support our children’s sleep and feeding habits, etc.

My goals for this community

My intention is that this newsletter and community becomes (and remains) a kind and safe space for curiosity, learning more about enhancing mental health and wellbeing, exploring uncertainty and the “messy middle space”, sensitive discussion of difficult topics, and choosing hope (an action not just a feeling).

Free subscribers have access to :

• The majority of posts for two weeks after posting

• Select posts forever

Paid subscribers have access to :

• My full archive of posts - search through and revisit for info as needed

• Our community chat, where we can discuss all the things, troll/bot free (turns, trolls don’t pay to be rude ;).

• Alternating monthly Q&As and Zoom info/support sessions

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