Mom and Mind

This episode covers an important topic geared toward therapists, perinatal mental health providers, and play therapists who want to have cultural humility with an anti-oppressive stance. You’ll learn what this means and how this viewpoint benefits the families affected by our work. Join us! Meyleen Velasquez is an immigrant Latinx psychotherapist specializing in perinatal and infant mental health. She has a doctorate in social work and focused her research on anti-racist and anti-oppressive mental health services. Her practice supports birthing people and clinicians working from an anti-oppressive framework. Meyleen is a Brown woman living with vitiligo and is the author of What Therapists Need to Know About Perinatal and Early Relational Health: A Guide to Anti-Oppressive Counseling with Caregivers, Babies, and Young Children [https://www.routledge.com/What-Therapists-Need-to-Know-About-Perinatal-and-Early-Relational-Health-A-Guide-to-Anti-Oppressive-Counseling-with-Caregivers-Babies-and-Yo/Velasquez/p/book/9781032256504?srsltid=AfmBOopFpJ6yElI_l7bVPHEYAvGOyt9nJy0TdHzLXoBjrBbLDHmpWHa9].  Meyleen sits on the board of the Alliance for the Advancement of Infant Mental Health and has served as the Chair for the Florida Chapter of Postpartum Support International and as the past president of the FL Association for Play Therapy. She enjoys training, speaking, and writing, and believes that the more we can support each other, the better for our communities.  Show Highlights: * Understanding the field of infant mental health  * Spoiling your child vs. “toughening up” your child * The challenge in having healthy relationships * Anti-oppression and an Indigenous worldview of the past and present * Self-awareness, reflective consultations, and how we sit with clients * We need to break free of our system of being on autopilot through life. * Bigger, stronger, wiser, and kinder—even to ourselves * What Meyleen would love to see change in our culture of mental health care * The “Hollywood” perception of therapy is inaccurate. * Meyleen’s thoughts on who would benefit most from her book * A description of an anti-oppressive practitioner * The immense responsibility to do this work to help families Resources: Connect with Meyleen Velasquez: Website [https://www.hummingbirdcounseling.com], YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/c/meyleenvelasquez], Instagra [https://www.instagram.com/meyleenvelasquez/]m, and What Therapists Need to Know About Perinatal and Early Relational Health: A Guide to Anti-Oppressive Counseling with Caregivers, Babies, and Young Children [https://www.routledge.com/What-Therapists-Need-to-Know-About-Perinatal-and-Early-Relational-Health-A-Guide-to-Anti-Oppressive-Counseling-with-Caregivers-Babies-and-Yo/Velasquez/p/book/9781032256504?srsltid=AfmBOoqu074iOGBoXmORNEBNhYVjPWhONlkyB9e71gUkyrhFzeUnrmU_] Call the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA or visit cdph.ca.gov [https://www.cdph.ca.gov] Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International [https://www.postpartum.net/], or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to be more supportive in offering services.  You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/postpartumsupportinternational/?hl=en], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/groups/25960478598/], and most other platforms Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ [https://www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/] for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com [https://www.wellmindperinatal.com], for more information, resources, and courses you can take today! If you are a California resident looking for a therapist in perinatal mental health, email me [drkat@wellmindperinatal.com] about openings for private pay clients!

A common issue that comes up frequently in therapy is taking medication during the perinatal period. There is much debate and many conflicting emotions about this decision of whether or not to take medication. It’s a personal choice that each person has to make, but we need to understand the emotional process around this decision. Join me for a closer look! Show Highlights: * Medication should be viewed as another tool in the toolkit. * Assessing symptoms that might indicate a need for medication * The role of a therapist is to be an objective onlooker. * The basic need to “get through” each day * The severity of symptoms doesn’t always align with the capacity to function. * Taking a sensible approach and a full-picture view * Dr. Kat’s process in suggesting medication to a patient * The wide range of responses to the suggestion of psychiatric medication: sadness, grief, disappointment, and defeat—-and SO much stigma! * The initial benefit of medication is feeling a weight lift off your shoulders so you can use coping skills and experience relief. * It’s okay to have medication questions, and other people’s opinions shouldn’t be the final say. * Dr. Kat’s words of encouragement about making this difficult decision Resources: Call the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA or visit cdph.ca.gov [https://www.cdph.ca.gov] Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International [https://www.postpartum.net/], or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to be more supportive in offering services.  You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/postpartumsupportinternational/?hl=en], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/groups/25960478598/], and most other platforms Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ [https://www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/] for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com [https://www.wellmindperinatal.com], for more information, resources, and courses you can take today! If you are a California resident looking for a therapist in perinatal mental health, email me [drkat@wellmindperinatal.com] about openings for private pay clients!

In today’s episode, we discuss feminism, motherhood, and how to understand modern feminism, which may differ from how we’ve interpreted it in the past. Looking through a feminist lens can be supportive of moms and their partners. Join us! My guest is Erin Spahr, a licensed therapist, mother, feminist, podcast host, and maternal mental health advocate based in Raleigh, NC. She uses a feminist lens in her work with mothers and strives to help them free themselves from oppressive societal expectations and find more confidence and self-compassion. She hosts The Feminist Mom Podcast [https://www.feministmompodcast.com/], where she discusses the intersection of feminism and motherhood with inspiring guests. Erin created an inclusive provider directory that connects mothers, birthing individuals, and families in the US and Canada with perinatal providers who provide inclusivity and identity-affirming care.  Show Highlights: * Erin’s journey into her work with motherhood and feminism from a background in social justice and trauma work * Erin’s heightened awareness of injustices toward mothers during her perinatal experience * The truth vs. misconceptions about feminism * A focus on the needs of mothers that are unique (from Dr. Andrea O’Reilly’s work with matricentric feminism) * Arguments against feminism in today’s world * Societal impacts on motherhood * A two-day weekend is NOT working! * Shortcomings in the ways we are treating moms * The “fix”---through a feminist lens, looking at the individual, relationship, and collective levels * An explanation of our patriarchal systems in American society * What it means to be a cycle-breaker Resources: Call the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA or visit cdph.ca.gov [https://www.cdph.ca.gov] Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International [https://www.postpartum.net/], or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to be more supportive in offering services.  You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/postpartumsupportinternational/?hl=en], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/groups/25960478598/], and most other platforms Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ [https://www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/] for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com [https://www.wellmindperinatal.com], for more information, resources, and courses you can take today! If you are a California resident looking for a therapist in perinatal mental health, email me [drkat@wellmindperinatal.com] about openings for private pay clients! Connect with Erin Spahr Website [https://www.erinspahrtherapy.com], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/feminist.mom.therapist/?hl=en], and The Feminist Mom Podcast [https://www.feministmompodcast.com/]

I’m excited to welcome Daphne Delvaux, “The Mama Attorney,” to the show for today’s episode. She’s an award-winning trial attorney and the founder of Delvaux Law, the nation’s first and only law firm devoted to women’s rights at work. She created The Mama Attorney [https://www.themamattorney.com/], a platform on a mission to educate mothers on their rights at work and teach them to advocate for their needs so they can protect their pregnancies. She helps women get more time with their kids, get more benefits, and ask for accommodations without sacrificing their career goals. Being raised by a single mom in Belgium gave Daphne a desire to advocate for and support mothers. She has been recognized as a leader of the women’s rights movement by news outlets across the globe, including ABC News, Huffington Post, the NY Times, the Wall Street Journal, and more. She was awarded the Outstanding Trial Lawyer award for winning an equal pay trial, and she’s the mother of two boys. Her passion for women’s and mothers’ rights led her to champion women in a myriad of ways outside her law practice, and she is the founder of Chamber of Mothers, a collective movement to focus America’s priorities on mothers’ rights. Daphne also created a membership to her organization, The Liberated Mother Society [https://theliberatedmothersociety.com/], which helps moms understand and assert their rights in the workplace, including extended maternity leave benefits, more flexibility, more breaks, and protections. Her membership also includes attorney-drafted and trusted scripts to use in email communication with management and HR departments, and her book is set to come out in 2025.  Show Highlights: * Don’t assume that HR is there to help you! * The complexities of maternity law from state to state * The muddy waters of paid maternity leave in the US * Advocacy, HR, and your rights * Three rights during and after your pregnancy * Understanding leave and accommodations * What your employer is allowed to ask you—and not allowed to ask you * Your rights in returning to work after maternity leave * Daphne’s advice for small business owners who don’t have an HR department * How Daphne is filling the gap and meeting the needs of women in the workplace Resources: Connect with Daphne Delvaux: The Mama Attorney [https://www.themamattorney.com/] website, Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/themamattorney/?hl=en],  Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/themamattorney/], and The Liberated Mother Society [https://theliberatedmothersociety.com/] Call the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA or visit cdph.ca.gov [https://www.cdph.ca.gov] Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International [https://www.postpartum.net/], or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to be more supportive in offering services.  You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/postpartumsupportinternational/?hl=en], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/groups/25960478598/], and most other platforms Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ [https://www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/] for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com [https://www.wellmindperinatal.com], for more information, resources, and courses you can take today! If you are a California resident looking for a therapist in perinatal mental health, email me about openings for private pay clients!

There are seasonal themes that come up every year in therapy, and stress around the holidays is always a common issue. The joy of the season and family togetherness come with many challenges. Navigating the perinatal world adds complications to the mix of holiday stress, whether you’re pregnant, a new mom, or busy with older kids; there is a unique exhaustion to holiday parenting. Medical conditions, the pain of loss, and infertility struggles can compound holiday stress even further, and there can be immense pressure to put on a happy face and pretend that all is well. Let’s take a closer look in today’s episode! Show Highlights: * Do what you need to do to care for yourself. * Challenges with mental health, physical well-being, relationships, and finances * Coping strategies; Start by setting limits and boundaries. * You can say NO. * It’s okay to simplify the holidays. * Asking for help is NOT a cop-out. * Let go of expectations of perfection. * My advice: Step back, take inventory, consider your capacity, and adjust. Be flexible with yourself.  Resources: Call the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA or visit cdph.ca.gov [https://www.cdph.ca.gov] Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International [https://www.postpartum.net/], or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to be more supportive in offering services.  You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/postpartumsupportinternational/?hl=en], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/groups/25960478598/], and most other platforms Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ [https://www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/] for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com [https://www.wellmindperinatal.com], for more information, resources, and courses you can take today! If you are a California resident looking for a therapist in perinatal mental health, email me [drkat@wellmindperinatal.com] about openings for private pay clients!