Work With Maya · Maternal Mental Health

Postpartum and maternal mental health therapy in New York

Becoming a mother changes your body, your sense of self, your relationships, and your understanding of who you are. Matrescence, the psychological and relational process of becoming a mother, is one of the most significant shifts a person moves through, and one that often happens without much room to process it.

I work with people from pregnancy through the early years of parenthood, including postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, intrusive thoughts, a birth that didn't go as planned, and the quieter feeling of not recognizing yourself. I also work with partners going through it alongside them.

What brings people in

People come to me during pregnancy, in the first weeks after a birth, and years into parenting. Some are dealing with postpartum depression or anxiety. Some have intrusive thoughts that frighten them, or a birth that didn't go the way they planned. Others can't point to one thing and simply don't feel like themselves.

Many new parents wait, because they assume this is just how it's supposed to feel or that it will pass on its own. Some of it is common. You don't have to wait until it feels unbearable to get support.

How we work together

My primary approach is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). We make room for feelings that don't match the picture you had of motherhood, get some distance from the harsh stories your mind tells you, and take small steps toward the kind of parent, and person, you want to be. Sometimes, if it helps, we write.

Your body is part of it

Sleep, feeding, recovery, hormones, and thyroid health can all affect mood after a birth. When it's relevant, I may suggest checking in with your OB, midwife, or doctor about bloodwork, so nothing physical gets missed. I don't provide medical care, but I pay attention to the whole picture.

If you're in crisis, call or text 988, or the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262), any time.

Getting started

Sessions are 55 minutes over secure video, for adults anywhere in New York State. I accept insurance through Headway, including Aetna, Anthem, Carelon, Cigna, and Curative, and offer self-pay sessions at $180 with a limited number of sliding-scale spots.

The first step is a free 15-minute call to talk about what's bringing you in and whether we're a good fit.