Holding Space for Perinatal Mental Health

We are kicking off a new series this season: “Holding Space through the Complicated” and who better to usher in a mindset shift around holding space than 2 therapists?

Join us in conversation with Allison Lieberman & Yvette Osorio of Rooted Harmony Counseling as we discuss supporting clients and loved ones with postpartum transition and PMADs-perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.

Allison Lieberman, LMFT
Yvette Osorio, AMFT
Maggie Runyon, MSN, RNC-OB

This week’s panel!

Allison is: Mom of 2 toddlers, Postpartum Anxiety Survivor, Passionate about women’s health and opportunity, Modern-Day Foodie, Crime Junkie, & Dog mom to my adopted puppy
Yvette is: Mom of a toddler, Proud dog mom to my 12-year-old pup, Harry Potter Fanatic, Spanish Speaking, Passionate about destigmatizing mental health in the Latinx Community, & Advocate for emotion coaching parenting
You can follow their work through their blog and on social media: instagram, & facebook.

Here in the US we have normalized ridiculous expectations around the transition to postpartum and as a result often ignore and stigmatize seeking support around postpartum mental health. As birthworkers we have a responsibility to recognize the impact of our words and actions when we are addressing someone’s mental health just as much as when we’re addressing a physical concern. We are also seeing significant increases in PMADs during the pandemic, which we cannot ignore.

Graphic courtesy of Krysta Dancy,
Learn About Trauma

Join Allison, Yvette, & Maggie this week as we explore:

~holding space for vs “fixing” an issue

~recognizing and supporting postpartum parents with mental health concerns

~COVID-19 and the pandemic’s impact on postpartum mental health

~stigma in seeking mental health resources

~the importance of culturally congruent therapists for BIPOC

~changing how we talk about treatment and medications for PMADs in comparison to other medical concerns

~dropping the “supermom” narrative

For more information and support around perinatal mental health,
check out these resources:

Find a therapist trained in perinatal mental health support

Information about the Perinatal Mental Health Alliance for People of Color

Find a Black Female Therapist

SAMHSA National Helpline

Book recommendations from Allison & Yvette:

Good Moms Have Scary Thoughts

The Fourth Trimester

The Postpartum Husband

What Am I Thinking

Check out this episode’s full transcript or tune in wherever you enjoy podcasts.

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