For the American Psychological Association’s Mental Health Month Blog Party, I chose to write about a topic we don’t talk about enough: being bullied as an adult. This is my experience of moving into a comfortable suburban neighborhood in northern New Jersey — and discovering that exclusion doesn’t always end after adolescence. Eleven years ago, my husband and I stretched our budget to move into a town with a good school system. Like many families, we hoped to build community

Originally posted April 23, 2012. This is a personal reflection on community, support, and gratitude. Celebrating 50 Years in New Jersey: La Leche League of the Garden State Area Network Conference April 20 – 22 I want to start this article off with the disclaimer. I am not writing this article to make anyone feel guilty about their personal decisions or circumstances surrounding about infant feeding methods. I’m just giving a personal account about something that helped

Originally published April 2, 2012. Understanding how labor patterns have changed can help reduce fear, self-blame, and unnecessary anxiety around childbirth. Research was published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Katherine Laughon, MD, and her colleagues, D. Ware Branch, M.D., Julie Beaver, M.S, and Jun Zhang, Ph.D., M.D., (2012) examined differences in childbirth labor patterns over the past fifty years, comparing data from a large study in the 1960’

Originally posted April 1, 2012. Science and Sensibility I am honored and hope that I can do a good job for Lamaze International for the month of April as their Guest Community Manager for the Science and Sensibility. Stop in here and take a look at my introduction and the the happenings over at Science and Sensibility for the month of April! thanks! Take care,

Originally published March 12, 2012. Mindbody practices have so many benefits, you’d have to order online from outside the US to be able...

Originally published February 27, 2012. Share Your Story – Postpartum Psychosis Janet’s Experience – Postpartum Psychosis & Recovery THINK BEFORE YOU READ Janet’s story is graphic, yet it is a story of recovery. If you are currently experiencing scary thoughts, please do not read this article, as it may trigger negativity. Instead, immediately reach out to get the help you need. Tell a close family member or friend to take you to the doctor. Call a crisis line. If you feel y

Originally published February 20, 2012. In this interview, a mother shares her personal birth story in her own words, offering insight into the emotional, physical, and relational experience of childbirth. Ann Kirchner, CD(DONA) has graciously agreed to share her personal story of her birth, birth trauma, post-traumatic stress symptoms, and her struggle to just get recognition and diagnosis and treatment for severe postpartum depression. Her story is very important. Sprea

Originally published February 11, 2012. You remember the intensity at the beginning of your relationship: you were enveloped in an...

Revisiting Attachment Parenting In Part Five of my Infant Sleep Series, I revisit Dr. Sears’ bed-sharing and attachment parenting books as I am today, the mother of a 17-year-old son and a trained and experienced Licensed Professional Counselor. I first read about Dr. Sears' philosophies as a new mother learning how to breast-feed and learning how to parent, so long ago. I approach Dr. Sears’ work with mixed feelings. I deeply respect his cultural contribution to restoring e

Originally posted October 9, 2011. This is a personal reflection shared in honor of World Mental Health Day, offered to reduce stigma and remind others that help, healing, and hope are possible. Hey there! Honored to be part of PsychCentral’s World Mental Health Day Blog Party! Today, as an LPC, I could write another professional blog about treatment options or family dynamics; like outline a specific self-care relaxation, expressive or cognitive re-framing exercise. But,

Originally published September 19, 2011. Reflections from the Postpartum Support International Conference on gender, hormones, and women’s mental health. Great to see Dr. Jeanne Driscoll! There were so many great speakers talking about the complexities of caring for women in the perinatal period. Dr. Jeanne Driscoll, a practicing psychologist and nurse-practitioner, is co-author with Deborah Sichel, MD of Women’s Moods: What every woman must know about hormones, the brain,

Pregnancy is a time of spiritual & psychological growth, but can also be a time of uncertainty. Personal issues as being in a relationship, balancing career and motherhood, and being a good parent may start to show up. During this time of change, intense emotions may come up as you re-evaluate your ideas about life and relationships. Much joy and much stress may show up, as you wonder about how it will be to become a parent. If you experienced abuse in your past, you ma