Originally posted June 4, 2012. I am happy to say that the proofs for my BirthTouch® books have finally arrived! I wrote the first edition of BirthTouch® Shiatsu & Acupressure for the Childbearing Year twelve years ago, in 2000. The second edition is out in proofs now as is BirthTouch®Healing for Parents in the NICU. I have been a shiatsu, Jin Shin Do® and Reiki practitioner since 1996. I studied so many energy healing methods over the years…it is one of my favorite ar

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

Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible. – Dalai Lama Dr. Ann Becker-Schutte wrote a blog post called Invisible Pain , discussing how people with chronic invisible illnesses such as fibromyalgia, diabetes, Cushings Disease, etc. might be silently suffering and dismissed as having pain “all in their head.” Her post reminded me of a video on You Tube posted on Facebook by one of my therapist friends, Carol Rosen . It shows a man who, with special glasses, can tel

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

Public discussions of infant death and substance use often lack clinical nuance, which can unintentionally increase stigma and blame toward grieving mothers. This article aims to clarify what we know about Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), substance use in pregnancy, and the designation “Infant of a Substance-Using Mother (ISAM),” while emphasizing compassion, evidence, and the limits of our current understanding. Here are some facts about SIDS: The occurrence of SIDS has