Mom and Mind | Pregnancy and Postpartum Depression & Anxiety

Katayune Kaeni, Psy.D., PMH-C
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  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • EVERY TWO WEEKS

Posptartum Depression is real. And it's only part of the story. We dig in to ALL of the stuff that no one tells you about, but you NEED to know. Dr. Kat, Psychologist and specialist in perinatal mental health, interviews moms, dads, experts and advocates about how to cope, manage and recover from perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. We talk about postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety and SO MUCH MORE! We get real. We get honest. We put on our stigma crushing boots and address the realities of the transition to motherhood and parenthood. Learn about it before you find out about it the hard way! You don't have to suffer! www.momandmind.com

  1. Supporting Military Families Through Pregnancy and Postpartum Mental Health (Ep. 475)

    1 DAY AGO

    Supporting Military Families Through Pregnancy and Postpartum Mental Health (Ep. 475)

    In May, which is Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month, I’ll be releasing weekly episodes. In June, we will celebrate 10 full years of the Mom & Mind Podcast–480 episodes of personal stories, expert interviews, paths to healing, and a multitude of ways to know you’re not alone in experiencing difficulties in fertility, loss, pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Join us to hear today’s guest share her focus on perinatal mental health for military families.  Patience Riley is a perinatal mental health specialist who bridges the gap between clinical expertise and somatic wellness. With 14 years of experience as a licensed professional counselor, Patience offers a multifaceted approach to healing by integrating her roles as a therapist, RETAIN Parental Leave Coach, and 200-HR Registered Yoga Teacher specializing in prenatal care. Patience’s career is defined by her work in high-impact settings, including psychiatric hospitals, crisis intervention, and military installations. As a military spouse, she brings a deeply personal understanding of the unique challenges facing service members and their families. Patience channels this dedication into her roles on the PSI Georgia Board and PSI Military Task Force, working to ensure every family, military and civilian alike, has access to the specialized support they deserve. In her private practice, Patience primarily supports clients during the perinatal period through individual therapy, yoga, and mental wellness workshops in her community. A popular keynote speaker, she serves in various leadership positions and has been featured in multiple media outlets. Outside of work, Patience is a creative, a foodie, and a “plant mom” who loves a good festival. She loves doing life with her college sweetheart and their two sons.  Show Highlights: Patience’s work in private practice with perinatal mental health and yoga Mental health seems scary, but yoga is a gateway to deeper mind-and-body healing. The stigma of seeking mental health help extends to military spouses. “Mission ready” and “service first” mentalities keep service members from seeking help. A “no records/no notes” approach encourages military members to access the mental health services available to them. Common barriers to access to mental health services for service members and their families Parental leave policies for military members include birth, loss, and adoption. Patience’s story of motherhood with two sons: multiple moves, COVID, her husband’s deployment, no local support system/community, and anger/rage Feeling the need to filter everything, especially negative feelings about the military Patience’s key message to military families: “Support is out there, it is available, and you deserve it.”  Resources:  Connect with Patience Riley  Website, Facebook, Instagram,  Additional Resources Military OneSource Counseling, PSI Military Resources and Support Group, Telemynd Virtual Mental Health Care, MMHLA Fact Sheet, and Military Reach (accessible and practical research for military families) Call the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA or visitcdph.ca.gov. Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, 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, Facebook, and most other platforms. Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/for information on the grief course.  Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!  If you are a California resident seeking a therapist in perinatal mental health, please email me about openings for private pay clients. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    45 min
  2. Bioenergetic Body-Centered Healing for Perinatal Mental Health (Ep. 474)

    27 APR

    Bioenergetic Body-Centered Healing for Perinatal Mental Health (Ep. 474)

    There is an increased awareness recently about bringing somatic-based tools into our therapy practices, mainly because so much of the perinatal experience is influenced by the changes taking place in our bodies. Today’s guest explains why a body approach to therapy can help perinatal clients, how perinatal experiences can alienate a woman from her body, and why this type of therapy can be beneficial for those in the perinatal period. Join us to learn more! Dr. Leslie Ann Costello is a psychologist and certified bioenergetic therapist. Originally a preschool teacher, she volunteered as a Lamaze instructor in the 1980s and subsequently studied developmental psychology, with a focus on infant mental health. Professional encounters with pregnancy and infant loss propelled her toward maternal mental health as a career focus. As a freshly minted Ph.D., she landed in a grant-funded prenatal clinic in Louisiana, soaking up experiences that shaped the trajectory of her thirty-year career as a professor, therapist, trainer, and supervisor. Leslie is a mom, step-mom, and grandmother who identifies as an American living in Canada. Her new book, Helping Mothers Helping Babies, is for perinatal therapists who want to bring somatic tools into their work with clients.  Show Highlights: The cultural shift that focuses more on the mother and her somatic experience The “mother first” philosophy in perinatal mental health Respecting the language of body sensation OVER the language of emotion and story Using physical grounding exercises can help with emotional overwhelm. With somatic tools, slower is always better. Not having the language for your direct experience is normal. Dr. Costello’s message about the benefits of body-centered healing therapies Understanding somatic interventions The WHAT is more important than the WHY in understanding a body experience. Drawbacks of the current culture of aesthetic living and parenting Maternity leave: differences in the US and Canada Drawbacks in the US practice of maternity leave (It’s not socially responsible to ignore the 4th trimester.) Resources:  Connect with Dr. Leslie Ann Costello: Instagram and Helping Mothers Helping Babies Call the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA or visit CDPH. Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, 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, Facebook, and most other platforms. Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/for information on the grief course.  Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!  If you are a California resident seeking a therapist in perinatal mental health, please email me about openings for private pay clients. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    52 min
  3. Perinatal Mental Health Risks: Using the HEAL MAMAS Tool (Ep. 473)

    13 APR

    Perinatal Mental Health Risks: Using the HEAL MAMAS Tool (Ep. 473)

    Today’s episode focuses on the HEAL MAMAS advocacy tool and the importance of understanding risk factors for perinatal mental health. Women and their providers need to know the risks for PMADs and the screening process. This tool can help! Join us to learn more! Sarah Baroud has been a clinical social worker for over 15 years, working in a variety of settings with children and families. She established her private practice in 2021 to focus on perinatal mental health, bringing together her professional expertise and personal postpartum struggles. Sarah works with individuals and couples through the family planning process, the postpartum period, and beyond. She serves on the board of the Massachusetts Chapter of Postpartum Support International and advocates for policies that improve maternal health outcomes. She recently testified in the Massachusetts State House in support of a postpartum psychosis bill that would prioritize treatment over criminalization. She is a wife and mom of two who lives near Boston, Massachusetts.  Show Highlights: Understanding the HEAL MAMAS advocacy tool—and why it was created Sarah’s vision for how the tool can be used by birthing people, their loved ones, and providers The HEAL MAMAS tool: Sarah’s blend of her personal experience, what she was hearing from clients, and evidence-based information about risk and protective factors A basic understanding of “protective factors” Components of the acronym:  HEAL: (Help, Emotions, Activities of Daily Living, and Learn)  MAMAS: (Medical, Apathetic, Medication, Anxious, and Support Structures) The tool’s targeted approach to address and acknowledge what’s “really going on” with someone and bring empowerment Sarah’s approach with providers who need to use this tool in their practices The tool’s benefit to be used in tandem with the traditional screening process Sarah’s next big step for the tool: a partnership with Tufts University grad students The possibilities are endless as to where this tool can be posted and circulated to reach the perinatal population and their families.  Sarah’s high hopes for the HEAL MAMAS tool in the future Resources:  Connect with Sarah Baroud:  Sarah’s Website, HEAL MAMAS.org, and Instagram Call the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA or visitcdph.ca.gov. Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, 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, Facebook, and most other platforms. Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/for information on the grief course.  Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!  If you are a California resident seeking a therapist in perinatal mental health, please email me about openings for private pay clients. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    31 min
  4. Birth Trauma EMDR: Recovery from PTSD and Negative Core Beliefs (Ep 472)

    30 MAR

    Birth Trauma EMDR: Recovery from PTSD and Negative Core Beliefs (Ep 472)

    Today’s episode focuses on EMDR, what it is, and how it can help struggling moms shift their mindsets at the root of trauma. We are discussing EMDR intensives, including how to assess your readiness for this type of healing, and how it differs from typical talk therapy. Join us to learn more! Amity Olson, LCSW, has been providing individual and group therapy since 2008. Her clinical work focuses on helping adults heal from trauma through evidence-based techniques. She owns Olson Counseling Services and currently works with mothers who are struggling to manage and navigate unrealistic expectations. Amity loves to “nerd out” on administrative tasks and recently began offering budgeting services for solo practitioners in private practice through Practice Desk x OCS. She is an EMDR-certified therapist, a member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers, and a member of the Academy of Food Allergy Counseling. Outside of work, Amity is an avid Green Bay Packers fan and a mom struggling to survive her child’s senior year of high school. She is licensed to practice in Delaware, Florida, Iowa, and Wisconsin.  Show Highlights: A basic understanding of EMDR, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, and how it helps the mind and body “get on the same page.” EMDR incorporates audio and tactile techniques in a customized way for each person.  There is no time limit on past traumas that can be reshaped and reprocessed. The reality of any therapy modality: Healing isn’t easy; it’s a process. Common beliefs that moms have upon beginning a therapy journey (“I’m not enough, There’s something wrong with me, I’m not perfect enough,” etc.) Conditions that can benefit from EMDR (You don’t have to have a PTSD diagnosis!) EMDR is safe and helpful for most pregnant patients and can be provided in person and virtually with the same functionality. The benefits of therapy in an EMDR-intensive form Consider EMDR as an adjunct therapy along with traditional talk therapy.  Curious about EMDR? Hear Amity’s advice about learning more and finding the right therapist for you.  Resources:  Connect with Amity Olson: Website, Bookkeeping Services for Therapists, Facebook, Instagram, and EMDRIA Call the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA or visitcdph.ca.gov. Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, 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, Facebook, and most other platforms. Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/for information on the grief course.  Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!  If you are a California resident seeking a therapist in perinatal mental health, please email me about openings for private pay clients. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    39 min
  5. Postpartum Psychosis Recovery: Spotting the Symptoms and Getting Inpatient Help with Jade Lloyd (Ep 471)

    16 MAR

    Postpartum Psychosis Recovery: Spotting the Symptoms and Getting Inpatient Help with Jade Lloyd (Ep 471)

    Today’s guest shares the events leading up to her postpartum psychosis, what she experienced, and how she managed to recover. It is important to hear stories like this so people understand postpartum psychosis and know how to get help. We all need to recognize the symptoms and get the people we love the help they need. Join us for Jade’s powerful story.  Jade Lloyd is a survivor of postpartum psychosis and a maternal mental health advocate from the UK. Her maternal mental health struggles began with anxiety and sleeplessness, soon progressing to scary, intrusive thoughts and hallucinations. Jade shares her story in the hope that more knowledge and understanding about postpartum depression, anxiety, and psychosis will lead to more moms getting the help they need without shame, blame, and stigma.  Show Highlights: Jade’s story: An easy pregnancy and plans for an at-home water birth turned into an induction, epidural, followed by a ventouse/forceps delivery. Immediate feelings of shame and failure for not having the delivery she wanted With a December 2020 birth, COVID lockdowns contributed to Jade’s mental health struggles. The first symptom Jade noticed was anxiety. Social media was Jade’s primary socialization, which led her to feel even more inadequate as a new mom. Getting up the courage to admit to the doctor that she was “not ok.” When asking for help makes you feel like an inconvenience A specific event one night that scared Jade because of intrusive thoughts of harming herself Dealing with the self-imposed pressure to be the perfect mom Help from medications and a doctor who checked in with Jade regularly Even with medication, Jade’s struggles continued with intrusive thoughts.  Jade’s feelings of losing touch with reality and experiencing hallucinations Treatment in the mother-baby unit Jade’s passion for sharing her story and doing advocacy work for those with PPP Hope for the future Jade’s message to listeners and those who are suffering: “It’s okay to ask for help.” Resources:  Connect with Jade Lloyd: Instagram  Call the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA or visitcdph.ca.gov. Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, 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, Facebook, and most other platforms. Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/for information on the grief course.  Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!  If you are a California resident seeking a therapist in perinatal mental health, please email me about openings for private pay clients. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    53 min
  6. Birth Trauma PTSD: Somatic Therapies for Recovery and Reclaiming Parenthood with Maya Weir (Ep 470)

    2 MAR

    Birth Trauma PTSD: Somatic Therapies for Recovery and Reclaiming Parenthood with Maya Weir (Ep 470)

    A traumatic birth can happen to anyone, and it’s much more common than we might think. Today’s show focuses on birth trauma, what it looks like, and how the healing journey can positively reshape someone’s parenting experience. There is help! Join us to learn more! Dr. Maya Weir is a clinical psychologist who specializes in birth trauma and the emotional transitions of early parenthood. Inspired by her own experience of becoming a parent, she understands how profound, overwhelming, and transformative this stage of life can be. Dr. Weir supports parents in making sense of their journey, healing from birth trauma, and cultivating grounded, connected ways to move forward. She offers short-term therapy for individuals and couples who are processing birth trauma, along with longer-term support for parents navigating the challenges of early parenthood. Based in Napa, CA, Dr. Weir provides virtual therapy throughout CA. Show Highlights: Birth trauma: an explanation and examples Many people go through birth trauma and don’t realize it until later. Invalidation compounds the original trauma. Common symptoms of birth trauma: triggering memories, anxiety, and relationship issues Strategies used to address birth trauma focus on somatic techniques. Expected results of therapy for birth trauma Understanding the intersection of different types of trauma Therapy for birth trauma addresses feelings of guilt, blame, and failure. Huge issues remain in the birthing system regarding how mothers are treated and spoken to in the sacred moments of childbirth. A partner can feel shame for “not showing up” to prevent birth trauma. (Partners can greatly benefit from therapy, too!) Recognizing generational shifts in parenting today Key takeaways from Dr. Weir: “Healing is possible, your birth story deserves space, and you deserve to feel better and have access to parenting resources.” Resources:  Connect with Dr. Maya Weir Website and Instagram Call the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA or visitcdph.ca.gov. Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773.  There are many free resources, such as 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 their work. You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms. Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/for information on the grief course.  Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!  If you are a California resident seeking a therapist in perinatal mental health, please email me about openings for private pay clients. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    36 min
  7. Postpartum Eating Disorders & ADHD: Symptoms and Specialized Support (Ep 469)

    16 FEB

    Postpartum Eating Disorders & ADHD: Symptoms and Specialized Support (Ep 469)

    Today’s episode focuses on the impacts of ADHD and eating disorders on perinatal mental health. We aim to explore this topic and educate listeners on how these conditions intersect and overlap during life’s transitional periods.  Laudan Kermani Gish is a licensed psychotherapist in California, Texas, and Connecticut who also offers coaching to clients worldwide. She specializes in women’s health, particularly eating disorders, ADHD, perinatal mental health, and life transitions; she welcomes clients of all genders. She blends trauma-informed and evidence-based modalities to help clients cultivate resilience, strengthen self-worth, and create lives that feel authentic and nourishing. Laudan provides services in both English and Farsi.  Show Highlights: ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that has wide-ranging impacts.  Understanding eating disorders in a general sense Examples of eating disorders: anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) The difference between disordered eating and an eating disorder An increase in ADHD symptoms and eating disorders during the postpartum Simply naming what’s happening makes it easier to seek help. The benefit of the ADHD self-reporting assessment and the eating attitudes test The neuroscience of ADHD, anxiety, and depression Compassion is vital for avoiding self-judgment.  Laudan’s advice for family members is to use “the sandwich approach” and come from a place of curiosity, not judgment. Laudan’s key takeaways from today’s conversation Resources:  Connect with Laudan Gish: Website, Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale, and Eating Attitudes Test Call the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA or visitcdph.ca.gov. Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, 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, Facebook, and most other platforms. Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/for information on the grief course.  Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!  If you are a California resident seeking a therapist in perinatal mental health, please email me about openings for private pay clients. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    38 min
  8. ADHD & Perimenopause: Managing Symptoms During the Postpartum Overlap (Ep 468)

    2 FEB

    ADHD & Perimenopause: Managing Symptoms During the Postpartum Overlap (Ep 468)

    There is much to consider about the intersection of perimenopause, ADHD, and postpartum. With more and more people choosing to have babies later in life, there is the likelihood that the start of perimenopause may coincide with the perinatal period. Those with ADHD have another variable thrown into the mix. We are tackling these topics with our expert guest today. Please join us! Kara Cruz is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Perinatal Mental Health Specialist, private practice owner, clinical supervisor, women’s mental health advocate, and educator. Her areas of focus are reproductive mental health, ADHD, complex trauma, and mood and anxiety conditions. In addition to psychotherapy with individuals and couples, Kara also facilitates continuing education and mental health training for professionals. One of her favorite projects is her Therapist Group Bootcamp, where she teaches and coaches fellow therapists on building their own wellness and support groups. Kara is an EMDRIA-certified therapist who leads workshops, including her signature group for women, “It Begins With Us.” She is the co-owner/co-founder of Women’s Support Circle, a space for community, resource sharing, and support for women worldwide. She created the Wellness for Women Healers Community, a space for healers of all professions and backgrounds who share the common goal of promoting women’s healing and wellness. Away from work, Kara is a busy wife and mom, enjoying baseball, music, and all nature activities near the beautiful California coast.  Show Highlights: Women are suffering in silence, feeling shame and guilt about how they feel. Understanding the basics of perimenopause Perimenopause experiences cannot be compared from woman to woman; everyone is different. The impacts of ADHD on perimenopause Many professionals are not well-trained on menopause and perimenopause. Kara’s personal experience with ADHD Differences in males and females with ADHD (more external in boys/more internal in girls) Kara’s observations with patients who finally admit they are overloaded and are experiencing multiple symptoms of ADHD Similarities in symptoms for those who struggle with perimenopause and postpartum: anxiety, panic attacks, anger/irritability, depression, brain fog, sleep disturbances, sadness/crying, joint pain, etc.  The importance of sleep for everyone Kara’s process to help people track their sleep and identify their sleep issues The value of a collaborative effort among a healthcare/treatment team Kara’s trainings offered to therapy professionals (An overview of three core trainings in 2026) How a therapist can help with perimenopause and ADHD Resources: Connect with Kara Cruz: Website, LinkedIn, and Instagram Call the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA or visitcdph.ca.gov. Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, 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, Facebook, and most other platforms. Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/for information on the grief course.  Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!  If you are a California resident seeking a therapist in perinatal mental health, please email me about openings for private pay clients. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    46 min
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About

Posptartum Depression is real. And it's only part of the story. We dig in to ALL of the stuff that no one tells you about, but you NEED to know. Dr. Kat, Psychologist and specialist in perinatal mental health, interviews moms, dads, experts and advocates about how to cope, manage and recover from perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. We talk about postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety and SO MUCH MORE! We get real. We get honest. We put on our stigma crushing boots and address the realities of the transition to motherhood and parenthood. Learn about it before you find out about it the hard way! You don't have to suffer! www.momandmind.com

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