Alison Hartman
Coping with the Unexpected: When Motherhood ...

Motherhood is often described as one of life’s most beautiful journeys—but what happens when that journey looks nothing like you imagined it would be? Maybe your birth plan wasn’t followed in any way you expected, breastfeeding didn’t come easily, or your baby’s temperament isn’t what you expected. Perhaps you’re grieving the version of being a mom you thought you’d be and wondering why it feels so hard.

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Many moms experience a disconnect between the expectations of motherhood and the reality that comes. Learning how to cope when motherhood doesn’t go as planned is an important part of healing healing process and the way to find peace on this motherhood journey.

Coping with the Unexpected: When Motherhood Doesn't Go as Planned
Alison Hartman
Recognizing and Addressing Perinatal Anxiety: A ...

Understanding Perinatal Anxiety

Perinatal anxiety encompasses anxiety disorders that occur during pregnancy (prenatal anxiety) and after childbirth (postpartum anxiety). Unlike the "baby blues," which are temporary and usually resolve within a few weeks, perinatal anxiety can persist and significantly impact a person's daily functioning.

Recognizing and Addressing Perinatal Anxiety: A Guide for New and Expecting Parents
Alison Hartman
Intrusive Thoughts in Postpartum: A Therapist's ...

Bringing a new life into the world is a beautiful experience, but for many moms, the postpartum period can be challenging. Amidst the joy and wonder of welcoming a newborn, some mothers may find themselves struggling with intrusive thoughts – unwelcome, distressing, and often disturbing mental images that can be deeply unsettling. Today, we'll explore what intrusive thoughts are, why they might surface during postpartum, and most importantly, provide moms with practical coping strategies to manage and reduce these intrusive thoughts.

Intrusive Thoughts in Postpartum: A Therapist's Guide for New Moms to Find Peace
Alison Hartman
Understanding Interpersonal Process Therapy ...

Perinatal mental health issues affect a significant number of individuals during pregnancy and the postpartum period. These challenges can manifest as anxiety, depression, or other mood disorders, impacting not only the mother but also the overall family dynamics. IPT has gained prominence as an evidence-based therapy for perinatal mental health due to its focus on interpersonal relationships and its adaptability to address the unique challenges faced by individuals during this transitional time.

The theoretical foundation of IPT revolves around the idea that one's mental health is intricately linked to the quality of their interpersonal relationships. IPT operates on the premise that life events, particularly changes in relationships, can trigger or exacerbate mental health issues. The therapist and the individual collaboratively explore and address problematic interpersonal patterns, enhancing the individual's ability to navigate and manage social interactions effectively.

Understanding Interpersonal Process Therapy (IPT) for Perinatal Mental Health
Alison Hartman
How to create a Postpartum Care Plan

Baby is coming, you have read all the books and taken the classes on labor, delivery, caring for baby etc. What is your plan for how to take care of yourself during postpartum? I remember not feeling as prepared as I wanted to be for the emotional ups and downs of this time with baby. 

As a therapist specializing in postpartum care, I understand the unique challenges new moms face in balancing the needs of their newborns, their own well-being, and the dynamics with family, your partner, and their return to work if that is part of the plan. One crucial aspect of navigating this transformative period is creating a comprehensive postpartum care plan that not only addresses the logistics of caring for your baby but also prioritizes your mental and emotional health. Here's a guide to help you develop a plan in collaboration with your partner:

How to create a Postpartum Care Plan

Your Mental Health Matters

Your Mental Health Matters

This week I wanted to touch on why our mental health is important and shed some light on how many of us are affected by mental health issues and its residual effects.

What is mental health?

It’s your psychological well being impacted by how you think, feel, and respond to situations in your life. Mental health has not always been a priority in our country and we are seeing it’s effects on our communities. People are more likely to focus on their physical health, go to the dentist regularly, go to their primary care etc. but are less likely to seek help and support for their mental health.

Secrets to a Happy 2020

Secrets to a Happy 2020

These are my goals for this year. What are yours?

We are all human and have successes and sometimes failures. Life has its natural ebbs and flows. We don’t have to go through this journey alone.

If you feel your anxiety is getting in the way of your daily living and feel overwhelmed by work, family, household, kids, etc. have you considered counseling?

Is this postpartum OCD? Psychosis? If so, what do I do now?

Is this postpartum OCD? Psychosis? If so, what do I do now?

Pregnancy, birth, and postpartum brings with it many feelings, hormone, changes, and role transitions. Some women develop symptoms of anxiety and depression to the point of where it causes significant distress. Findings suggest that 1 in 7 women, have diagnosable depression and/or anxiety during the postpartum period. 

Is this postpartum OCD? A study from the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry found that pregnancy and childbirth can produce OCD symptoms or increase symptoms of OCD if previously diagnosed.

Treat yo self

Treat yo self

To take care of yourself, not just on 1 day out of the year, but daily. Today, I am going to talk with you about ideas for a self care plan, along with a simple way to stick to your plan.There are 5 aspects to self care: Mind, body, spirit, reflection, and connection.This is definitely not an exhaustive list. This is to give you an idea and you can tailor it to meet your needs.

Contact Alison

Office Hours

Monday - Thursday

8:00am-4:00pm

Postpartum therapy in The Woodlands TX | Maternal mental health in Montgomery County TX | Therapy for moms in Conroe and Magnolia | Online therapy in Texas and Colorado | Postpartum support in Fort Collins CO | Anxiety therapy for moms in Weld and Larimer County | Northern Colorado perinatal counseling