NICU/Preemie/
Traumatic Birth
This is not how you imagined your motherhood journey would begin. If your baby was born early, or with medical complications, you have been thrust into a frightening new world. NICU experiences are emotionally taxing for new parents, and the stress doesn’t often end when baby comes home. Not surprisingly, up to 40% of NICU parents develop post-traumatic stress symptoms, nightmares, flashbacks, and hypervigilance. Parents also can have complex feelings of guilt, disconnect, anger or loneliness both in the NICU and back at home. I am specially trained to treat trauma, postpartum distress, and other problems associated with being the parents of a premature or sick baby. I have extensive professional and personal experience navigating the NICU experience. I know when your baby is in the NICU, it is hard to find time to take care of yourself. For parents who live in the greater Boston/South Shore area, I will make a home visit, or NICU visit, for your intake appointment. Then we can do Telehealth sessions, if you wish. It is so important to take time to breathe, process, and get support for yourself during this tender time. I can help you heal from this traumatic beginning so you can focus on parenting and feeling well again.