When you think about preparing for a new baby, what comes to mind? The perfect registry. Check! The finished nursery. Check! The ideal birth plan. Check! These are often the featured items on our checklist when we are expecting, and checking these things off our list can offer us a sense of control. Yet, what about preparing for the more nuanced and unexpected aspects of postpartum? Like, how this huge transition can bring up some pretty big emotions... We face a lot of conflicting and ambiguous feelings during postpartum and they can be tough to navigate. That's why I invited Nicole Makowka to help walk us through some of those unexpected, but common emotions that can come up during postpartum. Nicole is the Head of Education & Wellbeing at LOOM, a licensed marriage and family therapist, and an expert in early childhood development. In today's episode she offers us some real tangible tips that you can start taking today to help prepare you for those big feelings of postpartum. To learn more about Loom and Nicole's work, you can visit https://loomhq.com/ or follow on Instagram at @loomhq. --- Looking for more support in preparing your family for postpartum or thriving in that first year with baby? Prepared Postpartum will help support you and your partner in preparing for the big emotions and changes that can often come up in postpartum. If you’re already in the thick of the postpartum year we’ve got you covered with our course Flourish. Click here to learn more about Prepared Postpartum and Flourish in the First Year: https://www.thesterlinglife.com/preparedpostpartum

Holding Space

Preparing Your Emotions for Postpartum with Nicole Makowka, LMFT

RESOURCE ALERT! This is a different kind of podcast episode. In this episode I'm highlighting a resource that I've personally found helpful in my own mindfulness/wellness journey. We're all starting to learn how important Mindfulness is when it comes to our mental health, right? I know I talk about it often with clients, and I've talked about it's role in my own life here on the podcast. I often recommend apps like Calm and Headspace as a great starting off point, but always wished there was a resource directed to new parents. Enter...Expectful! In this episode I share my conversation with Nathalie Walton, CEO of this mindfulness and wellness app for anyone navigating fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum. She shares the role mindfulness had in her own pregnancy and postpartum, specifically as it relates to struggles with control, anxiety, and sleep! To learn more about Expectful click here, and if you decide to explore this resource be sure to use code HOLDINGSPACE to try it out for $1 for the first month. Looking to learn more about WHY and HOW mindfulness can support your mental health? Check out these past Holding Space episodes: Mindfulness and Self-Compassion Cultivating a New Relationship with Emotion

Mindfulness Resource Alert: Expectful with Nathalie Walton

For many of us our 'fur babies' hold a very special place in our heart. So much so that when we're preparing to become a parent to a human baby, sometimes we can't help but feel a little guilty, anxious, or fearful about how a newborn might change our relationship with our pets. Maybe you're worried about how your pet will react to your baby, how your relationship with your pet will change with a baby around, or maybe you're already in the thick of postpartum and struggling with some of the big feelings coming up related to your pet. This is such a common experience for new parents, so I invited Dominika from @dogmeetsbaby to come on and help us prepare for this experience. In this episode we talk about some of the common emotions new parents feel related to their dog, like feeling triggered by your dog or feelings of anger, resentment, or guilt. Dominika offers insightful tips for new parents as they prepare for and navigate this transition with their pet. I learned so much from this episode and I hope you do, too! You can learn more about Dominika and access her resources at her Instagram: @dogmeetsbaby    

Dog Meets Baby with Dominika Knossalla-Pado

Sex and intimacy after having a baby can be very different. We're often approved for sex and exercise at that six week postpartum appointment…but what if we're not ready? What if it's too soon? What if your partner is ready and you aren't or vice versa? What if your libido is off because of the hormonal fluctuations after having a baby? What if you're worried about pain or not feeling comfortable in your body? No one prepares us for these challenges. That's why today I am joined by the Shrink Chicks to talk about sex and intimacy after baby! We're addressing some of the common fears around intimacy after baby, some of the reasons why so much can change with sex after baby, and we're sharing ways that you can begin to know pleasure in your body again and navigate this sometimes awkward/uncomfortable transition with your partner. You deserve good and pleasurable sex. I hope this conversation will help normalize what you're experiencing and also offer support to you and your partner. If you would like to learn more from the Shrink Chicks or access their resources, you can visit their Instagram @shrinkchicks and @thetherapygrp! ----- Looking for more support in preparing your family for postpartum or thriving in that first year with baby? Prepared Postpartum will help support you and your partner in preparing your emotional and physical relationship for baby. If you’re already in the thick of the postpartum year we’ve got you covered with our course Flourish. Click here to learn more about Prepared Postpartum and Flourish in the First Year.

Intimacy After Baby with the Shrink Chicks

Have you ever had a thought in postpartum that felt disturbing or distressing to you? It pops up randomly, and you're kind of like, WOAH, where did that come from? What is wrong with me?? Maybe it was something like dropping your baby, getting into a car accident, an unwanted thought about your baby while changing their diaper, or something else of that nature...bottom line, it's intrusive and distressing.  If you can resonate with this experience, chances are you may have never even mentioned them to anyone. You might feel ashamed and lonely in these thoughts. While these thoughts can be incredibly distressing, you're not alone. Dr. Alice Pickering is joining me to talk about scary and intrusive thoughts. Dr. Alice dives deep into the corners of our mind, offers some examples that might resonate with you, describes why these thoughts occur, and goes into what we can do to help lessen the impact they have on us as new parents. You can learn more from Dr. Alice at her Instagram: @dralicepsyd   ----- Looking for more support in preparing your family for postpartum or thriving in that first year with baby? Prepared Postpartum will help support you in preparing for the mental and emotional challenges of postpartum for both you and your partner. If you’re already in the thick of the postpartum year we’ve got you covered with our course Flourish. Click here to learn more about Prepared Postpartum and Flourish in the First Year.

Scary Thoughts in Postpartum with Dr. Alice Pickering

This episode has a really special place in my heart on a personal level. Both of my older kids have been diagnosed with sensory processing disorder! Maybe you're in the same boat and your child is experiencing something similar or maybe, you're wondering what sensory processing disorder even is and if your child might be having a sensitivity to sensory processing... Whichever the case, you're in the right place. I have invited Laura Petix of @theotbutterfly onto the podcast to demystify Occupational Therapy, to talk about the challenges associated sensory processing disorder, and to share how we can best support our kids and ourselves in these situations. I share a lot about my own family's experience with sensory processing challenges and Laura offers some tangible tips for how you can get support for your child if you feel this is something they might be struggling with.   You can find Laura hanging out daily on instagram @TheOTButterfly   Her free masterclass to help parents of sensory sensitive children support them at home is at www.theotbutterfly.com/masterclass

Raising a Sensory Sensitive Child with Pediatric OT Laura Petix

When I'm working with an individual or couple who just had a baby, one of the first things I ask about is...SLEEP! Not the age old question you get from most other people: "how is the baby sleeping?" No, I want to know how YOU are sleeping. Postpartum can be a beast and a big part of that is often the lack of sleep that accompanies having a baby. Getting restorative rest can become even more challenging when navigating feeding. That's why I invited my own lactation consultant, friend and colleague, Robin Kaplan, onto the podcast today! Robin is sharing with us how we can get restorative rest while also honoring our feeding journey with baby. She offers tangible tips and tricks for pumping when you're trying to make sleep a priority. Robin is incredibly supportive and validates the fact that sleep impacts our mental health and how our mental health in turn impacts our children. You can learn more from Robin and access her resources at her Instagram @san_diego_breastfeeding_center! ----- Looking for more support in preparing your family for postpartum or thriving in that first year with baby? Prepared Postpartum will support you and your partner in putting in place all the strongest protective factors when it comes to your mental health, sleep and feeding. If you’re already in the thick of the postpartum year we’ve got you covered with our course Flourish. Click here to learn more about Prepared Postpartum and Flourish in the First Year.

Breastfeeding and Sleep with Robin Kaplan, MA, IBCLC

In this episode we are talking about postpartum mental health for couples. I am joined by my friend and colleague, Dr. Tracy Dalgleish. Dr. Tracy is a licensed clinical psychologist and couples therapist based in Canada as well the creator of the supportive Instagram account, @dr.tracyd. Dr. Tracy shares with us some signs and symptoms to look for if you or your partner are experiencing anxiety or depression during postpartum and she explains how postpartum anxiety or depression can impact your couple relationsip. I share a bit about my personal experience with postpartum anxiety and depression within my partner relationship after our first baby and Dr. Tracy offers some tangible tips and tools for how to reconnect and find each other again amidst the postpartum haze. ---- Looking for more support in preparing your family for postpartum or thriving in that first year with baby? Prepared Postpartum will support you and your partner in putting in place all the strongest protective factors when it comes to your postpartum mental health through video lessons you can watch together. If you’re already in the thick of the postpartum year we’ve got you covered with our course Flourish. Click here to learn more about Prepared Postpartum and Flourish in the First Year.

Postpartum Mental Health for Couples with Dr. Tracy Dalgleish

Today's episode is a little bit different than most here on Holding Space Podcast...in the best way! Today I'm inviting my friends Mallory and Stranz Wolfgramm onto the podcast to talk about their experience preparing for their first child. Mallory is actually a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and creator of the Instagram account @makemarriagework, but as I've shared from my personal experience, being a therapist doesn't actually prepare you for all the challenges that you and your partner can face when becoming parents and experiencing postpartum. Today I'm walking Mallory and her husband Stranz through their concerns and big pain points as they prepare for their first baby. Together we explore: feelings of helplessness as a non-birthing partner, the big emotional challenges, fears and anxiety about labor and delivery, and so much more. At the end of the episode I also pop back onto the episode solo to offer specific tips and resources for couples preparing for birth and postpartum! ---- Looking for more support in preparing your family for postpartum or thriving in that first year with baby? Click here to learn more about Prepared Postpartum and Flourish in the First Year.

Preparing a REAL Couple for their First Baby with Mallory and Stranz Wolfgramm

Today's episode is for the non-birthing partners and those mama's who want to help support their non-birthing partner through the experience of having a baby and becoming a parent! Today I'm excited to share with you my conversation with Eli Weinstein. Eli is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, creator of the Instagram account @eliweinstein_lcsw, and host of the Dude Therapist Podcast. In this episode Eli shares his experience as a first-time postpartum father. He discusses his personal struggles with expectations and bonding in the fourth trimester. Together we explore the important role of the non-birthing partner for the postpartum family and offers tips on how other non-birthing partners can create their own unique bonds with their children. ---- Looking for more support in preparing your whole family for postpartum or thriving in that first year with baby? Prepared Postpartum will help prepare both you and your partner for birth and postpartum. If you’re already in the thick of the postpartum year we’ve got you covered with our course Flourish. Click here to learn more about Prepared Postpartum and Flourish in the First Year.

Dads, Bonding, and Babies with Eli Weinstein, LCSW

Let's cut right to the chase, this episode is about PEE, POOP, SEX, and all things pelvic floor after baby! I'll be honest...for my postpartum experience, I had no idea what the pelvic floor even was. That's why in today's episode I have invited on The Vagina Whisperer, Sara Reardon. Sara is a pelvic floor physical therapist and creator of the popular Instagram account @the.vagina.whisperer. Today Sara is helping to demystify the role of the pelvic floor and it's importance in our lives, particularly with pregnancy, birth and postpartum. Sara is walking us through how to care for our pelvic floor through daily activities and exercises. You can follow Sara on Instagram for more tips and access to her resources!  ------- Looking for more relational and emotional support in preparing your family for postpartum or thriving in that first year with baby? Prepared Postpartum will support you and your partner in putting in place all the strongest protective factors when it comes to your postpartum mental health through video lessons you can watch together. If you’re already in the thick of the postpartum year we’ve got you covered with our course Flourish. Click here to learn more about Prepared Postpartum and Flourish in the First Year.

Healing your Pelvic Floor with the Vagina Whisperer, Sara Reardon, PT

In today's episode I am joined by my friend and colleague, Abbey Williams, and we are talking all about divorce, co-parenting, and thriving as a blended family. Abbey is a Licensed Social Worker and the creator of the popular podcast and Instagram account @mimosaswithmoms. Today Abbey is sharing both her own personal experiences with us as well as her professional wisdom on the big feelings that can come up with divorce, co-parenting, and blended families as well as how to ensure you and your partner are putting your child first. Abbey speaks to the challenges that can arise with being a single parent and how to make sure you're getting the support you and your family need.

Divorce, Co-Parenting, and our Blended Family with Abbey Williams, LSW

Pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care for mamas across the world are NOT created equal. We often just assume that whatever care we get in our area or country is just the norm, but no one knows better than my guest today that this couldn't be further from the truth! Today I am joined by my longtime friend Isobel Benesch. Having experienced birth and postpartum both in the United States and New Zealand, Isobel is sharing with us today the major differences between her experiences and the interviews she has conducted with mamas and experts across the world about differences in perinatal care. We're comparing and contrasting the experiences between countries like the United States and Sweden that have vastly different approaches when it comes to perinatal care. In our conversation we're talking everything from maternity/paternity leave, gender expectations, and how to navigate with your partner the big change of returning to work after maternity/paternity leave. To help you and your partner navigate the going back to work stage of postpartum, we also have created a Back to Work Conversation Card Deck. This card deck features key conversation starters and tips to help smooth the process of returning to work as a family. You can click here to download the card deck: https://mailchi.mp/drcassidymft/conversation-cards

The Atlas of Motherhood with Isobel Benesch

In this episode I am sharing my conversation with psychotherapist, Jessica Vanderwier, the creator of the Instagram account @ourmamavillage. Today Jess is sharing with us how we can teach our children about consent. In this episode Jess shares tangible ways and age-specific tips in which we can teach our kids from an early age about how to honor the boundaries of their bodies and to respect the boundaries of others. You can learn more from Jess in her free workshop 3 Secrets to Punishment Free Parenting here! While what we discuss in this episode is incredibly important, I also realize that today's topic might be triggering for some of you depending on your context, comfort-level, and your own history and experiences. If after this episode you find yourself needing a little more personalized support, we have some resources listed below where you can find a therapist in your area: Psychology Today Open Path Collective (if you're looking for a therapist who offers a lower fee) Postpartum Support International  

Teaching Children Consent with Psychotherapist Jessica Vanderwier

Have you ever wondered what it might be like to reach out to a perinatal psychiatrist? In this episode I share my conversation with Dr. Sarah Oreck, a Columbia University-trained psychiatrist focusing on women's mental health. Join us as we chat about options for support and treatment when you’re struggling during pregnancy, after baby and beyond. Together we demystify the process of getting help and dive into both common and unexpected symptoms of postpartum mood and anxiety disorders for BOTH parents. If you'd like to learn more from Dr. Sarah, you can follow her on Instagram at @sarahoreckmd!  --- Looking for more support in preparing your family for postpartum or thriving in that first year with baby? Prepared Postpartum will support you and your partner in putting in place all the strongest protective factors when it comes to your postpartum mental health through video lessons you can watch together. If you’re already in the thick of the postpartum year we’ve got you covered with our course Flourish. Click here to learn more about Prepared Postpartum and Flourish in the First Year.    

Postpartum Mental Health and Treatment Options with Dr. Sarah Oreck

Welcome to Holding Space Podcast with Dr. Cassidy Freitas, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. As a licensed therapist, it is my job to hold space for stories, questions, pain, joy, growth, and change. The following episodes will offer a space to de-mystify mental health and therapy, share stories of struggle and joy, and discover connection through our human experiences.

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Holding Space

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