Therapy for Motherhood
Support for aspiring, new, and expectant parents
The social, emotional, and physical transition from Person to Parent, often called Matrescence, is one of the most profound shifts a person can go through. The physical and hormonal changes that result from pregnancy and birth, counter to common knowledge, often take years to fully recover from, and affect us in ways science is only beginning to understand.
This world-altering identity shift affecting not only the mother but the relationship between parents. It is a new life stage that includes profound changes many aren’t prepared for, and can come with overwhelm, fear, anxiety, depression, and increased conflict and resentment within couples and overwhelm for individuals.
If you’re wondering when you’ll feel like “you” again, I will support you in integrating your new identity of Mother into the previous identities you held — often ones tied to professional pursuits or success. I often work with mothers who enter parenthood mindfully after years of established success in their careers and relationships who now find themselves feeling unmoored. I’m here to help you enjoy motherhood, even with all its difficult parts, and feel like a whole, integrated person in the process.
Together, we can work through:
Not feeling “yourself” after birth
Postpartum depression, anxiety, and OCD
Sleep disturbances and struggles
Relationship frustrations and dealing with the mental load
Recovering intimacy after childbirth
Sexual dysfunction
Navigating infertility
Burnout
Rage, guilt, or shame
Birth trauma or complications
Recovering from a NICU stay
Family size planning
Support during pregnancy
Support going back to work after birth
Balancing parenthood and career
Ambivalence or fears about becoming a parent
Identity and body issues, including disordered eating
Feelings of “this isn’t what it was supposed to be like”
Raising your family in a different way than you were raised
Book your complimentary consultation call today
“Motherhood is the ultimate confrontation with yourself. Whatever is there to discover at the bottom of your soul, whether dross or treasure, motherhood will help you find it.”
— Lisa Marchiano, Motherhood: Facing and Finding Yourself
My approach
My therapeutic style is non-judgmental, supportive, and practical. I’m a psychodynamic therapist, which means that I like to work with the unconscious thoughts and motivations that are influencing our feelings and behaviors. I’ll help you dive deep into your psyche to support the psychic change already happening as your transition from Person to Parent. While we do this work, I will provide real-life coping mechanisms and self-care tools to support you through this transformative experience. I use mindfulness, breathwork, and somatic techniques to support your reconnection to your body and your Self as you navigate this time.
I am LGBT-affirmative, sex positive, and support all relationship structures. I identify as an ally of the LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities.
I also offer support groups and additional services through my work with the team at Life After Birth®, which offers support for new and expectant parents.
Getting started
Get in touch to schedule a free 15-minute consultation call to hear a bit more about why you’re seeking therapy, answer any questions you might have, and schedule our first appointment. If you’re just ready to get going, we can schedule our first appointment on first contact.
My fee is $200/session, which is payable via credit card or HSA/FSA card in your patient portal. Your card will be charged after each appointment.
I offer both virtual and in-person sessions. Let me know if you prefer to meet virtually via secure video conference or in-person at my office in Culver City. My availability varies depending on how you’d like to meet.
FAQs
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My fee for all services is $200/hour. I take FSA/HSA cards and am always happy to discuss ways to make therapy affordable for you.
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The initial consultation is a short conversation to see if we are a good fit to work together. This is your opportunity to ask me questions and get a sense of my style of working. If you have any hesitations about working together, let me know and we can talk about it. We’ll also discuss logistics such as the fee and frequency and location of sessions. If we decide that we would like to move forward, we will schedule a consistent time for us to begin our work together. If not, I am happy to offer referrals to others who may be a better fit.
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In our first session, I’ll hear about what’s bringing you to couples therapy and we’ll identify goals for working together. I’ll ask questions about your relationship and your individual histories. Then, I’ll hold a session with each partner individually so I can get to know each of you better and hear more about your individual goals for therapy. After those sessions, we’ll dive into the work together.
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It really depends on your specific goals for therapy. You can expect to be in therapy anywhere from a couple months to a few years. Initially, I recommend we meet in weekly sessions to make initial progress, and then I often recommend my couples move to a less regular cadence, such as meeting once or twice monthly to process recurring issues.
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I do not participate in any health insurance networks or submit insurance claims. However, I do take FSA/HSA cards or am happy to offer you a super bill. A super bill is a summary of services, including a clinical diagnosis, which you can submit to your insurance provider for reimbursement. If your plan provides out-of-network provider coverage, you can get reimbursed for a portion of your service costs – the reimbursement rate depends on your specific plan and provider.
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My sessions are 50 minutes long
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I am an Associate Marriage & Family Therapist (Alexandra “Lexi” Berard, AMFT #137342) which means I have a provisional license to practice under supervision. I meet with my clinical supervisor weekly with to discuss my cases. As an AMFT, I have a master’s degree and advanced clinical training, however I am still in the process of completing the 3,000 clinical hours the California Board of Behavioral Sciences requires for full MFT licensure. The benefits to you are that you are able to get a therapist at a lower cost than market rate and you also get the benefit of my supervisor’s experience and insight.