1 in 7 women experience mood disorders anytime between pregnancy and onset of 1 year post partum.
This can include depression, anxiety, OCD or PTSD.
1 in 10 men experience symptoms of mood disorders in the perinatal period as well.
You are not alone. It is not your fault.
With treatment, it can get better.
Kristine was the first Psychologist in Western Canada to be certified in the treatment of Perinatal Mental Health by Postpartum Support International. This certification includes requirements of advanced training in perinatal mental health, significant experience in this area of treatment and an 80%+ on an rigorous examination in a wide range of perinatal mental health concerns and treatments.
Kristine has completed the post-graduate training in maternal mental health from the Postpartum Stress Center in Pennsylvania - the preeminent training facility for perinatal mental health in the world. The training is run by Karen Klieman, author of almost a dozen books on perinatal mood disorders and their treatment. She also has completed training for perinatal mood disorders and pregnancy loss/stillbirth at the Seleni Institute in New York and the Post Partum Support International training on Perintal Mood and Anxiety Disorders: Components of Care.
This training focused on advanced clinical skills needed to care for Perinatal Mood Disorders including depression, anxiety, panic, OCD, suicidal thoughts, bipolar, postpartum psychosis, screening, social supports, therapy for perintal depression, anxiety, OCD and PTSD and treatment for moms, dads and members of the LGBTTQQIAAP community.
Did you know that 3-10% of pregnancies result in symptoms of trauma? Traumas can arise from if you feel that your life or the life of your baby is at risk.
These can include traumas from past pregnancy, traumatic events during pregnancy (including a diagnosis that baby or mom may not survive the pregnancy), birth trauma or baby stays in the NICU/ICN. Even a diagnosis that a baby may not survive the pregnancy can be traumatic - despite everything turning out 'okay'.
I offer specialized treatment for these traumas to help reduce or eliminate symptoms, improve quality of life and get you back to feeling like yourself.
1 in 4 pregnancies end in loss.
In almost all cases, the mother didn't do anything 'wrong'. The loss just happened.
Nothing can stop the ache that is created by miscarriage or pregnancy loss.
Kristine is well trained in how to help guide you through this process with kindness, compassion and practical tools to ease the suffering.
Pregnancy after loss can be full of worry and anxiety. Specialized treatments are possible to help bring back the hope and joy.
Post Partum Anxiety and Depression occur up to 7 times more often in parents whose babies had NICU/ICN stays, as compared to those who didn't. The majority of NICU/ICN parents also showed at least some symptoms of PTSD.
However the problem is under-diagnosed because the symptoms often don't begin until the baby comes home.
Kristine offers specialized care for these parents to help free them to enjoy life again without these symptoms.
Bedrest can be an incredibly stressful and anxiety-provoking time for a pregnant mom. Kristine offers electronic counselling sessions (such as Skype or phone counselling) so that moms on bedrest can get the support they need. This support can be as complex as addressing serious anxiety about the health conditions or as straightforward as developing a mental-health plan for making it through bedrest feeling strong and confident.
It is common to know about anxiety or depression symptoms in the post-partum period - but there are many less-known symptoms that can be just as debilitating.
Rage, scary/intrusive thoughts, loss of identity, feeling a lack of a bond, and disordered eating can also be symptoms of mood disorders.
All of these symptoms require specialized treatments to help address the symptoms.
It can be tricky to navigate pregnancy and the post partum period if you identify as LGBTQ+, including same-sex, non-binary or transgender pregnancies and parenting experiences.
Kristine is well versed in the special issues that can be faced, in addition to simply providing a non-judgemental environment for any feelings that are being experienced during this period.