Amy Manion Family Therapy

10/09/2025

It's official, I passed my Certification in Perinatal Mental Health (PMH-C) exam this morning! What this means, "the Perinatal Mental Health Certification (PMH-C) Program recognizes individuals who possess the competency required to help mothers, fathers, and families experiencing perinatal mood and anxiety disorders in the perinatal period" (postpartum.net).

This is an area of work that is extraordinarily meaningful to me on many levels. I thoroughly enjoy working with individuals, couples and families as they navigate their own unique reproductive journeys, including fertility, pregnancy loss, transition to parenthood, as well as supporting those impacted by perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.

09/24/2025

Excited to say that Amy Manion Family Therapy is now a Blue Dot Safe Spot. "The blue dot is the symbol for perinatal mental health survivorship, support, and solidarity."

Did you know that perinatal mental health disorders like postpartum depression are the #1 complication of childbirth? https://www.thebluedotproject.org/

06/04/2025

Excited to announce that I am now an OBLPCT Approved Clinical Supervisor for Professional Counselor & MFT Associates. Gratuitous Humphrey photo for emphasis!

10/12/2023

PSI is an amazing organization with a variety of support groups. Here is a listing of just a few of the groups and a link for more information.

We are proud to offer multiple online peer support groups for parents who have experienced perinatal and infant loss, including:
🔹 Black Moms in Loss
🔹 Early Pregnancy Loss Support for Moms
🔹 Pregnancy After Loss
🔹 Parenting After Loss
🔹 Pregnancy After Stillbirth & Infant Loss
🔹 Stillbirth & Infant Loss Support for Parents
🔹 Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support for Moms
🔹 Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support for Parents
🔹 Termination for Medical Reasons.

You are not alone 💙 Learn more about our loss support groups, view the schedule, and register at http://bit.ly/FindSupportGroup.

If you need help or support:
🔷 Call or text the Postpartum Support International HelpLine at 800-944-4773. You never need a diagnosis to ask for help.
🔷 Call or text the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-852-6262
🔷 In a crisis situation, call or text the National Su***de & Crisis Lifeline at 988.
🔷 Visit postpartum.net for additional programs and resources.

06/02/2023

Wonderful organization with many free support groups and other offerings.

“𝗜 𝗮𝗺 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗳𝗶𝘃𝗲.” —
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“One in five women will experience a maternal mental health disorder. These diagnoses are known as perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (𝘗𝘔𝘈𝘋𝘴). Unfortunately, during the global pandemic, these numbers rose from roughly 20% to 70% nationwide.”
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“As a new mom, in the middle of the pandemic, all the ingredients of a mental health crisis were present. Three months after giving birth, the "baby blues" hadn't disappeared. By four months, I called my OBGYN crying. "I need HELP!" is all I could manage.”

“May is 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵. It's the month to give importance and raise awareness to every mother's mental health 𝘥𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 and 𝘢𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳 pregnancy. If you are also one of five, I encourage you to share your story and help another mom.”

“The silence is what kills us 🤎”

“SN: Now is also a perfect time for me to complete the shift of my SPS content. Stay tuned... ⁣”
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It’s important for parents to know ➡️ You do not need a diagnosis to reach out for help. You are not alone. You are not to blame. With help, you will be well. 💙 postpartum.net

Need Help?
🔵 In an emergency or crisis situation, call or text 988.
🔵 In a non-emergency situation, call or text the International HelpLine at 800-944-4773. You never need a diagnosis to ask for help.
🔵 Call or text the National Hotline at 1-833-9-HELP4MOMS (1-833-943-5746)

05/09/2023

Esther Perel once again hits the nail on the head.

04/18/2023

Some upcoming groups starting in May. Please pass along to anyone who might benefit. Thank you!

03/23/2023

Excited to announce that I just completed my Level 2 Training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy! https://www.gottman.com/about/research/

03/16/2023

Vulnerability does not equate to weakness. In fact, learning to identify and share emotions in a variety of relationships can help strengthen and deepen bonds over time. This article does a wonderful job of laying out steps individuals can take if they want to be more open with sharing emotions.

... and 6 steps for making deeper connections.

03/12/2023

Dr. John Gottman is a renowned researcher and professor at the University of Washington, my alma mater! I utilize his concept of The Four Horsemen and Their Antidotes often in my work with couples along with other Gottman concepts learned during my training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy.

All this month, we're focusing on The Four Horsemen. It's a foundational Gottman concept, and understanding the horsemen can have a huge impact on your interactions. If you want more information about each of the Four Horsemen, you can explore:

The Gottman Relationship Blog: https://bit.ly/3IFj94o

Our Marriage Minute Email: http://bit.ly/2qB8FAc

The Four Horsemen Webinar: https://bit.ly/3HEKm5W

03/09/2023

Esther Perel always has wonderful insights and ideas to share.

We’ve all been there—stuck in a cyclical narrative, frustrated in our relationship, tired of the constant fighting and bickering, feeling exhausted and drained, and thinking to yourself "if my partner would just change, it would all be better."

But is that true?

All relationships are a dance. We each play a role, which means, in order to shift a dynamic, we all need to own our part. Getting out of the loop of constant blame and examining our own rigidity can shift the whole story.

One step leads to another and at first, it may feel unnatural to engage in such choreography—articulating our feelings while consciously allowing room for the other’s perspective. But creating new patterns of mutual self-awareness and affirmation is the key to improving our relational dynamics. If you only think things will get better when your partner makes the change, you're still in the same format.

Let's Turn the Lens on You:

What are some of the common ruts you get into with your loved ones?

Identify one element of that rut for which you are perennially responsible.

What kind of triggers make you defensive in this situation?

What do you think might happen if you were to own your part?

What’s one quality you could bring to the dynamic that could change it for the better?

03/09/2023

Introducing Humphrey, therapist assistant. 😍