Dr. Nicole Amoyal Pensak

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United States
Little Silver, NJ
Dr. Nicole Amoyal Pensak

Clinical Psychologist in New Jersey and New York.

Harvard and Yale trained expert Psychologist that specializes evidence-based treatment for anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and postpartum.

01/14/2025

🎙️ BIG NEWS!

I’m THRILLED to announce that my book, RATTLED: How to Calm New Mom Anxiety with the Power of the Postpartum Brain, is featured in Audible’s 2025 Refresh Campaign alongside NYT bestsellers Dr. Becky Kennedy’s Good Inside and Hunter Clarke-Fields’ Raising Good Humans.

RATTLED is a powerful resource for mothers navigating the complexities of postpartum life. Inside, you’ll discover:
🧠 The science behind your postpartum brain—why it’s not just a challenge but a brilliant, transformative superpower.
🌱 How to embrace matrescence, the emotional and identity shift into motherhood.
⚙️ Practical, evidence-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) tools to tackle mom guilt, shame, and the pressures of modern parenting.
❤️ Strategies for deepening your bond with your baby while thriving as a new mom.

This book isn’t just advice—it’s a guide to empowerment, resilience, and growth during one of life’s biggest transitions.

💬 Why RATTLED?
Because moms deserve more than survival—they deserve clarity, confidence, and joy.

🎧 Download RATTLED now on Audible and join a movement redefining what it means to thrive in parenthood.

01/09/2025

It’s a strange thing to hold two truths at once: gratitude and heartache.

Today, I’m deeply honored that RATTLED has been selected by Audible as one of the year’s most anticipated reads in well-being and business. This news feels like a dream come true—a recognition of the hard work, love, and vulnerability poured into this book.

And yet, my heart is heavy as I think of the devastating wildfires sweeping through California. Just weeks ago, I was in Los Angeles for the book tour, meeting inspiring women and feeling the warmth of a city full of resilience and beauty. Now, I’m holding space for those affected—those who’ve lost so much and are navigating the unimaginable.

Celebrating joy while witnessing suffering is never easy. But today, I’m choosing to honor both: gratitude for this milestone and deep empathy for those facing hardship.

To my California readers and friends: I see you, I’m thinking of you, and I’m sending love.

Let’s hold space for it all—the triumphs and the tragedies. I am honored to be featured next to Let Them, Beyond Anxiety, Self Help Shift, and others.

04/23/2024

Asbury Park, New Jersey! I’ll be doing a book event on May 18 at 7pm at Asbury Book Cooperative. Come see me and we can discuss RATTLED. Book signing to follow. Please tag your Friends that would be interested in coming. Looking forward to seeing you there!

02/19/2024

Thinking about taking charge of your mental health? Want to feel better? I am excited to bring the evidence-based therapy to patients in 40+states now. Besides postpartum, I specialize in treating adults and adolescents (ages 16+) with OCD, anxiety, depression, coping with cancer and more. DM me or call me at 609-283-2056 to schedule a free brief consult to discuss options. I’ve been getting requests from California. They are not a PSYPACT state yet but I do offer coaching services for Cali. I also specialize in treating high functioning anxiety and depression which is different from clinical depression. If you are suffering at all, let’s discuss. Like, and share with a friend that may be interested. Telehealth is a convenient option and the latest research shows it works just as well as in person..

01/03/2022

Happy New Year! This year I decided that my New Years resolution is to hold my children and husband a little longer each day- even if it’s just one minute more. My daughter is 4 and my son is about to turn 2. I love watching them move into the next stages of development AND I miss moments of them being babies. It all goes so fast. While the days are long, I know I will also long for these moments later on. Even if it’s just for one more minute, I will hold on a little longer each day to what matters most. What’s your New Years resolution?! Comment 👇🏻

12/23/2021

Ever feel like your head’s in the clouds since becoming a mother?

Recent research suggests that changes in mothers’ brains regarding reward and motivation are more sensitive to responding to their own babies, heightened fear reactivity and decreases in memory functioning (e.g., “mommy brain”).

Yes, “mommy brain” is a very real phenomenon that occurs due to actual structural brain changes and changes in neurotransmitter activity pre and postpartum. In simple terms, your brain is working AGAINST you to focus on your own needs, to attune to your baby’s needs.

I can’t tell you how many times I have lost a train of thought keeping up in typical adult conversation.

Can anyone relate?

Leave a comment with your most recent “mommy brain” episode, let’s support one another!

12/21/2021

Burns are the worst type of injury. Working on the burn unit taught me the importance of exposure based therapy in my work for all kids of mental health conditions: anxiety, trauma and OCD.

My colleague, Dr. Lise Deguire, speaks about resiliency and burn victims in her new book, “Flashback Girl.” It’s a tremendous account of what she experienced as a burn survivor. I highly recommend checking it out!

12/16/2021

A woman’s brain changes dramatically after giving birth. Have you noticed?

Here are four biochemical changes that occur:

1) The brain reorganizes itself to get rid of things that are not central to tending to baby (evidenced by changes in grey matter, synaptic pruning, and neural plasticity)

2) Intense hormonal changes associated with emotional changes that increase attachment/ love, WORRIES, and wanting to protect the baby occur.

3) You are a different person on a cellular level: pieces of genetic material from your offspring are now a part of you.

4) One study showed changes in telomere length after birth that equates to aging 11 YEARS! No wonder I am so tired 😂

What changes have you noticed in yourself since becoming a mother?

Information in this post adapted from the New York Times article, “This Is Your Brain on Motherhood” with research by Dr. Elseline Hoekzema.

-life

10/05/2021

TODAY’S MOMS ARE HOLDING IT ALL TOGETHER:

🌟 Working

🌟 Managing a household

🌟 Being a mom

So many are struggling on the inside, but putting on a happy face to get through it.

I’m here to tell you that you have the option to help yourself feel better by improving your mood. And sometimes, the simplest things are the most effective.

Here’s a new tool to add to your box:

THE GRATITUDE JAR ✨

Flip through the slides to learn how to create and implement a gratitude jar. Research also supports gratitude to help you improve your mood.

I’d love to hear from you in the comments section!

Do you practice gratitude on a regular basis?
If you do, do you find that it helps to improve your mood?
If you don’t already practice, would you try the gratitude jar?

Address

Little Silver, NJ

Website

http://www.drnicoleamoyalpensak.com/

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