Therapy PLUS

11/18/2025

In light of the recent viral clips showing two Black mothers experiencing mistreatment in healthcare settings (whle in active labor) in Texas and Indiana, I’ve been sitting with the emotional weight these stories carry and the trauma they can surface for so many of us. They also brought me back to my conversation with Dr. Leslie Farrington MD in September. In this clip, Dr. Farrington shares her powerful ACTT framework and reminds us how important it is for mothers to tell their birth stories—not only to empower and validate their own experiences, but also to name, identify, and challenge mistreatment within healthcare systems.

These two women’s stories went viral, but imagine how many more stories go unheard and undocumented. The Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance (MMHLA) reports that 1 in 3 mothers feel traumatized by their birth experience, and 1 in 5 report some form of mistreatment during pregnancy and childbirth. Women of color are at increased risk for both birth trauma and obstetric complications.

If this brings up feelings for you, you are not alone. Your story matters. Centering mothers’ voices in this way is a trauma-informed step toward healing, accountability, and real change.

Postpartum Support International offers a Birth & Medical Trauma Support Group for those who have experienced difficult or traumatic birth and medical experiences.

This free, virtual group provides a compassionate, understanding space to connect with others who have been through something similar. 💜

View the schedule and register here: https://loom.ly/RzwTBwc

11/13/2025

I’m so excited to share the launch of our free monthly virtual support groups for expecting and postpartum mamas!

Introducing: Here for Mamas

A safe, welcoming space to connect, breathe, and be supported — no pressure, just care.

Listening counts as participation; sharing is always your choice.
🌸 Meets: 2nd Tuesday of each month
💜 Time: 6:00 PM CST (online)
🌸 Cost: Free
💜 Cameras: Optional
🌸 Judgment-free • Come as you are

💜 Sign up: https://forms.gle/NTxRJMnvnVbGCucv7
🌸 or send us a DM for details!
—
This group offers peer and facilitator support and does not replace medical or mental health care. If you are in crisis, call 988 (Su***de & Crisis Lifeline) or dial 911 for emergencies.

11/11/2025

Today we honor our nation’s active duty service members and veterans, with special recognition for our military and veteran mothers. Military moms face higher risks for trauma, depression, anxiety, and postpartum mental health conditions due to the unique stressors of deployment, relocation, and reintegration. These mothers deserve access to compassionate, trauma-informed care and community support that prioritizes their mental health and well-being.

💙 If you, or someone you know is a military mother in need of support, these resources are here for you:

💙 Military & Veteran Mental Health Support
Veterans Crisis Line
📞 Dial 988, then press 1
💬 Text 838255
🌐 www.veteranscrisisline.net

24/7 confidential support for veterans, service members, and their families.

🌿 Perinatal Mental Health Support
Postpartum Support International - Arizona Chapter (PSI) HelpLine
📞 1-800-944-4773 (4PPD)
📱 Text “HELP” to 800-944-4773 (EN) or “TEXT en Español” to 971-203-7773
🌐 www.postpartum.net

Referrals, resources, and emotional support for pregnant and postpartum parents.

💙 Local Mississippi Resources for Military & Veteran Mothers

G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Centerr – Women Veterans Clinic
📍 Jackson, MS
📞 601-362-4471 ext. 50777

🏠 Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) – MUTEH, Inc.H, Inc.
📍 Hattiesburg, MS & Jackson, MS
Jackson, MS: 601-960-0557
Hattiesburg, MS: 601-545-3668

Catholic Charities, INC. of Jacksons, Inc. – Jackson Diocese
📍 Jackson, MS
📞 601-355-8634

Military OneSource (statewide)
📞 1-800-342-9647
🌐 www.militaryonesource.mil

You are not alone. 💙

11/10/2025

💗 Understanding Postpartum OCD: What Every Mom Should Know

Postpartum Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is one of the least talked-about maternal mental health conditions — yet it affects many new moms. 💭

Mothers with postpartum OCD often experience unwanted, intrusive thoughts that feel scary or distressing — such as fears of harm coming to their baby, or worries about contamination, safety, or control. These thoughts are ego-dystonic, meaning they go against what the mother truly believes or wants.

💡 Here’s what’s important to know:
• Having these thoughts does not mean you’re a danger to your baby.
• These thoughts are symptoms, not reflections of who you are.
• Postpartum OCD is treatable with therapy, support, and sometimes medication.

If you or someone you love is struggling with upsetting thoughts after giving birth, please remember — you are not alone, and help is available. 💕

📞 Call or text the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline
1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262)
Free • Confidential • 24/7 • English & Spanish

Let’s keep breaking the silence around maternal mental health.
You deserve peace, support, and healing. 🌼

11/06/2025

🌿 Let’s continue our conversation about “Birthing Trauma.”

Birth trauma is real—and it matters. Too many mothers leave the delivery room carrying invisible wounds that can impact their mental health long after the physical recovery.

Birth trauma can lead to maternal mental health (MMH) conditions, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These are not signs of weakness—they are signs of a story that deserves compassion, validation, and support.

And we must name this truth: Women of color are at increased risk for both poor interpersonal care and obstetric complications, heightening the likelihood of birth trauma. Healing and prevention require listening to these experiences and building systems rooted in empathy, respect, and accountability.

💜 If you or someone you love needs help or someone to talk to:

National Support Resources:
📞 National Maternal Mental Health Hotline: 1-833-TLC-MAMA — Call or text anytime (Free • Confidential • 24/7 • English & Spanish)
📞 Postpartum Support International (PSI) Helpline: 1-800-944-4773 — Text “HELP” to 800-944-4773 or visit www.postpartum.net for peer and professional support

Local Resources (Mississippi):
🤱🏽 PSI Mississippi PSI MS Chapter — Local peer connections and education for families and providers.
👩🏾‍🍼 Mom.ME. (Mothers Mental Empowerment) — Support groups and outreach focused on emotional wellness for Mississippi mothers.
💗 CHAMP for MOMS — Collaborative network improving maternal health through community, advocacy, and education.

Together, we can ensure that every mother—no matter where she lives, how she gives birth, or what she’s been through—feels safe, supported, and seen. 💛

11/03/2025

🌿 Every Birth Story Matters. Every Mama Deserves Support. 🌿

According to the Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance (MMHLA):
➡️ 1 in 3 birthing people report feeling traumatized by their childbirth experience.
➡️ 1 in 5 report experiencing mistreatment during pregnancy or childbirth.

These numbers remind us that birth should be empowering—not traumatic. Access to compassionate, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive mental health care is essential for every mama.

We’re grateful for the incredible organizations leading the charge to expand awareness, access, and healing support for mamas and families. Here are a few national and local organizations making an impact:

✨ Black Mamas Matter Alliance – www.blackmamasmatter.org

✨ Perinatal Mental Health Alliance for People of Color – www.pmhapoc.org

✨ Shades of Blue Project – www.shadesofblueproject.org

✨ Postpartum Support International – www.postpartum.net

✨ Mom.ME. - https://www.momme.rocks/

💜 Need help or someone to talk to?
Call or text the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline:
📞 1-833-TLC-MAMA
Free • Confidential • 24/7 • English & Spanish

Together, we can ensure every mother feels safe, supported, and seen. 💕

10/29/2025

As we close Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Month, let’s amplify providing access to support.

If you or someone you know is grieving a loss or struggling after pregnancy or birth, please know — you don’t have to walk through it alone. Support is available, and healing can begin with one small step.

💜 Postpartum Support International International (PSI) – Free, virtual peer groups for miscarriage, stillbirth, and infant loss.
🔗 Learn more or register: https://www.postpartum.net

💜 Shades Of Blue Project – Provides peer support, education, and advocacy for individuals experiencing perinatal loss or mood disorders, especially within communities of color.
🔗 Learn more: https://shadesofblueproject.org

💜 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifelinee & Crisis Lifeline – Call or text 988 any time for free, confidential mental health or crisis support (24/7).
🔗 Learn more: https://988lifeline.org

💜 National Maternal Mental Health Hotline/ Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) – Call or text 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262) for quick, confidential help in English or Spanish (24/7).
🔗 Learn more: https://mchb.hrsa.gov/national-maternal-mental-health-hotline

💜 GriefShare – 13-week small groups and an online directory to find a group near you.
🔗 Learn more: https://www.griefshare.org

🌷 Additional trusted pregnancy & infant loss supports
💜 Share Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support – Companioning resources, remembrance events, and peer groups.
🔗 https://nationalshare.org

💜 Return to Zero: HOPE – Free online support groups and workshops for bereaved parents.
🔗 https://rtzhope.org

💜 Star Legacy Foundation – Peer support, stillbirth education, and a 24/7 support line.
🔗 https://starlegacyfoundation.org

💜 The Dougy Center – Grief resources for children, teens, and families.
🔗 https://www.dougy.org

If you or someone you love is in immediate danger, call 911.
It’s okay to bring a support person to calls or groups and to try more than one option to find the right fit.

10/23/2025

Substance use during pregnancy and postpartum is more common than many realize and it’s not about a lack of love, but often about deeper pain, trauma or untreated mental health challenges. 💜

10/22/2025

October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month.
Here in Mississippi, too many families know the heartbreak of losing a baby far too soon. Our state continues to have one of the highest infant mortality rates in the nation, reminding us how vital it is to wrap families in care, compassion, and support.

Let’s honor the babies we’ve lost and commit to doing better for the mothers and families who carry their memories every day. 💕

Every number represents a story and every story deserves care.

In the United States in 2022, the infant mortality rate was 5.61 deaths per 1,000 live births, a 3% increase from 2021 (CDC). Behind each statistic are mothers, families, and communities deeply impacted by loss.

No mother should grieve alone. Providing grief counseling, emotional support, and peer connection after loss helps families begin the journey toward healing. 💛

Let’s continue to stand together to listen, support, and hold space for those navigating unimaginable loss.

Support is available:

✅ Postpartum Support International (PSI) offers free, virtual support groups for grieving mothers following miscarriage or infant loss.

Learn more:
https://postpartum.net/get-help/psi-online-support-meetings/

✅ 988 – Call or text any time for mental health or crisis support.
✅ 1-833-TLC-MAMA – The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline is available 24/7 in English and Spanish, with text options for quick, confidential help.

10/13/2025

There’s still time to register! 🕊️ Every name, every story matters. In honor of Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Month, join our free webinar for maternal-health clinicians, community workers, and advocates.

Together we will:
✅ Identify leading causes of pregnancy & infant deaths in Mississippi
✅ Interpret racial disparities to inform equity-focused care
✅ Examine mental-health impacts of loss (including PMAD risk)
✅ Practice trauma-informed, person-centered approaches to support grieving families

💜 FREE CEUs (1 hour) for Social Workers & CHES professionals
👉 Register now: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/7RMgXzwESdmoKrzmH1qykA

10/08/2025

Did you know? Doulas and Social Workers make the perfect team in supporting mamas through pregnancy, birth, and beyond. 💕

This dynamic duo brings comfort, advocacy, and care when families need it most.

Tag or share with a Doula or Social Worker who’s making an impact! 🙌🏾

10/07/2025

Mississippi families deserve better. In 2022, our state lost 319 babies—an infant mortality rate of 9.2 per 1,000 live births (U.S. average: 5.6). Every number is a loved baby, a grieving family, and a community called to care. 🕊️

Here’s how we can help—today:
💜 Support safe sleep: Back to sleep, own space, smoke-free environment.
💜 Connect to care: Encourage early prenatal/postpartum visits and lactation support.
💜 Wrap around families: Refer to WIC, Healthy Start and other local home-visiting programs.
💜 Prioritize mental health: The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline is available 24/7 —(1-833-TLC-MAMA) for quick access to support.
💜 Tools that help: Use a kick-counting app or paper tracker; to monitor baby movements in the womb.

If you’re a parent, caregiver, or provider, sharing a resource can save a life. Let’s stand with Mississippi families—with compassion, information, and action. 💜