Therapist for Mama

02/24/2026

Healthy validation isn’t about praise. It’s about being witnessed, feeling real and having your internal experience mirrored back.

Parents need validation just as much as children do. So many of us were conditioned to believe we shouldn’t so ….

Over-functioning, perfectionism, or hoping someone will just notice! Anyone? Anyone? 🤓

Heathy ways to seek validation:

✨ Directly ask for emotional acknowledgment: “can you tell me what you see me doing well right now?”

✨Share your internal experience with someone safe:
“today was really hard, I need to say that out loud”

✨Self talk: “that was a hard moment and I showed up”

✨Community: trusted friend, parent group, therapist,

✨Ask for reflective listening, not solutions: “can you sit with me in this for a minute? I don’t need advice. Hear me out.”

✨Let your body receive: take a slow exhale after a compliment. pause instead of brushing off praise.

02/23/2026

I get it.

When life has demanded too much for too long, the body adapts by staying activated.

You move fast. You think fast. You see the problems before there are any. You try to stay ahead of EVERYTHING.

But I hear the nuances when you speak about wanting to do it differently: “not me” “not aligned with who I want to be as a parent” “I wouldn’t want to be around myself either”.

It’s survival, not preference. ✨

I’m here to support you in learning that you’re not behind. You’re overloaded. And your body is doing everything it can to keep you afloat.

The goal isn’t to “slow down”. My goodness, what a threat! It’s like telling someone to “calm down” 🙃

It’s to help your system feel safe enough that slowing down becomes possible 🤍

Link in bio to book consult - let’s chat.

01/30/2026

“Baby Blues” - let’s rebrand. I break down the physiological process that occurs verses the myths/stigma the phrase carries.

There is also a check point on this process to continue monitoring your mental health:

Start: usually within the first couple of days after childbirth
Peak: 3-5 days postpartum
Baseline: a return to feeling “more like me” within two weeks

I’m always looking for the persistence beyond two weeks to talk about what else might be happening ✨

If this resonated for you and you’d like a consult to chat, book with my Calendly link in bio. Phone and video options to meet 🤍

01/14/2026

a big question I have been holding for myself is “where would love have me go? have me do?”

not only in my everyday personal life decisions but also my business.

a therapy practice.

you may not have known this, but from 2022-mid 2025 I was solo earner in my family of three while my husband went back to school.

😅

a decision that cracked me open in all the ways and guided me to lean into different parts of myself

I had to say “no” to a lot of things, people and places

But right now there’s an opening …. during a time when community, connection, and compassion is needed more than ever ❤️

Love would have me offer a free virtual support group for early postpartum parents. And It’s here.

We start this Friday, January 16th

🗓️ Fridays, 9-9:45am
💻 weekly virtual link
✅ link in bio to register

an honor and a privilege to do this work

🤍 Angela (therapist & mother)

01/06/2026

Hi 👋🏻

We are so back ✨ Check the 2026 dates for our next 3️⃣ beach bump walks on the 2nd Wednesday of each month.

Next up:
Wednesday, January 11th
Blue Palm Mission Beach
📍2912 Mission Blvd, 92109
window of gathering 10am-12pm
we do windows … because mom life.

we’ll gather for a chat & connect and then hit the mission beach boardwalk.

first time & seasoned mama walkers welcome & welcome back ✨

comment or DM to join & we’ll look for you!

🫶🏼 Angela & Melinda

12/29/2025

a new adventure back to long form content, come join!

Start where you are with what you have is what they say. My first Substack post. here we go

10/01/2025

a cozy little seaside walk & talk ☕️☀️

reflecting on ….

the thin veil between thresholds of embodying the final days of pregnancy one day and holding your baby in your arms the next

the delicateness & preciousness of the first few months of becoming a new parent

the incessant transitions and change

the reorganization of Self

and the grace and space we must give ourselves as we heal our bodies, grow into a new identity and learn so many things, so quickly.

you’re not alone 🤍

Hope to see you in November! 🧡

08/19/2025

these misconceptions keep new parents silent.

let’s keep education and truth flowing.

#1 It’s true there is the largest fluctuation of hormones during postpartum which can result in mood swings, fatigue and irritability. However, if this continues to last past two weeks it can begin to impact bonding, functioning and long term wellbeing 🤍

#2 Anyone can experience PPD or PPA, regardless of history. Yes, it’s true a history increases your vulnerability but this myth often leads women who have never struggled before with their mental health feeling unprepared and unsure what to do 🫶🏼

#3 Persistent distress isn’t okay. Normalizing suffering can delay help and increases shame over time 🤍

#4 Symptoms can emerge anytime in the first year postpartum, not just the first few weeks. Many parents feel fine initially and then struggle months later. 🫶🏼

I hope this is helpful to consider whether you are a new parent, supporting parents or a friend to a parent.

Listen to Mothers.

You’re not alone.

08/05/2025

It’s hard to capture the complexity of the postpartum experience. It’s the quotes and words of Mothers that hold the joys & challenges of new Motherhood.

Postpartum emotions can be a roller coaster, ranging from overwhelming joy to intense anxiety or sadness.

Mood swings, crying spells, and difficulty sleeping are mostly temporary.

However 🫶🏼

Some Mothers develop postpartum depression, a more serious experience requiring professional support.

If you’re looking for a therapist who specializes in Perinatal Mental Health, during this precious season of life, let’s chat.

You’re not alone 🤍

Link in bio for getting started with a phone or video chat consultation.

Virtual & in person sessions in San Diego available.

05/12/2025

Beach Bumps is a monthly offering open to any Mama seeking community. All stages of Motherhood are welcome 🤍

We often hear arriving to a walk is the first time you’ve traveled on your own with baby.
We listen to your hard.
We celebrate your joy.
We’re curious that you’re trying something different with wake windows.
We learn you just moved here or are the first of your friends to enter Mamahood.

We got you 🤍

You can expect a small and intimate environment.
You can expect Mamas taking breaks to nurse, rock, soothe, feed.
You can expect to meet someone new.
You can expect to see familiar faces.

We are so excited to welcome in nurturing providers and resources this season to share valuable info and bridges to care.

Josie will join us for an *ask a midwife* coffee chat before our walk.

Take precious care & see you soon 🌻

03/28/2025

We’ve switched it up to meet on a Saturday this month! ☕️🤰🏻

We’ll spend some time with Dr. Jordi Smith, Pediatric Naturopathic Doctor of Nourish Medical and hear all about the babies she works with and ask any questions you’ve been holding 🌷

Let’s get out of the virtual threads and into community for support 🌱

Let us know that you’ll be joining us ⬇️

03/06/2025

Beach Bumps is a monthly offering open to any Mama seeking community. All stages of Motherhood are welcome 🤍

We often hear arriving to a walk is the first time you’ve traveled on your own with baby.
We often hear you had a hard night.
We often hear you’re trying something different with wake windows.
We often hear you just moved here and don’t have any Mama friends.

We got you 🤍

You can expect a small and intimate environment.
You can expect Mamas taking breaks to nurse, rock, soothe, feed.
You can expect to meet someone new.
You can expect to see familiar faces.

We are so excited to welcome in nurturing providers and resources this season to share valuable info and bridges to care. Dr. Lauren of THRIVE Physical Therapy will be with us sharing important info for Pelvic Floor care during pregnancy & postpartum.

Take precious care & see you soon 🌻