The Center for Postpartum Family Health

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The Center for Postpartum Family Health

Counseling for Pregnancy, Postpartum and Parenthood. Houston, The Woodlands, Spring, and online across Texas. Therapy for motherhood, not just mental health.

Get our FREE Fourth Trimester Guide https://tinyurl.com/cpfhmoms Sherry Duson, M.A., LMFT-S, LPC-S is a mental health professional who has been working with new mothers and their families since 1999. Under her supervision, interns at The Center for Postpartum Family Health conduct counseling, screening, and assessment for perinatal challenges such as:

Pregnancy loss
Pregnancy depression and anxiety
Infertility
Birth Trauma
Postpartum Depression- Diagnosis and Treatment
Postpartum OCD and Anxiety-Diagnosis and Treatment
Self-Care for New Mothers
Family/Couple Adjustment to Children
Couples or Marriage Counseling
Adoption
Abuse
Attachment
Parent and in-law issues
Blended families
Referral to medical treatment when necessary

Also available: support groups for new mothers at our 2 locations

CPFH strives to provide new parents with the information and support they need to thrive during this important life transition. All sessions are by appointment, and available on a sliding-scale basis

03/21/2026

We believe cost should never be a barrier to healing. 💛

We are so excited to share that Melissa Winkelmann, a master's-level student intern, is now accepting new clients at just $65 per session — with a sliding scale available for those who qualify for even further reduced rates.

Melissa specializes in working with:

🤍 New moms navigating the challenges of early parenthood

🤍 Couples seeking to strengthen their connection

🤍 Children ages 10 and up

If you or someone you know has been putting off getting support because of cost — this is your sign to take that first step.

Compassionate, specialized care is now more accessible than ever.

Spots are limited so don't wait — reach out today!

👉 Call us today or visit our website to get started!

We can't wait to welcome you. 💛

03/20/2026

Endometriosis affects 1 in 10 women — but the emotional weight of it is rarely part of the conversation. 💛

The pain that gets dismissed. The fertility questions that keep you up at night. The grief of a journey that looks nothing like you imagined. The loneliness of navigating something so deeply personal while the world keeps moving around you.

If you're living with endometriosis and struggling to conceive, you already know — this isn't just a physical experience. It reaches into every corner of your life.

You might be carrying:

💭 Grief over the fertility journey you didn't expect
💭 Anxiety and fear around what the future holds
💭 Anger at a body that feels like it's working against you
💭 Exhaustion from advocating for yourself at every appointment
💭 A sadness that's hard to explain to people who haven't lived it

Here's what we want you to know — your emotional health through this journey matters just as much as your physical health.

The grief is real. The fear is valid. And you deserve support that sees all of it.

We specialize in supporting women navigating fertility struggles, reproductive loss, and the emotional complexity that comes with it. You don't have to carry this alone.

👉 Call us today or book a free 15-minute consultation at our website— because you deserve care that honors every part of this journey. 💛

03/19/2026

✦ TOOL OF THE WEEK ✦

🌿The STOP Skill for Anxious Moments Outside 🌿

Getting outside with your baby is supposed to feel refreshing — but for many postpartum moms, it can trigger a wave of anxiety that comes out of nowhere.

The crowded grocery store. The busy park. The simple errand that suddenly feels like too much.

If that sounds familiar, this one's for you.

When anxiety spikes mid-walk or mid-errand, try the DBT STOP Skill to create a moment of space before reacting:

S — Stop Pause. Don't act on the urge to flee or freeze. Just stop.

T — Take a breath One slow, deliberate breath in through the nose. Out through the mouth.

O — Observe What's actually happening right now — not in your thoughts, but in the present moment?

P — Proceed mindfully What is one small action you can take that aligns with what matters to you right now?

Save this to your phone, tape it to the stroller, or simply remember the word STOP. 💛

You already have this tool — we're just reminding you it's there.

👉 If postpartum anxiety is making everyday moments feel overwhelming, we're here to help.

Call us today or book a free 15-minute consultation at our website.

👉 Want more practical tools like this delivered straight to your inbox?

Sign up for our newsletter today: https://link.therasaas.com/widget/form/SBtBsDo37v7a4hjMXpEt

03/18/2026

Losing an hour of sleep hits different in the postpartum season. 😴💛

Most people grumble about Daylight Saving Time for a day and move on. But when you're already running on broken sleep, a newborn's unpredictable schedule, and emotional reserves that were already low — that one hour can feel like it breaks everything.

If this week has felt harder than usual, you're not imagining it.

You might be feeling:
💭 More irritable, tearful, or on edge than normal
💭 Anxiety that spikes when the baby won't settle
💭 Guilt that you can't "just push through"
💭 Exhausted in a way that sleep alone can't fix

Here's what we want you to know — sleep deprivation is one of the biggest triggers for postpartum mood and anxiety disorders. What you're feeling is not weakness. It's biology. And it deserves real support.

Give yourself grace this week. Rest when you can. Ask for help without apologizing for it. And if you've been struggling beyond the exhaustion — we're here.

👉 Call us today or book a free 15-minute consultation — because you deserve support that meets you exactly where you are. 💛

03/13/2026

Every mother's healing journey is unique — but one thing is true across the board: you deserve to be nourished, supported, and cared for. 💛

Pregnancy and postpartum bring so many changes — physical, emotional, and everything in between. And the pressure to eat "perfectly," look a certain way, or feel grateful for every moment isn't fair — or realistic.

This National Nutrition Month, we want to talk about what nourishment really looks like for mothers.

You might be experiencing:
💭 A complicated relationship with food during or after pregnancy
💭 Body image struggles that no one warned you about
💭 Guilt around eating, weight, or how your body has changed
💭 Pressure from social media, family, or even yourself

Here's what we want you to know — how you look, how fast you recover, or how well you eat does not measure your worth as a mother. Healing takes many forms, and your feelings are valid.

Every body. Every story. Every mother deserves care. 🌿

Nourishing yourself isn't selfish — it's the foundation everything else is built on. When you fill your own cup first, everyone you love benefits from the overflow.

Ready to start taking care of the person at the center of it all — you?

👉 Book a free consultation today at cpfh.org or call us— because you deserve support that meets you exactly where you are. 💛

03/12/2026

No one prepares you for the NICU. 💙

You imagined bringing your baby home wrapped in a blanket, not hooked up to monitors. That grief is real — even when your baby is right there in front of you.

The sleepless nights. The guilt of leaving the hospital without your baby. The fear that follows you home long after discharge — every milestone, every appointment, every moment wondering are they okay? am I okay?

You might still be carrying:

💭 Anxiety and hypervigilance that never fully turned off
💭 Grief for the birth experience you didn't get
💭 Fear around your child's development
💭 Trauma that didn't disappear when you finally went home

What you've been through was hard. Really hard. And you deserve a space to finally put it down.

Healing is possible. The hypervigilance can soften. The grief can move through you. You don't have to get there alone.

At CPFH, we get it and we're here for NICU parents still carrying the weight of that experience.

👉 You've been strong enough for long enough.

Call us today or book a free 15-minute consultation at cpfh.org — because you deserve to finally breathe. 💙

03/11/2026

You don't have to do this alone. 🤍✨

The Mother's Circle is a virtual support group designed to help you reconnect with yourself, manage the overwhelm, and find community with moms who just get it.

This isn't just another thing on your to-do list — it's one hour a week to breathe, be heard, and grow alongside women navigating the same messy, beautiful, hard parts of motherhood.

We'll explore:
✨ Emotional regulation & managing anxiety
✨ Setting boundaries without the guilt
✨ Communication & relationship skills
✨ Rediscovering who you are beyond "Mom"

🗓️ Tuesdays at 12:00 PM | 8-week program 💻 Virtual & intimate (6–12 moms) 💰 $20 per session | Aetna & Cigna accepted 👩⚕️ Led by a licensed perinatal therapist

➡️ Ready to find your circle? An individual intake is required prior to joining. Call us or visit cpfh.org to get started!

02/22/2026

🗣️ Tool of the Week: The "DEAR MAN" Skill

Why is it that as parents, we often wait until we are completely drowning before we ask for help? 🌊

Low maternal self-esteem often stems from a lack of self-advocacy. We feel guilty for having needs, so we stay silent until we reach a breaking point. This week, let’s trade the "hinting and hoping" for a DBT skill designed to help you get what you need effectively: DEAR MAN.

The Breakdown:
D (Describe): Stick to the facts. "I’ve been managing bedtime alone every night lately."
E (Express): Use "I" statements. "I’m feeling exhausted and resentful."
A (Assert): Be clear. "I need you to take over bedtime two nights a week."
R (Reinforce): Why does it matter? "It helps me recharge so I can be more present."
M (Mindful): Stay on track. Don't bring up the laundry from 2024!
A (Appear Confident): Use a steady voice and make eye contact.
N (Negotiate): Be open to a counter-offer that still meets your core need.

Remember: You don’t have to "earn" help by suffering first. You deserve to have your needs met because you matter. 🤍

Want more practical scripts to help you advocate for yourself and your family?

➡️ Get our "Tool of the Week" delivered to your inbox every Tuesday. Sign up for our newsletter today: https://link.therasaas.com/widget/form/SBtBsDo37v7a4hjMXpEt

02/20/2026

✨ 3 Ways to Rebuild Your Self-Esteem Today

We often think of self-esteem as a feeling we have to "find," but in DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy), we treat it as something we build through small, intentional actions. 🛠️

If you’ve been feeling like you're constantly failing or "not enough," try these three evidence-based practices to shift the narrative:

💬 1. Practice Self-Validation Self-compassion is great, but validation is the game-changer. It’s acknowledging that your feelings actually make sense.

Stop saying: "I should be more grateful; I shouldn't be this stressed."
Start saying: "Of course I’m overwhelmed. I’m running on 4 hours of sleep and managing a thousand things. This is objectively hard."

Why it works: It stops the shame spiral and helps you work with reality instead of fighting it.

🧘♀️ 2. Use "Opposite Action" for Shame Shame wants you to hide, withdraw, or over-apologize. To break its power, you have to do the opposite. * The Move: Text a friend instead of isolating, or ask for help instead of "white-knuckling" it alone.

Why it works: It proves to your nervous system that you aren't in danger—you're just human.

🌱 3. Build an "Evidence File"
Find out more about our third way in our weekly newsletter!
https://link.therasaas.com/widget/form/SBtBsDo37v7a4hjMXpEt

Rebuilding your self-esteem doesn't happen overnight, but you don't have to do it alone. Therapy provides the tools and the safe space to transform how you see yourself.

💻 Ready to stop the shame spiral and start building a life you feel proud of? Book your therapy session today: https://www.cpfh.org/contact

02/18/2026

🌱 Let Your Support System Bloom

Spring is a season of renewal—but for many mothers, it can also feel like a season of "burnout" as the school year picks up pace and the calendar fills up. This year, don't just spring-clean your home; refresh your spirit. 🌸

Our Mother’s Circle is returning soon, offering you a dedicated space to "w**d out" the guilt and plant seeds of self-care. This is your village, redefined—a virtual sanctuary where you can set down the mental load and breathe.

We’re growing together through:
🌦️ Weathering the Storms: Tools for managing anxiety and seasonal overwhelm.
🌿 Clear Boundaries: Learning to protect your energy like a gardener protects a new sprout.
✨ New Growth: Rediscovering your passions and identity outside of motherhood.

The Details:
📅 When: Tuesdays at 12:00 PM | Starts soon
💻 Where: Virtual (60-minute sessions)
💰 Cost: $20/session (Aetna & Cigna accepted)
🔒 Environment: Small, intimate, and confidential

Motherhood wasn't meant to be done in isolation. Let’s help you bloom into this next season with the support you deserve.

➡️ Ready to join our circle? An individual intake is required to ensure a perfect fit for every member. Call us today to secure your spot!

02/16/2026

🌊 You Cannot Pour From an Empty Vessel

“Self-love is an ocean and your heart is a vessel. Make it full, and any excess will spill over into the lives of the people you hold dear. But you must come first.” — Beau Taplin

As parents, partners, and friends, we often try to give until it hurts. We operate under the myth that "putting ourselves last" is the ultimate sign of love. But if your vessel is dry, what are you actually giving to those you hold dear? 🥀

When you prioritize your own mental health and self-love, you aren't taking away from your family—you are ensuring that what you give them is high-quality, sustainable, and comes from a place of abundance rather than resentment or exhaustion. 🕊️

Choosing therapy is how you fill your vessel. It is a dedicated space to:
⚓️ Anchor yourself when life feels turbulent.
✨ Process the heavy emotions that take up too much room.
🌊 Rediscover the "ocean" of worth that exists within you.

When you come first, everyone you love benefits from the overflow.

Ready to start filling your own heart first?

💻 Book your first therapy session today and prioritize the person at the center of it all—YOU: https://www.cpfh.org/contact

02/15/2026

🤝 Tool of the Week: The "Turn Toward" Practice

Did you know that the secret to a lasting relationship isn't usually found in grand romantic gestures, but in the tiny moments of everyday life?

Relationship expert Dr. John Gottman calls these moments "bids for connection." A bid is any attempt from your partner to get your attention, affirmation, or affection. It might be as simple as: 🌅 "Wow, look at that sunset." 😩 "I had such a long day." 🤝 A hand reaching across the seat in the car.

Your Challenge This Week: Notice when your partner makes a bid—and practice turning toward them instead of turning away.

The Script:
❌ Instead of: "Uh-huh" (while scrolling through your phone)
✅ Try: Putting the phone down, making eye contact, and saying, "Tell me more" or "That sounds hard."

It takes less than 30 seconds, but consistently turning toward your partner is the foundation of trust and intimacy. It changes everything.

Want to dive deeper into Gottman methods for your relationship? ➡️ Schedule a session with Elisa Squier, LMFT, our Gottman Trained Clinician: https://www.cpfh.org/staff/elisa-squier-ma-lmft

Want more relationship "Quick Wins" delivered to your inbox? ➡️ Join our community and sign up for our newsletter today: https://link.therasaas.com/widget/form/SBtBsDo37v7a4hjMXpEt

Address

1544 Sawdust, Ste 290
The Woodlands, TX
77380

Website

http://cpfh.org/

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