Mom and Mind

Today’s guest shares the events leading up to her postpartum psychosis, what she experienced, and how she managed to recover. It is important to hear stories like this so people understand postpartum psychosis and know how to get help. We all need to recognize the symptoms and get the people we love the help they need. Join us for Jade’s powerful story. 

Jade Lloyd is a survivor of postpartum psychosis and a maternal mental health advocate from the UK. Her maternal mental health struggles began with anxiety and sleeplessness, soon progressing to scary, intrusive thoughts and hallucinations. Jade shares her story in the hope that more knowledge and understanding about postpartum depression, anxiety, and psychosis will lead to more moms getting the help they need without shame, blame, and stigma. 

Show Highlights:


Jade’s story: An easy pregnancy and plans for an at-home water birth turned into an induction, epidural, followed by a ventouse/forceps delivery.


Immediate feelings of shame and failure for not having the delivery she wanted


With a December 2020 birth, COVID lockdowns contributed to Jade’s mental health struggles.


The first symptom Jade noticed was anxiety.


Social media was Jade’s primary socialization, which led her to feel even more inadequate as a new mom.


Getting up the courage to admit to the doctor that she was “not ok.”


When asking for help makes you feel like an inconvenience


A specific event one night that scared Jade because of intrusive thoughts of harming herself


Dealing with the self-imposed pressure to be the perfect mom


Help from medications and a doctor who checked in with Jade regularly


Even with medication, Jade’s struggles continued with intrusive thoughts. 


Jade’s feelings of losing touch with reality and experiencing hallucinations


Treatment in the mother-baby unit


Jade’s passion for sharing her story and doing advocacy work for those with PPP


Hope for the future


Jade’s message to listeners and those who are suffering: “It’s okay to ask for help.”

Resources: 

Connect with Jade Lloyd: Instagram 

Call the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA or visitcdph.ca.gov.

Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. 

There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to be more supportive in offering services.

You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms.

Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/for information on the grief course. 

Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today! 

If you are a California resident seeking a therapist in perinatal mental health, please email me about openings for private pay clients.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A traumatic birth can happen to anyone, and it’s much more common than we might think. Today’s show focuses on birth trauma, what it looks like, and how the healing journey can positively reshape someone’s parenting experience. There is help! Join us to learn more!

Dr. Maya Weir is a clinical psychologist who specializes in birth trauma and the emotional transitions of early parenthood. Inspired by her own experience of becoming a parent, she understands how profound, overwhelming, and transformative this stage of life can be. Dr. Weir supports parents in making sense of their journey, healing from birth trauma, and cultivating grounded, connected ways to move forward. She offers short-term therapy for individuals and couples who are processing birth trauma, along with longer-term support for parents navigating the challenges of early parenthood. Based in Napa, CA, Dr. Weir provides virtual therapy throughout CA.

Show Highlights:


Birth trauma: an explanation and examples


Many people go through birth trauma and don’t realize it until later.


Invalidation compounds the original trauma.


Common symptoms of birth trauma: triggering memories, anxiety, and relationship issues


Strategies used to address birth trauma focus on somatic techniques.


Expected results of therapy for birth trauma


Understanding the intersection of different types of trauma


Therapy for birth trauma addresses feelings of guilt, blame, and failure.


Huge issues remain in the birthing system regarding how mothers are treated and spoken to in the sacred moments of childbirth.


A partner can feel shame for “not showing up” to prevent birth trauma. (Partners can greatly benefit from therapy, too!)


Recognizing generational shifts in parenting today


Key takeaways from Dr. Weir: “Healing is possible, your birth story deserves space, and you deserve to feel better and have access to parenting resources.”

Resources: 

Connect with Dr. Maya Weir

Website and Instagram

Call the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA or visitcdph.ca.gov.

Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. 

There are many free resources, such as online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to be more supportive in their work.

You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms.

Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/for information on the grief course. 

Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today! 

If you are a California resident seeking a therapist in perinatal mental health, please email me about openings for private pay clients.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today’s episode focuses on the impacts of ADHD and eating disorders on perinatal mental health. We aim to explore this topic and educate listeners on how these conditions intersect and overlap during life’s transitional periods. 

Laudan Kermani Gish is a licensed psychotherapist in California, Texas, and Connecticut who also offers coaching to clients worldwide. She specializes in women’s health, particularly eating disorders, ADHD, perinatal mental health, and life transitions; she welcomes clients of all genders. She blends trauma-informed and evidence-based modalities to help clients cultivate resilience, strengthen self-worth, and create lives that feel authentic and nourishing. Laudan provides services in both English and Farsi. 

Show Highlights:


ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that has wide-ranging impacts. 


Understanding eating disorders in a general sense


Examples of eating disorders: anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID)


The difference between disordered eating and an eating disorder


An increase in ADHD symptoms and eating disorders during the postpartum


Simply naming what’s happening makes it easier to seek help.


The benefit of the ADHD self-reporting assessment and the eating attitudes test


The neuroscience of ADHD, anxiety, and depression


Compassion is vital for avoiding self-judgment.


 Laudan’s advice for family members is to use “the sandwich approach” and come from a place of curiosity, not judgment.


Laudan’s key takeaways from today’s conversation

Resources: 

Connect with Laudan Gish: Website, Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale, and Eating Attitudes Test

Call the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA or visitcdph.ca.gov.

Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. 

There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to be more supportive in offering services.

You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms.

Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/for information on the grief course. 

Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today! 

If you are a California resident seeking a therapist in perinatal mental health, please email me about openings for private pay clients.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

There is much to consider about the intersection of perimenopause, ADHD, and postpartum. With more and more people choosing to have babies later in life, there is the likelihood that the start of perimenopause may coincide with the perinatal period. Those with ADHD have another variable thrown into the mix. We are tackling these topics with our expert guest today. Please join us!

Kara Cruz is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Perinatal Mental Health Specialist, private practice owner, clinical supervisor, women’s mental health advocate, and educator. Her areas of focus are reproductive mental health, ADHD, complex trauma, and mood and anxiety conditions. In addition to psychotherapy with individuals and couples, Kara also facilitates continuing education and mental health training for professionals. One of her favorite projects is her Therapist Group Bootcamp, where she teaches and coaches fellow therapists on building their own wellness and support groups. Kara is an EMDRIA-certified therapist who leads workshops, including her signature group for women, “It Begins With Us.” She is the co-owner/co-founder of Women’s Support Circle, a space for community, resource sharing, and support for women worldwide. She created the Wellness for Women Healers Community, a space for healers of all professions and backgrounds who share the common goal of promoting women’s healing and wellness. Away from work, Kara is a busy wife and mom, enjoying baseball, music, and all nature activities near the beautiful California coast. 

Show Highlights:


Women are suffering in silence, feeling shame and guilt about how they feel.


Understanding the basics of perimenopause


Perimenopause experiences cannot be compared from woman to woman; everyone is different.


The impacts of ADHD on perimenopause


Many professionals are not well-trained on menopause and perimenopause.


Kara’s personal experience with ADHD


Differences in males and females with ADHD (more external in boys/more internal in girls)


Kara’s observations with patients who finally admit they are overloaded and are experiencing multiple symptoms of ADHD


Similarities in symptoms for those who struggle with perimenopause and postpartum: anxiety, panic attacks, anger/irritability, depression, brain fog, sleep disturbances, sadness/crying, joint pain, etc. 


The importance of sleep for everyone


Kara’s process to help people track their sleep and identify their sleep issues


The value of a collaborative effort among a healthcare/treatment team


Kara’s trainings offered to therapy professionals (An overview of three core trainings in 2026)


How a therapist can help with perimenopause and ADHD

Resources:

Connect with Kara Cruz: Website, LinkedIn, and Instagram

Call the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA or visitcdph.ca.gov.

Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. 

There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to be more supportive in offering services.

You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms.

Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/for information on the grief course. 

Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today! 

If you are a California resident seeking a therapist in perinatal mental health, please email me about openings for private pay clients.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today’s focus is on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in treating perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs). Our expert guest will help us understand this therapy technique, its processes, and the overarching goal of this method. Join us to learn more!

Dr. Carissa Gustafson, PMH-C, is a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in perinatal psychology. She supports clients from preconception through parenting, with a particular focus on pregnancy and postpartum care. As the author of Reclaim Your Life: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in 7 Weeks, she utilizes Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help clients learn to relate to their thoughts and feelings with acceptance and compassion, while aligning their behavior with their values. Dr. Gustafson sees clients online throughout California and in person at Village Birth, a part of Heartship Psychological Services. In addition to seeing clients, she has been an adjunct professor and clinical faculty at Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology. 

Show Highlights:



Dr. Gustafson’s path to serving perinatal mental health clients through ACT



Understanding ACT as a therapy technique



The unpredictable nuances of the perinatal journey align perfectly with the core processes of ACT, especially for high-achieving women.



The need to be present with our difficult emotions



Learning to “surf the waves” of emotions and feelings



Compassion is essential because of the shame and blame we put on ourselves.



ACT core processes: mindfulness, acceptance/compassion, cognitive defusion, the observer self, values, and committed/valued action 



“Bringing presence to our pain brings peace.”



We don’t want to make an enemy of our internal experiences.



ACT offers a clear path to relief for PMADs if someone is willing to use the techniques.



Psychological health can be improved with flexibility in our thoughts and behaviors.



Acceptance doesn’t mean resignation. Advocacy and agency are vital!



Learn more about Dr. Gustafson’s book, training courses, and workbook (get yours for free at Dr. Gustafson's website!)

Resources:

Connect with Dr. Carissa Gustafson: Website, Instagram, and Reclaim Your Life: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in 7 Weeks

Call the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA or visitcdph.ca.gov.

Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. 

There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to be more supportive in offering services.

You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms.

Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/for information on the grief course. 

Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today! 

If you are a California resident seeking a therapist in perinatal mental health, please email me about openings for private pay clients.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices