It Takes a Village
Therapy for Women and Couples Navigating
Fertility, Pregnancy, and Postpartum
In-person in Encino, California · Online throughout California
You’re Considering Growing Your Family…
Making the choice to have a child comes with some complicated feelings.
Biology is a factor. “Do we have time to put this off?”
Fertility treatments have begun. After several rounds, you are feeling discouraged.
If you’re still considering whether to have a baby, perhaps you are dealing with some fearful internal questions such as:
“How will this impact my relationship?”
“How will I maintain my identity?”
“What if I’m a horrible parent and screw up this child?”
If you had a tumultuous childhood, you’ll feel even more fear around this enormous decision.
You’re Expecting (Congratulations!)…
…but why aren’t you as excited as you thought you would be?
You’re thinking constantly about the health of your baby at the same time that you feel anticipatory grief about losing your identity.
You have growing concerns about finances.
Your body doesn’t feel like it belongs to you anymore.
You’re awash in questions:
“How will this decision change the quality of our lives?”
“Will having a baby affect the strength of our relationship?”
“Will I have time to do what I love?”
You’re becoming increasingly concerned as you become increasingly pregnant.
Your Baby Is Here…
So, why does it feel like your world is collapsing?
Sleep deprivation makes everything harder. Decisions feel overwhelming.
You’re arguing with your partner over the scarcity of personal time and sleep.
Enraged one moment and deeply sad the next. Your hormones are all over the place.
You perseverate about your baby’s safety… but you also want a reprieve.
The process took months of thinking about it, then trying for a baby. Then, more months carrying the baby in your womb – and the painful and potentially traumatic delivery.
You thought you’d be living in a bubble of joy.
You feel disheartened that it’s been such a struggle and question if you were cut out for motherhood.
We Aren’t Meant to Be Isolated During This Time
In collectivist societies, most new parents are surrounded by helping hands.
Culturally speaking, Americans are individualistic and siloed. This benefits us when we are individuating from our parents as adolescents and when we leave the nest to go off to college. It doesn’t serve us when we transition into a phase of life that requires the support of others, be it passing on information or simply providing the comfort of presence.
Trying to “figure out” these life stages without any guidance sets us up for a steeper uphill battle than we already have.
You have sacrificed your body, your sleep, your free time and other resources. Now, you deserve to be held.
Getting Support Starts Here
Regardless of where you are in this journey to becoming a parent, each phase has a unique set of struggles, anxieties, and relational impacts.
You need a space where you feel normalized and validated as you talk about what you’re going through.
You need to support to find a more balanced perspective about this incredibly powerful season in your life.
On our own, we can easily stay stuck in our own patterned ways of thinking. A therapist is a helpful sounding board, particularly when that therapist has supported many others dealing with similar experiences.
Hi, I’m Annalisa.
I am a licensed marriage and family therapist.
I am also a mother, a partner, a daughter, a sister, and a friend.
I am the support you are seeking to help you navigate this challenging life change.
Transitioning from “maiden to mother” was THE MOST profound experience of my life. It broke me open, good and bad.
The emotions I experienced (and still do!) were intense in unexpected and pervasive ways. Motherhood is forever.
We live in a society that doesn’t do a good job acknowledging the transformative nature of having your heart living on the outside of your body.
The phrase “bounce back” comes to mind here.
Maternity leave is unfairly short in most states. More training is required to drive a car (necessary, too, of course) than is provided to raise a human being.
You get two days in a hospital and then you’re sent on your way with this precious package that you’re supposed to (and undoubtedly WANT to) keep alive forever.
One of the more attuned phrases, “It takes a village,” has become my mantra. I want to be part of your village.
Together, we can resolve your fears and sense of inadequacy so you can fully show up for yourself and your baby. You are not alone.
How We Work Together
Regardless of where you are in your journey to parenthood, I
am here to support you.
As part of your village, I am trained – and experienced – in the numerous emotions that arise throughout the process.
Together, we can examine your thoughts to learn which are valid and which can be put aside.
