Survivor Consultations

A person who feels empowered during their pregnancy and birth will often bond better with their baby, experience fewer perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, and move into parenthood with increased confidence and strength. For someone who is a sexual abuse, sexual assault, or birth trauma survivor, feeling empowered during pregnancy and birth can also help heal wounds from their past.

I have learned a lot from my clients about perinatal healthcare practices and how they can affect trauma survivors during pregnancy and birth. I have also completed a training program with Penny Simkin, PT and Phyllis Klaus, LMFT, coauthors of the book When Survivors Give Birth, and I specialize in working with childhood sexual abuse, sexual assault, and birth trauma survivors in the perinatal period.

Although addressing a history of abuse or trauma may not be what you envision doing during your pregnancy or postpartum time, for a trauma survivor to use this transformative time to both heal and prevent further traumatization can be life-altering.

The survivor consultation is designed to help a trauma survivor recognize what is -- or may be -- activating in their pregnancy, birth, and postpartum period. I utilize my clinical background as a psychotherapist, my practical skills and knowledge as a birth doula, and my training in trauma and recovery to help generate this awareness and ultimately the healing that comes from it.

Every survivor needs something different in order to heal, so every consultation is individualized. In general, we will: discuss the most common perinatal triggers, as outlined in the book When Survivors Give Birth; help you get clarity on which ones are the most triggering/anxiety producing for you; and strategize coping mechanisms that will be beneficial to you during your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. While childbirth can often trigger previous abuse or trauma, it's incredible how being aware of potential triggers (and learning how to prevent, decrease, or work with them) can lessen the potential for retraumatization, and ultimately provide the space for someone to heal old wounds and move into parenthood with a new sense of self.

A typical consultation is split into two 2-hour sessions, although some clients need a very specific consultation that only necessitates one-hour and others will benefit from three or four 2-hour sessions. Having a minimum of four hours allows us time to delve into each of the potential perinatal triggers and work on coping strategies and birth planning.

My rate for each two-hour consultation is $400. This includes the two hours we spend in session and the birth planning notes I will send you following our consultation. I offer a sliding-scale for clients who otherwise would not be able to engage in this important work. Please contact me for additional information or to schedule a consultation.