Maternal Mental Health Support
Djenley Bernadin offers a warm, inclusive, and trauma-informed space for Maternal mental health support provides compassionate care for individuals and families navigating the emotional, physical, and relational transitions of pregnancy and postpartum. Support may address concerns such as baby blues, postpartum depression, anxiety, depression, infertility, pregnancy loss, grief and loss, birth trauma, NICU experiences, and fears related to health conditions like preeclampsia.
Care also focuses on relationship changes, family conflict, in-law dynamics, domestic violence concerns, identity shifts, and adjusting to new roles while strengthening family integration. Practical and emotional guidance is offered around breastfeeding and feeding transitions, body changes, safe sleep, introducing baby to siblings, bonding, returning to work, self-care, and building healthy coping skills. The goal is to create a safe, affirming space where you feel supported, informed, and empowered throughout your parenting journey.
If you or anyone you know is struggling with any of the above; we Are hear to help!
Inclusive Maternal Health
How PPD shows up differently in BIPOC Birthing People
Postpartum depression (PPD) does not look the same for everyone, and in BIPOC mothers it is often underdiagnosed or misunderstood. Instead of visible sadness, it may show up as irritability, rage, emotional numbness, exhaustion, anxiety, or “shutting down.” Cultural expectations around strength and self-sacrifice. Especially in immigrant or collectivist families; can make it harder to admit struggling, while fear of judgment or medical racism may lead some to suffer in silence. Systemic stressors like financial strain, discrimination, and limited access to culturally responsive care.
Baby blues
and
postpartum depression (PPD)
Baby blues and postpartum depression (PPD) are not the same, though they can feel similar at first.
Baby Blues are a very common and temporary emotional adjustment that affects up to 70–80% of new mothers, usually starting 2–3 days after birth and resolving on their own within two weeks. Symptoms often include tearfulness, mood swings, irritability, feeling overwhelmed, and trouble sleeping, but you can still feel moments of joy and connection with your baby. These feelings are largely caused by rapid hormone shifts, physical recovery, and the huge life transition of becoming a parent.
Postpartum Depression, on the other hand, is a clinical mood disorder that can begin anytime within the first year after birth and lasts longer than two weeks without improving on its own. It involves more persistent and intense symptoms such as ongoing sadness or emptiness, loss of interest in things you used to enjoy, disconnection from your baby, deep guilt or shame, hopelessness, rage, panic attacks, intrusive thoughts, appetite changes, or even thoughts of harming yourself. Unlike baby blues, PPD interferes with daily functioning and requires support and treatment. If your symptoms last more than two weeks, feel heavy or unmanageable, or include hopelessness, intrusive thoughts, or thoughts of self-harm, it’s important to seek support. If you’re wondering whether what you’re feeling is “normal,” that alone is a reason to reach out — you don’t have to figure it out alone.
How Fathers/Partners Experience Postpartum Depression
Postpartum depression doesn’t only affect mothers. Fathers and partners can experience it too, though it often looks different and goes unrecognized. Instead of tearfulness or visible sadness, partners may show symptoms such as irritability, anger, emotional withdrawal, working excessively, increased substance use, sleep disruption, or feeling numb and disconnected from both the baby and their partner. Many struggle silently with pressure to “stay strong,” provide financially, or hold everything together while watching their partner recover. They may feel helpless, excluded from bonding, resentful about relationship changes, or guilty for not feeling immediate joy. Hormonal shifts (including drops in testosterone), sleep deprivation, financial stress, and major identity changes can all contribute.
Partners are also at higher risk if;
The birthing parent is experiencing postpartum depression. Because society rarely talks about paternal or partner PPD, many don’t realize what they’re feeling has a name, and that it’s treatable. Postpartum depression in fathers and partners is not weakness; it’s a real and valid response to a profound life transition, and support can strengthen both individual well-being and the family system as a whole.
Individual Therapy
Inclusive one-on-one sessions tailored for BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ birthing people. We provide a warm space to navigate identity, stress, and cultural experiences during your reproductive journey.
Birth & Processing
A compassionate space to honor your birth story, pregnancy loss, or fertility journey. Our trauma-informed approach supports healing and normalization at every stage of your experience.
Support For Your Reproductive Journey
Mood & Anxiety Support
Specialized care for the emotional shifts of pregnancy and postpartum. We offer grounding therapy for perinatal mood changes, centering your resilience and unique cultural heritage.
Support for Partners
Inclusive care for fathers, non-gestational parents, and partners. We help the whole family unit build strong connections and navigate the transitions of growing together.