Perinatal Support
WE’RE READY TO MEET YOU WHERE YOU ARE
The perinatal period encompasses pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum phase and is a profound time of transition, adjustments, emotional changes, and challenges for new parents and caregivers.
All kinds of life transitions happen around birth, and they can be like birthing a new self entirely. As maternity nurse specialist Reva Rubin has said, “Childbearing requires an exchange of a known self in a known world for an unknown self in an unknown world.” With so much change, it’s not always clear how to stay connected and grounded within yourself. Pregnancy, birth, and postpartum may look different from what you expected or hoped for.
At Ensemble Therapy, we support caregivers who are affected by perinatal mood and anxiety disorders or simply need support through experiences related to pregnancy, birth, loss, early parenthood, and more, so you can feel seen and heard within a safe, non-judgemental and compassionate space.
What is Perinatal Support?
Even if you’re already a caregiver, each pregnancy, child, and relationship with a child is entirely unique, and therefore requires unique ways for you to be supported.
Our blog post on Perinatal Mental Health speaks to the wide variety of ways caregivers may be impacted during this phase of life. If you haven’t had a chance to read it, we encourage you to take a look! It’s a great starting point for understanding struggles of caregivers and how you can benefit from therapeutic support, from coming to terms with all manner of feelings about having a new life in your care, grieving the loss of your previous identity, navigating a perinatal mood and anxiety disorder (PMAD), the pain of pregnancy, child loss, or having to overcome continual challenges with infertility.
No matter what you’re facing, it’s clear there’s no lack of areas that can benefit from support when it comes to perinatal mental health.
In a therapeutic context, Perinatal Support offers a safe, judgment-free space where the therapist has your care and wellbeing at the forefront of their mind and is dedicated to holding space for you. Within individual sessions or within a group setting, you can speak what feels like the unspeakable and be met with acceptance, compassion and hope.
When to Seek Perinatal Support?
It’s enough to be pregnant or postpartum, trying to get pregnant, or experiencing circumstances related to childbirth and early parenthood to seek support. No matter the intensity of your circumstances, if you feel like you could use an unbiased supporter on your side, that is enough of a reason.
Some additional instances where perinatal support might be useful include:
Experiencing significant depression, which might include deep sadness, feeling uninterested in what you usually enjoy, or crying frequently
Experiencing a high frequency of irritability, anger, or rage
Reliving your childhood traumas or attachment challenges
Isolating yourself from family and friends or losing interest in activities you once enjoyed
When relational dynamics with your partner have become stressful
Feeling overwhelmed or anxious about pregnancy and childbirth
Feeling unsure about your new identity or grieving how your life has changed
Experiencing pregnancy or infant loss
Navigating infertility
Feeling guilty or shameful as a caregiver
Feeling fearful of being left alone with your baby, which may include distressing thoughts
Experiencing challenges bonding with your baby
In all of these instances, your experience will be believed and treated with sensitivity and understanding.
Services
Our Perinatal Support specializes in perinatal mental health, supporting transitions through pregnancy, perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMAD), pregnancy and infant loss, infertility, and early years of parenthood.
Individual Perinatal Support Session, 45 minutes
$150 with Jami or Royal
$215 with Colleen
Virtual sessions: Texas
In-person sessions: Berkman or Spicewood Springs office
Please note that our offices serve many young clients and may be overwhelming or triggering for clients seeking therapy for infant loss or infertility; your therapist will work with you to explore the setting that is the right fit for you before beginning sessions
Walk & Talk sessions: Central Austin
Perinatal Support Groups
Our Approach
Whether you’re anticipating the arrival of your baby, adjusting to life as a new caregiver, or navigating a significant life change related to birth and early parenthood, it’s natural to experience a wide range of emotions and challenges — and there’s no need to add shame, isolation, or more confusion from outside sources on top of that!
At Ensemble Therapy, you can rest easy knowing that what you share with your therapist is received without judgment. No matter what you’re thinking — even if it feels really out there! — what’s in your head has been thought by a potential parent or a caregiver before. You can bring your fears and feelings to our licensed therapists who will create a space for you to feel less alone and more capable of holding, facing, and soothing what’s coming up for you.
READY TO FIND OUT IF PERINATAL SUPPORT IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
Meet your therapist below and discuss what you’re looking for with them.
Meet Our Therapists
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Meet Our Therapists ♡
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My work with perinatal clients focuses on creating a safe space where you can express thoughts and feelings that may seem unspeakable, knowing they will be met with compassion and free of judgment. With specialized training in maternal mental health from Postpartum Support International (PSI), I am committed to supporting you through this uniquely beautiful and complex phase of life. Together, we can navigate the challenges, problem-solve, and collaborate as your identity and roles evolve during this transformative journey.
Currently under the clinical supervision of Jaclyn N. Sepp, MA, LPC-S, RPT-S™, NCC, RYT® 200 and Leah Gilbert, MEd, LPC-S, NCC
Want to connect with Jami?
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Royal serves as a therapeutic resource for families, helping children and caregivers feel seen, heard, and supported. Whether you are coming to therapy for a child needing help being with big emotions, a teen feeling anxious or depressed, or you – a caregiver – looking for guidance on current challenges with your child, Royal offers a compassionate and welcoming space for exploration and growth.
Understanding that play is the natural language of children, Royal uses a non-directive and invitational approach that enables her clients to discover their unique paths toward healing and self-discovery. Through therapeutic play, children develop self-confidence and discover their innate ability to overcome life's obstacles.
Royal's therapeutic philosophy centers on the belief that each client deserves individualized attention and support. She implements an integrative, trauma-informed approach drawing from Child-Centered Play Therapy, Interpersonal Neurobiology, somatic psychotherapy, mindfulness, and expressive art therapies. Recognizing the vital role of family in children's mental health, Royal collaborates closely with caregivers to nurture healthy connections that support children's emotional, social, and cognitive development.
Royal received a Masters in Social Work with a concentration in child and family therapy from the University of Houston (CSWE Accredited Program) and a Bachelors in Business Administration from the University of Texas at Austin McCombs School of Business. She is currently pursuing certification as a Somatic Experiencing® Practitioner (SEP), completing the foundational level of the three-year professional program. Royal maintains active memberships in the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), the Association of Play Therapy (APT), and the Texas Association of Play Therapy (TAPT). Additionally, she holds a certification in Maternal Mental Health from Postpartum Support International and specializes in supporting caregivers through various new parenting challenges.
A native Texan, Royal spends her free time exploring parks and trails with her husband and two daughters, cooking for loved ones, and enjoying walks with her dog Daisy.
Currently under the clinical supervision of Katie Malinski, LCSW-S
Want to connect with Royal?
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Colleen Turner is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Registered Play Therapist™ (RPT™). Colleen received her Master of Science in Social Work degree from the University of Texas at Austin and her Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign. Colleen has worked with children and their families for the last 15 years in the child welfare system, schools, and community mental health. Colleen is a Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) Educator trained by the Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development at Texas Christian University and Circle of Security Parenting Facilitator. Colleen takes a whole-family, attachment-based, and trauma-informed approach to therapy, acknowledging that the family system is the most salient in a child’s life and can also be the source of the most support and healing.
Colleen is originally from Illinois but moved to Austin for the better weather (no dreary winters and icy roads!) and the outdoor and dog-friendly vibes. Colleen enjoys spending time with her friends and family and frequents many of Austin's parks and libraries with her toddler.