Holding Space

Want to know one of the most common questions I get asked from expecting parents: Can Postpartum Anxiety show up BEFORE baby is born? Yes it totally can, and this challenging yet not discussed enough experience has its own name: PRENATAL Anxiety. In this episode I share my conversation with Liesel Teen, Labor and Delivery Nurse and founder of Mommy Labor Nurse. Together we discuss ways you can begin to identify and address Prenatal Anxiety. She offers us many helpful and actionable tips to support you in navigating the Anxiety that may pop up during pregnancy. To learn more about Mommy Labor Nurse and Liesel's work, visit https://mommylabornurse.com/ or visit @mommy.labornurse on Instagram. You can also hear her on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast and find her courses here.  Get her FREE Birth Plan Template here! Did you connect with that episode? The best way to support Holding Space podcast is to subscribe and leave a review! Podcast reviews help us reach those who need it most, and I read each and every o

When you think about preparing for a new baby, what comes to mind? The perfect registry. Check! The finished nursery. Check! The ideal birth plan. Check! These are often the featured items on our checklist when we are expecting, and checking these things off our list can offer us a sense of control. Yet, what about preparing for the more nuanced and unexpected aspects of postpartum? Like, how this huge transition can bring up some pretty big emotions... We face a lot of conflicting and ambiguous feelings during postpartum and they can be tough to navigate. That's why I invited Nicole Makowka to help walk us through some of those unexpected, but common emotions that can come up during postpartum. Nicole is the Head of Education & Wellbeing at LOOM, a licensed marriage and family therapist, and an expert in early childhood development. In today's episode she offers us some real tangible tips that you can start taking today to help prepare you for those big feelings of postpartum. To learn more about

RESOURCE ALERT! This is a different kind of podcast episode. In this episode I'm highlighting a resource that I've personally found helpful in my own mindfulness/wellness journey. We're all starting to learn how important Mindfulness is when it comes to our mental health, right? I know I talk about it often with clients, and I've talked about it's role in my own life here on the podcast. I often recommend apps like Calm and Headspace as a great starting off point, but always wished there was a resource directed to new parents. Enter...Expectful! In this episode I share my conversation with Nathalie Walton, CEO of this mindfulness and wellness app for anyone navigating fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum. She shares the role mindfulness had in her own pregnancy and postpartum, specifically as it relates to struggles with control, anxiety, and sleep! To learn more about Expectful click here, and if you decide to explore this resource be sure to use code HOLDINGSPACE to try it out for $1 for

For many of us our 'fur babies' hold a very special place in our heart. So much so that when we're preparing to become a parent to a human baby, sometimes we can't help but feel a little guilty, anxious, or fearful about how a newborn might change our relationship with our pets. Maybe you're worried about how your pet will react to your baby, how your relationship with your pet will change with a baby around, or maybe you're already in the thick of postpartum and struggling with some of the big feelings coming up related to your pet. This is such a common experience for new parents, so I invited Dominika from @dogmeets_baby to come on and help us prepare for this experience. In this episode we talk about some of the common emotions new parents feel related to their dog, like feeling triggered by your dog or feelings of anger, resentment, or guilt. Dominika offers insightful tips for new parents as they prepare for and navigate this transition with their pet. I learned so much from this

Sex and intimacy after having a baby can be very different. We're often approved for sex and exercise at that six week postpartum appointment…but what if we're not ready? What if it's too soon? What if your partner is ready and you aren't or vice versa? What if your libido is off because of the hormonal fluctuations after having a baby? What if you're worried about pain or not feeling comfortable in your body? No one prepares us for these challenges. That's why today I am joined by the Shrink Chicks to talk about sex and intimacy after baby! We're addressing some of the common fears around intimacy after baby, some of the reasons why so much can change with sex after baby, and we're sharing ways that you can begin to know pleasure in your body again and navigate this sometimes awkward/uncomfortable transition with your partner. You deserve good and pleasurable sex. I hope this conversation will help normalize what you're experiencing and also offer support to you and your p

Have you ever had a thought in postpartum that felt disturbing or distressing to you? It pops up randomly, and you're kind of like, WOAH, where did that come from? What is wrong with me?? Maybe it was something like dropping your baby, getting into a car accident, an unwanted thought about your baby while changing their diaper, or something else of that nature...bottom line, it's intrusive and distressing.  If you can resonate with this experience, chances are you may have never even mentioned them to anyone. You might feel ashamed and lonely in these thoughts. While these thoughts can be incredibly distressing, you're not alone. Dr. Alice Pickering is joining me to talk about scary and intrusive thoughts. Dr. Alice dives deep into the corners of our mind, offers some examples that might resonate with you, describes why these thoughts occur, and goes into what we can do to help lessen the impact they have on us as new parents. You can learn more from Dr. Alice at her Instagram: @dralicepsyd Did yo

This episode has a really special place in my heart on a personal level. Over the last two years we’ve worked with Occupational Therapists to support the sensory processing challenges my own kids experience. Maybe you're in the same boat and your child is experiencing something similar or maybe, you're wondering what sensory processing disorder even is and if your child might be having a sensitivity to sensory processing... Whichever the case, you're in the right place. I have invited Laura Petix of @theotbutterfly onto the podcast to demystify Occupational Therapy, to talk about the experiences associated with sensory processing disorder, and to share how we can best support our kids and ourselves in these situations. I share a lot about my own family's experience with sensory processing challenges and Laura offers some tangible tips for how you can get support for your child if you feel this is something they might be struggling with. You can find Laura hanging out daily on instagram @TheOTB

When I'm working with an individual or couple who just had a baby, one of the first things I ask about is...SLEEP! Not the age old question you get from most other people: "how is the baby sleeping?" No, I want to know how YOU are sleeping. Postpartum can be a beast and a big part of that is often the lack of sleep that accompanies having a baby. Getting restorative rest can become even more challenging when navigating feeding. That's why I invited my own lactation consultant, friend and colleague, Robin Kaplan, onto the podcast today! Robin is sharing with us how we can get restorative rest while also honoring our feeding journey with baby. She offers tangible tips and tricks for pumping when you're trying to make sleep a priority. Robin is incredibly supportive and validates the fact that sleep impacts our mental health and how our mental health in turn impacts our children. You can learn more from Robin and access her resources at her Instagram @san_diego_breastfeeding_center! Did you c

In this episode we are talking about postpartum mental health for couples. I am joined by my friend and colleague, Dr. Tracy Dalgleish. Dr. Tracy is a licensed clinical psychologist and couples therapist based in Canada as well the creator of the supportive Instagram account, @dr.tracyd. Dr. Tracy shares with us some signs and symptoms to look for if you or your partner are experiencing anxiety or depression during postpartum and she explains how postpartum anxiety or depression can impact your couple relationship. I share a bit about my personal experience with postpartum anxiety and depression within my partner relationship after our first baby and Dr. Tracy offers some tangible tips and tools for how to reconnect and find each other again amidst the postpartum haze. Did you connect with that episode? The best way to support Holding Space podcast is to subscribe and leave a review! Podcast reviews help us reach those who need it most, and I read each and every one. To connect with Dr. Cassidy or learn more

Today's episode is a little bit different than most here on Holding Space Podcast...in the best way! Today I'm inviting my friends Mallory and Stranz Wolfgramm onto the podcast to talk about their experience preparing for their first child. Mallory is actually a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and creator of the Instagram account @makemarriagework, but as I've shared from my personal experience, being a therapist doesn't actually prepare you for all the challenges that you and your partner can face when becoming parents and experiencing postpartum. Today I'm walking Mallory and her husband Stranz through their concerns and big pain points as they prepare for their first baby. Together we explore: feelings of helplessness as a non-birthing partner, the big emotional challenges, fears and anxiety about labor and delivery, and so much more. At the end of the episode I also pop back onto the episode solo to offer specific tips and resources for couples preparing for birth and postpartum

Today's episode is for the non-birthing partners and those mama's who want to help support their non-birthing partner through the experience of having a baby and becoming a parent! Today I'm excited to share with you my conversation with Eli Weinstein. Eli is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, creator of the Instagram account @eliweinstein_lcsw, and host of the Dude Therapist Podcast. In this episode Eli shares his experience as a first-time postpartum father. He discusses his personal struggles with expectations and bonding in the fourth trimester. Together we explore the important role of the non-birthing partner for the postpartum family and offers tips on how other non-birthing partners can create their own unique bonds with their children. Did you connect with that episode? The best way to support Holding Space podcast is to subscribe and leave a review! Podcast reviews help us reach those who need it most, and I read each and every one. To connect with Dr. Cassidy or learn more about her pri

Let's cut right to the chase, this episode is about PEE, POOP, SEX, and all things pelvic floor after baby! I'll be honest...for my postpartum experience, I had no idea what the pelvic floor even was. That's why in today's episode I have invited on The Vagina Whisperer, Sara Reardon. Sara is a pelvic floor physical therapist and creator of the popular Instagram account @the.vagina.whisperer. Today Sara is helping to demystify the role of the pelvic floor and it's importance in our lives, particularly with pregnancy, birth and postpartum. Sara is walking us through how to care for our pelvic floor through daily activities and exercises. You can follow Sara on Instagram for more tips and access to her resources!  Did you connect with that episode? The best way to support Holding Space podcast is to subscribe and leave a review! Podcast reviews help us reach those who need it most, and I read each and every one. To connect with Dr. Cassidy or learn more about her private practice, visit www.d

In today's episode I am joined by my friend and colleague, Abbey Williams, and we are talking all about divorce, co-parenting, and thriving as a blended family. Abbey is a Licensed Social Worker and the creator of the popular podcast and Instagram account @mimosaswithmoms. Today Abbey is sharing both her own personal experiences with us as well as her professional wisdom on the big feelings that can come up with divorce, co-parenting, and blended families as well as how to ensure you and your partner are putting your child first. Abbey speaks to the challenges that can arise with being a single parent and how to make sure you're getting the support you and your family need. Did you connect with that episode? The best way to support Holding Space podcast is to subscribe and leave a review! Podcast reviews help us reach those who need it most, and I read each and every one. To connect with Dr. Cassidy or learn more about her private practice, visit www.drcassidymft.com. Advertising Inquiries: https://re

Pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care for mamas across the world are NOT created equal. We often just assume that whatever care we get in our area or country is just the norm, but no one knows better than my guest today that this couldn't be further from the truth! Today I am joined by my longtime friend Isobel Benesch. Having experienced birth and postpartum both in the United States and New Zealand, Isobel is sharing with us today the major differences between her experiences and the interviews she has conducted with mamas and experts across the world about differences in perinatal care. We're comparing and contrasting the experiences between countries like the United States and Sweden that have vastly different approaches when it comes to perinatal care. In our conversation we're talking everything from maternity/paternity leave, gender expectations, and how to navigate with your partner the big change of returning to work after maternity/paternity leave. To help you and your partner navigate t

In this episode I am sharing my conversation with psychotherapist, Jessica Vanderwier, the creator of the Instagram account @ourmamavillage. Today Jess is sharing with us how we can teach our children about consent. In this episode Jess shares tangible ways and age-specific tips in which we can teach our kids from an early age about how to honor the boundaries of their bodies and to respect the boundaries of others.  While what we discuss in this episode is incredibly important, I also realize that today's topic might be triggering for some of you depending on your context, comfort-level, and your own history and experiences. If after this episode you find yourself needing a little more personalized support, we have some resources listed below where you can find a therapist in your area: Psychology Today Open Path Collective (if you're looking for a therapist who offers a lower fee) Postpartum Support International Did you connect with that episode? The best way to support Holding Space podcast is to 

Have you ever wondered what it might be like to reach out to a perinatal psychiatrist? In this episode I share my conversation with Dr. Sarah Oreck, a Columbia University-trained psychiatrist focusing on women's mental health. Join us as we chat about options for support and treatment when you’re struggling during pregnancy, after baby and beyond. Together we demystify the process of getting help and dive into both common and unexpected symptoms of postpartum mood and anxiety disorders for BOTH parents. If you'd like to learn more from Dr. Sarah, you can follow her on Instagram at @sarahoreckmd!  Did you connect with that episode? The best way to support Holding Space podcast is to subscribe and leave a review! Podcast reviews help us reach those who need it most, and I read each and every one. To connect with Dr. Cassidy or learn more about her private practice, visit www.drcassidymft.com. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

As we talk about here often on Holding Space, it's not uncommon for our "own stuff" from our past to come up in our parenting journey. Our relationship with food and our relationship with our body is no different. In today's episode I am joined by my friend Crystal Karges. Crystal is a maternal child health specialist, food and body image coach for moms, and lactation consultant. She is passionate about helping moms ditch the diet culture, heal their relationships with food and their bodies and raise children who can trust, honor, and nourish their bodies. In this episode Crystal offers insights into how we can do our own work as parents to heal our relationships with food and our bodies through pregnancy, postpartum and beyond. You can learn more about Crystal at her Instagram, @crystalkarges.  Did you connect with that episode? The best way to support Holding Space podcast is to subscribe and leave a review! Podcast reviews help us reach those who need it most, and I read each and every one.

Oh, the big tantrums...can I speak for all of us when I say it's definitely one of the harder parts of parenting to navigate?  These moments can also bring up old stuff from our own childhoods. When tantrums happen maybe we respond by just doing what our parents did with us, or maybe we're just trying to do the exact opposite of our own parent's parenting styles. Neither can feel like solid direction in how to truly support our kids (and ourselves) when big feelings spill over. Today I am so excited to share with you this conversation with Mr. Chazz. Mr. Chazz is an Educational Specialist who, “teaches teachers to teach” in a chain of Child Development Centers. His vision is to help adults see, guide and build WITH their students and children. In this episode we demystify tantrums and talk about ways in which we can embrace the teaching that can happen within discipline while still feeling connected to our children. You can learn more from Mr. Chazz at his Instagram: @mrchazz In addition you can s

The month of May is Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month! I am incredibly grateful that Dr. Therese Mascardo of @exploring.therapy is joining us on the podcast again for this very important episode that explores and recognizes the pain and resilience of the AAPI community. Dr. Therese is sharing with us some of the unique challenges that the AAPI community has faced over the past year as well as the strengths and resilience of Asian Americans. She also shares with us different resources for and ways to support the AAPI community including: @asiansformentalhealth @asianmentalhealthcollective @i_weigh Ayana Therapy - Therapy for BIPOC Individuals stopasianhate.com Did you connect with that episode? The best way to support Holding Space podcast is to subscribe and leave a review! Podcast reviews help us reach those who need it most, and I read each and every one. To connect with Dr. Cassidy or learn more about her private practice, visit www.drcassidymft.com.   Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.

Do you find yourself being anxious about whether or not your baby is meeting developmental milestones? Maybe you're constantly googling or checking a milestone app to see if your baby is "normal." Or maybe you find yourself comparing your baby's progress to others. When you feel like your baby is falling behind it can be followed by a wave of parent guilt. Trust me, I know...I've been there before! In today's episode I'm joined by pediatric physical therapist Kailee Noland. You may know her as @themovementmama on Instagram! In this conversation Kailee and I are talking about the experience of measuring and tracking milestones as a parent and how that can often lead to comparison and guilt. We validate the fact that there is a range with these milestones and how no baby fits perfectly into a box. Kailee also shares some tangible tips and guidelines for motor milestones. Did you connect with that episode? The best way to support Holding Space podcast is to subscribe and leave a revie