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Specialized Support Resources

PSI offers understanding, education, empathy, and resource referrals to parents experiencing a wide range of situations, challenges and roles. In addition to the helpful resources shared below, we have recruited Specialized Coordinators in response to a growing number of requests from families who are eager to connect with someone who truly understands what they are facing.

To connect with one of the Specialized Coordinators below, you are welcome to reach out to them directly, or complete this form, identifying in which Specialized area you could use support, and they will reach out to you within 48 hours.

Connect with a Specialized Coordinator

Interested in joining the team of Specialized Coordinator Volunteers?  We welcome you to fill out this application or email Melissa Bentley to discuss further, if you are interested in offering your specialized understanding and knowledge to a role, experience or condition related to Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders. 

Mood and Anxiety Disorders during the postpartum period are experienced by more than just birthing parents.  Parents who have adopted a baby/child can experience challenges with mood and anxiety as well.  Please visit our Adoptive and Birth Mothers Page for more information.

Some pregnancies present significant challenges, such as bed rest. The experience of bed rest during pregnancy can increase the risk of developing perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, and PSI has a specialized Coordinator to help support those impacted by bed rest during pregnancy.

Emily Lopez
209-214-8002 (call or text) | emilylopez.psi@gmail.com

PSI has a Specialized Coordinator dedicated to birth moms who are having a hard time, either with the birth and relinquishment of their baby or with subsequent pregnancies. Please visit our Adoptive and Birth Mothers Page for more information.

We often hear that breast- and body-feeding is the most natural thing in the world. But the experience is often anything but easy, and can significantly exacerbate anxiety and depression in new parents. Moorea is available to offer support and understanding around the mental health challenges of breast- and body-feeding.

Moorea Malatt
206-591-0621 (call or text) | moorea@savvyparentingsupport.com

As many as 1 in 4 newborns experience severe fussiness and are unable to calm themselves or develop age-appropriate sleep patterns. Sleep deprivation is a real concern for parents of newborns, and extended sleep deprivation increases the likelihood of perinatal mood disorders. Some extremely fussy babies might be diagnosed with “colic” by their pediatrician, but regardless of having a formal diagnosis or not, there is support available. 

Fussy Baby Network is an excellent source of information and support for parents who have a baby with colic.

Stefanie Hudgins
970-614-8104 (call or text) | PSIFussyBaby@gmail.com

Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders are not only experienced by moms, and PSI’s Specialized Coordinator for Dads provides nonclinical support and understanding for fathers who are they themselves struggling. Please visit our Help For Dads Page for more information.

Disabled and neurodivergent parents often experience stigma and have unique challenges and concerns. PSI recognizes that disabled parents have different needs and deserve tailored support and community. Perinatal mood disorders can manifest in different ways and have different triggers for disabled parents. PSI is committed to promoting social justice for disabled families and our Specialized Coordinator is available to support the full range of disabilities and neurodivergence.

Disabled Parenting Project – https://disabledparenting.com/

Sara Stubben
813-402-8313 (call or text) | sarastubben@gmail.com

A diagnosis of infertility is often considered a medical and emotional crisis and is often coupled with the experience of grief and/ or loss. As result, individuals navigating infertility are at an increased risk of experiencing a perinatal mood or anxiety disorder.  These symptoms can also accompany a pregnancy or even the care of a newborn after infertility has been resolved. Having support to navigate this unique period can be extremely helpful.  No two journeys to parenthood are the same and for this reason, PSI has a support coordinators who have special knowledge and understanding of these circumstances.

Hela Gandhi
706-998-2729 (call or text) | hela.gandhi@gmail.com

Orin Whitby
323-332-9698 (call or text) | orinpsi@gmail.com

Some grandparents will experience a recurrence of a Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorder after the birth of her or his grandchild. PSI’s Specialized Coordinator for Grandparents provides understanding and support for grandparents who find themselves struggling.

Jane Honikman
805-967-9757  (call) | 805-252-6226  (text) | jane@janehonikman.com

Postpartum mood disorders are experienced across all races, cultures and religious groups. Hindu Parents who are coping with a postpartum mood disorder (such as depression, anxiety, psychosis, etc.) and would like to connect with someone with knowledge and personal experience can feel free to connect with our Specialized Coordinator for Hindu Parents.

Jigyna Patel
Jigyna can assist in English, Hindi & Gujarati
210-920-4490 (call or text) | jpatelpsihouston@gmail.com

Pregnancy can come with rather unpleasant symptoms. Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) is a pregnancy complication that is characterized by severe nausea, vomiting, weight loss, and possibly dehydration. This is not simply “bad morning sickness”, but it is all too often minimized or left undiagnosed.  Because this is not a common symptom, it can feel isolating and frightening. Talking to someone who has been been there can be very helpful, and our HG Specialized Coordinator is here for that exact purpose.

Lauren Harris
413-626-8958 (call or text) | Lauren@LaurenEHarris.com

Significant changes during pregnancy is a risk factor for the development of Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders. Our Immigrant Coordinator can relate to other immigrant parents who are going through the process of learning a new language, finding friends and adapting to a new environment. She will work to connect them to resources that assist in navigating life in a new country.

Dinara Sultanbikova
Dinara is able to assist help seekers in English and Russian.
571-306-0762 (call or text) | Dinarapsi@gmail.com

Insomnia is often associated with pregnancy and the postpartum period. But sometimes it can become overwhelming. Many individuals find themselves struggling to cope from day to day, We understand severe insomnia is especially distressing, and requires extra support. PSI’s Insomnia Coordinator is here to provide a safe place to talk, and help find a way through the challenges of insomnia.

Sarah Cairo
541-513-4638 (call or text) | sarahcairo@ymail.com

The term “parents” means so much more than a mom and a dad pair. Just as the LGBTQIA+ acronym suggests, there is a wide range of sexual orientations and gender identities that comprise parents who may be struggling with mental health during pregnancy and postpartum. Queer families are at higher risk for perinatal mood struggles for a variety of reasons including: discrimination, stigma, possible issues with their family of origin, conception or adoption complications, denial of parental rights and more.  Please visit our Support for Queer Parents page for more information.

A maternal near miss is an event where a woman nearly dies due to pregnancy or childbirth related complications. The events are often unexpected and may leave the survivor feeling isolated and alone. If you, or a loved one, are a maternal near miss survivor looking for support please reach out to Tomeka or Victoria.  You may also request to join the Maternal Near Miss Survivors Support Group on Facebook, which is run by peer support volunteers independently of PSI.

Tomeka Isaac
704-966-7072 (call or text) | Tomeka.psi@gmail.com

Victoria Hampton
204-202-0744 (call or text) | Victoria@maternalnearmiss.org

PSI has Support Coordinators to support military families of most branches. Please visit our Support Military Families page for more information.

Postpartum mood disorders are experienced across all races, cultures and religious groups. Muslim Parents who are coping with a postpartum mood disorder and would like to connect with someone with knowledge and understanding of their background can feel free to connect with Hajara:

Hajara Kutty
hajux@yahoo.ca

The experience of having a baby in the NICU can be frightening, isolating and overwhelming.  Parents who have a baby in the NICU or are now home after a NICU stay are invited to reach out to our Specialized Coordinator for NICU parents.

Robin Ballentine
864-525-3279 (call or text) | rballentine.ppmd@gmail.com

From the moment you find out you’re expecting multiples to the day you are juggling newborns in your hands, being a parent of multiples is a unique and overwhelming experience.  Stress, worries, and guilt can be amplified when you’re caring for more than one baby, which may increase the risk of a Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorder.  PSI’s Specialized Coordinator is here to help.  Angelica is a twin mom and available to provide knowledge and support.

Angelica Marconi
224-707-0206 (call or text) | marconiangelica3@gmail.com

The physical recovery from childbirth can be much more difficult than we expected. Birth injuries such as 3rd or 4th degree tears can increase the risk of Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders, and are often suffered in silence due to the embarrassing complications such as fecal incontinence and fistulas. You aren’t alone! Our Specialized Coordinator for Birth Tearing is here to provide support for those who suffered a severe tear during childbirth. You may also join the Facebook community, 4th Degree Tear Support Group, which is run independently of PSI.

Laura Fry
Laura is on leave.

Abortion is a common experience – one in four women will choose to terminate a pregnancy and 60% of those are already parenting. Despite abortion being a common experience, it is also very complex. From the stigma surrounding abortion, to the various reasons that can make an abortion decision difficult, we know that nonjudgmental support after abortion is essential. The PSI Post-Abortion Specialized Coordinators offer this nonjudgmental support, as well as assistance in getting you connected to further resources like mental health therapy and peer groups.

All Options

If you are pregnant and unsure how to feel or what to do next, or you want to talk about a past or current experience with abortion, adoption, parenting, infertility or pregnancy loss, you’ve found the right place. Call our All-Options Talkline at 1-888-493-0092 from anywhere in the United States!*

Exhale
Exhale offers a free, national textline that provides emotional support, resources and information. All texts are completely confidential and counselors offer support and respect without judgment. The Exhale textline is available to individuals who have had abortions, and to their partners, friends, allies, and family members.

Rachel Dyer
‪971-202-0517‬ (call or text) | abortion.scc@gmail.com

Lisa Myers
‪713-471-0808‬ (call or text) | lisa@wmhhouston.com

PSI has Support Coordinators to provide support and assistance to women and families of women who are experiencing postpartum psychosis but who do not need emergency support.  Please visit our Postpartum Psychosis Help Page for more information.

Occurring in both pregnant and postpartum women, preeclampsia is a complication of pregnancy that is characterized by high blood pressure. There are also other maternal health complications of pregnancy and delivery that can be more long-term and leave parents with unresolved feelings of anxiety or sadness. If you are going through preeclampsia or long-term health complications, it might help to talk with someone who has also experienced these complications. Our specialized coordinator is here to listen to your unique experience, support you and your support system, and offer resources whenever helpful.

Kim Hawley
816-287-0156 (call or text) | kim.psimissouri@gmail.com

PSI has 4 Support Coordinators to support individuals and families who lost a pregnancy or baby. Please visit our Support for Loss & Grief in Pregnancy and Postpartum page for resources, loss-specific support groups and our Pregnancy and Infant Loss Specialized Coordinators’ information.

Many parents face the difficult choice to end a pregnancy due a devastating maternal and fetal diagnosis. Our specialized coordinator provides non-judgmental support to families who experienced termination for medical reasons.

  • Exhale
    Exhale offers a free, national textline that provides emotional support, resources and information. All texts are completely confidential and counselors offer support and respect without judgment. The Exhale textline is available to individuals who have had abortions, and to their partners, friends, allies, and family members.

Hannah Preston
854-900-2193 (call or text) | hpreston.psi@gmail.com

History of trauma or a traumatic childbirth can result in or contribute to Perinatal Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (P-PTSD). Parents may have feelings of fear, detachment, panic, anxiety and experience nightmares, poor sleep, and flashbacks. Here at PSI, we have a Specialized Coordinator just for you; ready to listen and help you through this process by finding resources and providing one-to-one listening support.

Laura Taylor
231-714-4489 (call or text) | lauratpsi21@gmail.com
Laura is on leave until mid-May.

Lauren Foreman
512-537-5654‬ (call or text) | perimentalhealthhelp@gmail.com

Many individuals are parenting solo by choice or circumstance. In addition, some parents choose to start this journey later in life with or without support from family/friends. Regardless, it can make navigating Postpartum Mood and Anxiety disorders feel isolating. Our specialized coordinator identifies with and recognizes the various challenges represented in this journey. She is committed to listen, educate and identify resources that help other single parents create stronger support systems during their healing. Every journey is different; you are not alone.

Courtney Williams
816-519-9889 (call or text) | psikansascitycoordinator@gmail.com
Courtney is on leave until the end of April. 

Postpartum mood disorders are experienced across all races, cultures and religious groups. South Asian Parents who are coping with a postpartum mood disorder (such as depression, anxiety, psychosis, etc.) and would like to connect with someone with knowledge and personal experience can feel free to connect with our Specialized Coordinator for South Asian Parents.

Jigyna Patel
Jigyna can assist in English, Hindi & Gujarati
210-920-4490 (call or text) | jpatelpsihouston@gmail.com

Navigating a medically complicated pregnancy or managing unexpected consequences such as having a newborn with medical complications or special needs, can add strain to what can already be an incredibly stressful period for parents. Logistics of care, medical appointments and unique support needs can create an isolating and overwhelming experience which can increase the risk of experiencing a perinatal mood or anxiety disorder.  Rest assured – you are not alone. PSI has a specialized coordinator who has been in your shoes and understands this indescribable experience.

PSI is seeking a New Specialized Coordinator for Medically Fragile/Special Needs Babies! Please reach out to Melissa if you are interested in volunteering in this role. coordinators@postpartum.net

Parenting is challenging and many folks use alcohol or other drugs to help them cope with those challenges. We provide non-judgmental support and resources for all parents looking to make changes to their relationship with alcohol or drugs. Whether you are still actively using or are many years into recovery, we can help.
Megan Ellow
302-202-6898 (call or text) | nestcounselingandwellness@gmail.com
Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders are experienced by more than just biological birthing parents. Intended parents (IPs) and gestational surrogates can also experience challenges with mood and anxiety. Often the experience of surrogacy is accompanied by infertility, grief, and/or loss. PSI’s Specialized Coordinator for Surrogacy provides understanding and support for both IPs, as well as, traditional and gestational surrogates.

For The Intended Parent

For The Gestational Carrier (not biologically related to baby)

For The Traditional Surrogate (biologically related to baby)

For young children

Charlotte Ramberg
 678-995-5796 (call or text) | cramberg@postpartum.net

Having a baby as a teenager or younger adult can be stressful, lonely and overwhelming.  Our Specialized Coordinators work with teen moms and can provide understanding and support, as well as helpful resources.

“There are a lot of negative messages out there about teen parents, undermining their ability to parent effectively and pursue their academic and career goals.  When young people receive and internalize these messages, they may become discouraged from seeking their dreams and opportunities.” 

-from the MOASH Expecting and Parenting Youth Inclusivity Toolkit

A guide for adults – service providers, teachers, relatives, and others – about how to make their environments and interactions welcoming and supportive of young parents

Written for teen and young adult parents and the professionals who support them

This resource guide gives state by state information about services you can access for reproductive health care and privacy rights.

Salina Rodriguez
Salina can assist teen mothers and their families in English and Spanish
916-585-3187 (call or text) | SalinaR.PSI@gmail.com

Samantha Palmer
603-558-7464 (call or text) | spalmer.psinh@gmail.com