Emotional Seasons: Maternal and Reproductive Mental Health
May is Maternal Mental Health Month—a time to shine light on the emotional experiences of mothers and birthing people. But as a clinical psychologist, yoga teacher, and woman who walks these paths myself, I know that maternal mental health doesn’t exist in isolation. It’s part of a much larger story: one that begins in adolescence and continues through menopause. It’s a story of emotional seasons, transitions, and transformation.
That’s why I’m so excited to be returning to The Lodge at Woodloch—a destination spa resort that supports personal awakening and holistic well-being. This weekend, I’ll be leading a fireside chat on women’s mental health throughout the reproductive lifespan, from puberty to menopause as well as co-hosting a Q&A with a board certified OBGYN. These conversations are long overdue, which is why I feel incredibly honored to facilitate in special space.
Why This Conversation Matters
We often treat reproductive health as a series of checkboxes: menstruation, fertility, motherhood, menopause. But each of these phases brings profound emotional shifts—some subtle, some seismic. These transitions can bring with them anxiety, grief, irritability, identity confusion, or even a deeper sense of purpose. The key is to talk about it. To name what’s happening, and to understand that you are not alone along this journey of womanhood.
During our chats this weekend, I will be highlighting how during puberty, we’re navigating identity and emotional turbulence. Woman then move towards the stage of making choices about their reproductive future and motherhood. During this season, we’re managing pressure, joy, loss, and huge life transitions. Finally, we’ll discuss perimenopause and menopause—the majorly under-discussed and under supported time of a woman’s life. At this time, women experience silent shifts that can affect mood, sleep, cognitive and self-esteem.
Each stage offers both challenges and opportunities for growth. When we center mental health—not just physical health—we allow women and birthing people to move through these seasons with more self-awareness, support, and self-compassion.
Sneak Peek of Reproductive Lifespan FAQs:
During my visit to The Lodge, I’ll be co-hosting a Q&A session with board certified OBGYN, Dr Shefali Patel. We will be inviting guests to share their reflections and ask questions about women’s health across the lifespan. This is sure to be a session that leaves women feeling empowered, informed, and connected. In case you can’t make it, I am sharing the most frequently asked questions that come up in my clinical work working with women across the lifespan:
“What psychological symptoms might I experience during perimenopause and how do I distinguish them from other mental health conditions?”
During perimenopause, you might experience mood swings, anxiety, irritability, low mood, or brain fog due to shifting hormone levels. While these symptoms can overlap with other mental health conditions, a key difference is that they often emerge alongside physical changes (like sleep issues or irregular periods) and tend to fluctuate—working with a mental health provider can help clarify what’s hormonal, what’s emotional, and how to feel better.
“What if I didn’t struggle with postpartum depression/anxiety right after I had my baby, but I’m feeling off now?”
Mental health is dynamic and postpartum anxiety and depression can often go undiagnosed and untreated—and many women continue to struggle with mood fluctuations and the transition to motherhood years after birth. On top of this, as children grow and change, mothers must constantly adapt too, which can be emotionally demanding and mentally taxing over time. If you are feeling this way, just know, it’s not “too late” to get help.
“How can I support my teen through puberty and adolescences?”
Strive to be an “askable parent”. Start with curiosity, emotional validation, and open communication. You can model healthy coping skills and commit to using them together or as a family.
Whether you’re navigating puberty with your child, exploring your identity in midlife, grieving what never came to be, or simply trying to reconnect with yourself—this conversation is for you. This weekend, my hope is to create space for shared reflection, informed insight, and a deeper understanding of the emotional threads that weave through womanhood. If you're not attending, I encourage you to do something this month to honor the season you are in and reflect on the journey thus far. Plus, stay tuned—I'll be sharing reflections afterward to keep the conversation going!
If you’re ready to take the next step and want to learn more about how therapy can help, click here to get in touch and we can set up a free fifteen-minute phone call. I am authorized by PSYPACT to meet with patients across most states in the country via tele-health.