SHANA AVERBACH, LMFT, PMH-C: Therapy for Women, Moms, & Moms-to-Be in S.F + CA
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Reflections on Becoming (a Certified Perinatal Mental Health Professional)

4/1/2019

 
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Good morning from my kitchen, where there is bright light absorbing, hot tea and pesto pizza consuming, and sweet bits of reflection happening.

Thought I'd share with you. Not the pizza. That's gone. But some thoughts.

This past Saturday I woke up at the crack of dawn and drove across the Bay Bridge to Oakland to sit for an exam. The (positive) outcome (phew!) was being certified as a Perinatal Mental Health Professional (PMH-C, that's me!).

I'm not sure I knew how much this thing mattered to me until I was done. Not passing would have bruised my ego, but work life would have remained the same.

In practical terms it means I've had both fundamental and approved advanced training, at least two years experience, and have passed an exam measuring cumulative and up-to-date knowledge on the subject.

But it's more than that.

As soon as finished and grabbed the quiet space to notice how light my body felt, up floated a montage of memories about this journey.

Sitting at 38 weeks pregnant in an intensive training hearing dozens of voices whispering about the impact of their mothers and thinking, almost as though a commandment: We MUST support the moms. If we are to give them so much power and oftentimes blame, we MUST support the moms.

Hearing the stories of women around me who felt lost, disconnected, traumatized, anxious, disempowered, and sad during their motherhood journey and it not quite making sense to me...yet.


Attempting to piece together the story of my grandmother, hospitalized postpartum at age 19, properly diagnosed at age 82, months before her death. Wishing I knew more directly about her lived experience, filling in the gaps with educated guesses.

Joining this community of providers who are the fiercest, most curious, smart, and supportive group of people I've ever encountered en mass. Helping each other hold the heaviest of experiences, forming a net - with clinicians who were strangers just moments before - to help catch those terrifying feelings of free-fall that Our moms are having. Feeling like I had arrived, truly arrived, in the company of this group.

And every. single, mama who has sat on my couch. Her and her and her and her and her. These souls who felt anything but brave and yet showed up anyway, sharing such difficult private experiences and availing themselves to whatever came next.

Relearning the lifelong lesson that even though there are common and predictable manifestations of anxiety, depression, and trauma, that each mama is different and her uniqueness holds healing wisdom. Watching these mamas soar even when they felt they were merely stumbling (a sincere feat in its own right at times). 


I could go on.

And I realized then that this exam served as a ritual of sorts, one that honored the meaningful experiences leading up to it, and one that instills more confidence for what's to come. 

So anyway, it's now Shana Averbach, LMFT, PMH-C. Thanks for reading :)


Yours in wellness, self-care and compassion,
​
Shana


​

Think I may be the right fit for you or a loved one? Feel free to email me at [email protected] or call 415-963-3546 for a free 20-minute consultation call.

Practice Update: Moving and Expanding

5/26/2013

 
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New Location: 919 Irving Street, Suite 104
I'm excited to announce that I am expanding my practice hours and accepting new clients. I have a new office in the Bay Natural Medicine suite at 919 Irving Street (between 10th and 11th Avenues)! It is  a small, light-filled, serene space with the healing energy of massage, acupuncture, and naturopathic medicine flowing through. 

If you or someone you know have been struggling with difficult emotions, life experiences, and relationships...if you feel stuck, anxious, sad, or unbalanced more often than you would like to...if you struggle with critical or negative thoughts that are so familiar they feel normal, therapy can help. But here's the thing: The only way to start is to start. Making that initial phone call or email contact can be hard, but taking that first step does two things: One, it brings you closer to addressing your needs. Two, it sends the message that your needs deserve to be met in the first place. This is huge.

I continue to be inspired by those who allow me to be part of their exploration, even when it gets difficult, and who are willing to try on different thoughts, beliefs, and tools. 

Speaking of which, thanks for your feedback on the various Wellness Tools and other blogs posts I've been writing. I find that observations and insights are most meaningful when put to use, and it's a real joy when people describe the ways they've been applying them to their lives and sharing them with others (post on paying things forward, coming soon). 

Please let me know if there are any subjects you are particularly interested in, questions about anything you've read, or suggestions for how to make whole person health resources more accessible (comment below or shoot me an email). 

Yours in wellness, self-care, and compassion, 

Shana Averbach, LMFT

919 Irving Street, Suite 104
San Francisco, CA 94122
Tel/Fax 415.963.3546

www.shanaaverbach.com


PS I can't help but sneak in a link to my most recent favorite online yoga video that aligns nicely with the subject of moving and expanding. It's very gentle, good for the end of the day...

    Author

    I wanted to provide a forum for combining therapeutic work with our every day lives, whether through easy to apply tips, de-jargonized information, or my reflections - or at times confessions - as a human being who just so happens to be a therapist. Stay up to date on posts by subscribing below or joining my facebook page.

    This website does not provide medical advice
    . While written by a mental health care provider, the content of this website, such as graphics, images, text and all other materials, is provided for reference and educational purposes only. The content is not meant to be complete or exhaustive or to be applicable to any specific individual's medical condition.

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