As a therapist, I'm used to helping others navigate their emotional landscapes. Whether it's untangling those intrusive thoughts like "Why is my kid the actual worst today?" or normalizing the ragey outbursts that are quickly followed by guilt and shame — I'm there, holding space, offering support, and reminding my clients that they're not alone.
But here's something you may not expect: I'm not immune to those struggles myself.
Yes, I'm a therapist. Yes, I'm a mom. And yes, I'm a human being who has battled depression and anxiety.
It started long before motherhood
Since high school, I've wrestled with periods of sadness, intense anxiety, and a lot of anger. I often felt like I wasn't "good enough" — in friendships, relationships, or just as a person. I tried working with therapists in the past, but I always found a reason to stop. The follow-through wasn't there. The emotional regulation wasn't there. Honestly, I wasn't ready.
But something shifted when I became a mom.
Suddenly, it wasn't just my life being impacted. My emotional state was affecting my marriage, my connection with my newborn, and my sense of identity. I knew I had to try something.
I started considering medication — and I want to be clear: I'm not anti-medication at all. I think it's a life-changing and necessary tool for many people. But for me personally, I just couldn't make the leap. So I continued to struggle.
Then I found LENS neurofeedback
A couple of years after becoming a mom, I was introduced to LENS neurofeedback while pregnant with my second child. I got trained in it professionally — but more than that, I experienced it personally. And it changed everything.
I finally had access to a tool that helped regulate my nervous system without requiring me to rehash all my trauma or talk through my exhaustion. It was gentle. Non-invasive. And, most importantly, it worked — for both me and my clients.
My second postpartum journey was different
Let me be honest: LENS wasn't a magic fix. I still had hard days. I still felt overwhelmed at times. But compared to my first postpartum experience, the second time around felt like night and day.
- I felt more present.
- I wasn't as easily triggered.
- The rage I had felt so ashamed of before didn't consume me this time.
- And most importantly, I felt connected to my kids — something I deeply struggled with after my first birth.
Why I'm sharing this
I'm sharing this not because I have it all figured out, but because I don't. I'm walking this path alongside the moms I support. I know what it's like to feel like you're falling apart on the inside while trying to hold it together on the outside.
If you're in that place — questioning yourself, battling anxiety or depression, or just feeling off — please know this: you're not alone. There is support. There are tools. And healing is possible, even if it doesn't happen all at once.
LENS neurofeedback isn't the only path, but it was a game-changer for me. And that's why I now offer it in my work with overwhelmed moms and kids — because sometimes talk therapy isn't enough. Sometimes your brain and body need support at a deeper level.