Parent & Family Wellness Center

Postpartum depression and anxiety affects 1 in 5 moms and 1 in 10 dads and is known to be the most common complication of childbirth. Although depression and anxiety during pregnancy and postpartum can be difficult and unexpected, they are also highly preventable and treatable. ⁣
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Ellie Mortillaro, LPCC, and other PFWC clinicians will facilitate a monthly gathering for parents-to-be to discuss strategies and preparation for a healthy postpartum experience. In this class, we will discuss postpartum emotional challenges (including the spectrum of mood and anxiety disorders), risk factors, warning signs, and ways to think ahead and plan for a healthy postpartum experience to decrease your risk of developing depression and anxiety in the first year with a baby.⁣
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Class held virtually on ZOOM from 3-4:30 PM. This is a free class.⁣
Partners and/or support people are encouraged to attend. ⁣
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Registration required. Link in bio to sign up.⁣
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We’re excited to share an innovative new class that we’re offering: Couples' Code: Cracking the Communication Challenge. ⁣
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Both live class and self-paced class options!⁣
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Along with three 1-hour online class sessions, participants will be granted access to proprietary software that provides detailed feedback on your conversations to help couples take their communication skills to the next level.⁣
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Taught by our Clinical Director, Emily Horowitz LPC PMH-C, this course will help you and your partner strengthen your ability to hold productive conversations. With engaging exercises, meaningful assignments, and access to the conversation-analysis tool for one month following the course, this program will be an important part of your work towards listening, learning, and connecting to one another. For couples who struggle with communication and disagreements--this will help you learn tools to move through those more easily. It will also support couples who are looking to fine-tune their communication skills with one another.
Partnerships of any and all variations are welcome! ⁣
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Please ensure that both partners will attend class (or be able to watch recordings). ⁣
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To register, click link in bio (or scan code).

We are joining ⁣
to celebrate Black Maternal Health Week! ⁣
Join us in supporting ⁣centering Black women’s scholarship, maternity care work, and advocacy.  blackmamasmatter.org/bmhw  ties & conversations aimed at shifting the state of Black Maternal Health in the U.S. ⁣
Learn more: ⁣
blackmamasmatter.org/bmhw⁣
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A few pages to checkout: ⁣

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Are you struggling with pregnancy or the adjustment to parenthood? Are you finding yourself needing to share these challenges in a supportive environment that will offer both comfort and guidance? We can help.⁣
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Please join us online at the weekly PFWC Pregnancy & Parenthood Drop-in Support Group. Each week will focus on a parenting-related theme, with clinicians providing rotating, individualized support in a group context, allowing for folks to have their unique needs addressed while therapists and group members make space for whatever needs attending to, week-by-week.⁣
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Open to all parents and parents-to-be. Non-birthing partners welcome.⁣
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Suggested donation of $20 per session, but no one turned away due to cost.⁣
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Online on Fridays 10-11am MT starting April 12⁣
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𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐢𝐧 𝐛𝐢𝐨 to register (register for each week you plan to attend - registration required 24 hours in advance)⁣
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Reach out to [email protected] with any questions. ⁣
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Positive affirmations may help you accomplish goals, overcome negative thoughts, and boost self-confidence. ⁣
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7-day Challenge: Choose a positive affirmation that feels supportive for you and practice connecting with your chosen words daily for 7 days. You can repeat affirmations aloud in the am, write it down in a journal before bed, place a sticky note on your computer screen...anyway that works best for you. ⁣
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Comment below what your positive affirmation is this week. 🩷

Are you feeling down, this time of year?
Try out these tips for lifting your mood: ⁣
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*Direct Sun Exposure⁣
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*Consume Nutritious Foods⁣
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*Light Therapy- 10,000 lux⁣
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*Psychotherapy⁣
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*Medication- Connect with our Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner to learn more. ⁣
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*Vitamin D Supplementation- Speak with your medical professional to see if this is a good option. You may also connect with PFWC’s Naturopathic Doctor or Chinese Medicine Doctor for nutritional testing and supplementation/nutrition recommendations. ⁣
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*Stay connected- Reach out to those people in your life with whom you feel your best around.⁣
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*Be Active Daily- Small light exercises, as simple as a walk or some jumping jacks and stretching can boost your mood. ⁣
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For more tips, check out our blog article “𝟷𝟶 𝘛𝘪𝘱𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘎𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘛𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘚𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘋𝘦𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯”.⁣
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Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders are the #1 obstetrics complication -- and they far too often go undiagnosed and untreated. ⁣
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Join us on January 10th for a FREE 90-minute virtual training on recognizing PMADs and understanding treatment options. This interactive training is suitable for:⁣
clinic staff (e.g. MAs), ⁣
medical providers working with perinatal patients⁣,
psychotherapists who do not have a perinatal focus. ⁣

Led by Emily Horowitz, LPC, PMH-C, President and Clinical Director of the , this training will help you better support the pregnant and postpartum patients in your practice. ⁣
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Space is limited - 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐢𝐧 𝐛𝐢𝐨 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫
"PMAD 101: What to Know and What to Do" ⁣
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Hope to see you there!⁣
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Postpartum PTSD occurs when people develop PTSD symptoms following their childbirth experience. Research tells us that 9% of birthing people experience postpartum PTSD following childbirth. ⁣
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The good news is that if you're experiencing these symptoms, it is 100% possible to feel well again.⁣
You can check out our blog article to learn more, and contact to connect with support. Link in bio 🩷⁣
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Sleep can be tricky for little ones, especially this time of year. If you and your family need support around sleep, look into working with Jessica, our Infant & Child Sleep Coach. ⁣
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For more info, click link in bio ⁣
"PFWC Services". ⁣
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Sweet Dreams & Happy Holidays!⁣
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5 Steps to Good Sleep Hygiene:⁣
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1. 𝐃𝐚𝐲𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐋𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭- At least 30 minutes of exposure to natural light during the day, ideally early in the day. Live in an overcast place? Try light therapy! ⁣
2. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞- at least 30 minutes of daily moderate aerobic exercise. ⁣
3. 𝐂𝐚𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐌- Caffeine may not completely clear your bloodstream until after 10 hours. ⁣
4. 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐁𝐞𝐝𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐦- Be intentional with your sleep environment. Create a space that is relaxing and peaceful (for example- no visible piles of laundry that need to be done!). Tips- comfortable bed/pillows/bedding, stick with dim/warm lighting, cool temperatures, black-out curtains, and calming scents. ⁣
5. 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐑𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐞- Following the same steps each night can reinforce in your mind that it's time for bed. Create a routine that feels best for you and helps you wind down. (Unplug electronics, brush teeth, put on cozy PJS, dim your lights, light stretching, reading, meditation etc)⁣
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⁣Sweet Dreams!
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Journaling is an evidence-based practice that can be supportive for health and wellness.⁣
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Benefits of Journaling:⁣
*Establish healthy coping skills (🔧in 🧰)⁣
*Reduce Stress⁣
*Manage symptoms of Anxiety, Depression & PTSD⁣
*Deepen Self-Awareness (identify triggers, recognize patterns in behavior, focus energy on specific goal & discover your values, beliefs and core identity). ⁣
*Improve Problem Solving & Decision Making ⁣
*Strengthen Resilience ⁣
*Physical Health benefits (lower blood pressure, improved lung & liver function) ⁣
& many more! ⁣
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Tips for Journaling:⁣
1. Find somewhere peaceful/quiet. ⁣
2. Set a regular time⁣.
3. Goal of 3-4 times a week.⁣
4. Choose a medium that suits you (write on paper, journal app, phone notes, record spoken thoughts, computer document etc.)⁣
5. Start by expressing feelings, allow yourself time to name each one. Then move on to observing thoughts & patterns. ⁣
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Happy journaling! ⁣
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Almost 9 months ago (maybe not a coincidental amount of time!) we shared some thoughts with you about S*x after the transition to parenthood. ⁣
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We’re here to pick up where that conversation left off. Our team has been talking about s*x with each other, with our clients, and with colleagues in the field. And we have lots to say that we think you’ll want to hear. ⁣
Check out the blog for more! ⁣
𝘓𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘪𝘯 𝘣𝘪𝘰⁣
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*xualwellness *xeducation⁣
*xbaby *x

We have started a drop-in parenting skills group and you're invited! ⁣
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These sessions will help you become a more skillful and confident parent. You'll also get to connect with other parents as you find tips and tricks to create more peace in your family life. All groups are run by PFWC clinicians and expert guests.⁣
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Parents with kiddos ages 0-4 are welcome to join as well as folks about to have a child. ⁣
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Tuesdays, 5-6 PM on Zoom⁣
Sliding scale: $5-$35 ⁣
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For more info and to sign up, ⁣
𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘪𝘯 𝘣𝘪𝘰! ⁣

This group is for you if you are a parent who is adding another child into your family's equation (aka the great sibling balancing act!).⁣
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𝘓𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘪𝘯 𝘣𝘪𝘰 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘯 𝘶𝘱!⁣
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Curious if naturopathic support is for you? ⁣
Schedule a 𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄 15-minute phone consult. ⁣
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𝘓𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘪𝘯 𝘣𝘪𝘰 (𝘗𝘍𝘞𝘊 𝘚𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘪𝘤𝘦𝘴)

The leaves are changing here in Colorado. What are your favorite ways to enjoy the fall season? ⁣
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As part of our 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞 at , naturopathic care is a service that provides individualized strategies to support and maintain overall health and well-being for anyone and everyone in the family.⁣
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*𝘮𝘢𝘺 𝘤𝘰𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘰𝘳 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘰𝘭𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘭-𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘧 𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘸𝘳𝘢𝘱-𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵*⁣
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⁣For more info, link in bio! 💙
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The PFWC is proud to offer two incredible free resources to any parent or expectant parent across Colorado!

We believe that all parents deserve to feel well in parenthood and we believe that all family systems benefit from early intervention and support.

We’ve tailored our offerings around these beliefs with a vision that every parent should be connected to support.

Our PMAD prevention class is an opportunity for new or growing families to learn about the unique challenges of the perinatal time period and walk away with tools to prevent significant struggles.

And our perinatal wellness check in is an opportunity for any parent to sit with a clinician and receive individualized education, support, referrals, and a plan for follow- up.

Sign up for these offerings at the link in our bio!

Allow us to reintroduce ourselves!

We are the PFWC.

Our expert team of clinicians and partner providers work together to address your mental and physical health needs.

With a unique specialty in early maternal mental health, we believe that:
~everyone deserves to feel their best
~each and every perinatal mood and anxiety disorder is treatable
~with appropriate support, parents and families thrive.

All family systems are welcome here. You do not need to be a new mom to be supported by our team.

To better reflect the work we do and the people we serve, we’ve changed our name!

The Postpartum Wellness Center is now the Parent & Family Wellness Center 🎉

Offering specialized perinatal and early family wellness support to all parents and families across Colorado- through reproduction, pregnancy, postpartum, and beyond.

Along with this name change comes an expansion of programs, team members, services, and specialties.

Stay tuned to learn more about what we’re doing 👀

When a tragedy happens in a family where a mother is in a mental health crises, we are often left bewildered and scared. How could this happen? Why? It’s important to remember that when a tragedy like the recent one in Duxbury, MA occurs, a mother is not in control of her behavior and though it is hard to understand, still loves her children. Postpartum psychosis is not postpartum depression. It is a state in which a mother is, quite literally, not in control of her brain. When the father of lost children pleads to us to forgive his wife, we need to listen. What is needed here is love.

And to those of you who share with us this role of supporting postpartum mothers and families, let’s remember how important this work is. And, even despite our best efforts, tragedies do happen.

With immense love and respect to all,
Kate Kripke

And just like that, my baby girl is 16. Thank you for being you, . You continue to blow me away with your integrity, kindness, and grace. Thank you for making me a mother and thank you for reminding me, always, to be the best version of myself that I can be. Here’s to a life time of exciting trips around the sun. ❤️☀️❤️

Family hug ❤️

When we talk about self care, we’re not talking about spending a lot of money or resources, or even a lot of time. We’re talking about spending a lot of intention on building yourself up to be the best human you could be. ✨

What’s your go-to form of self care?

Postpartum anxiety that manifests as anger and rage doesn’t mean you’ve done anything wrong, that it’s your fault or that you have to keep feeling this way. You can get support. You don’t have to struggle in silence or shame. You will feel like yourself again mama ❤️

Visit our website (link in bio) to learn about our services.

The last six weeks can be the perfect time to begin to form a habit around grounding techniques. 💙

12 weeks to more patience, energy, creativity, and ability to problem solve. Most importantly, a deeper connection to your kids. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👧

Click the link in bio to reserve your spot!

Our founding director just had her book launch for “Reinventing Supermom” and we can’t wait to read!! 📚

Reinventing Supermom is a guide towards maternal mental wellness for every new mom. Through a collection of short chapters, Kate brings humor, science, accessibility, and validation to new moms as they embark on the journey of parenting. Many of us become overwhelmed and ungrounded as we navigate the incredible joy, confusion, excitement, heartbreak, uncertainty, wonder, anxiety, isolation, and empowerment that comes with mothering, but this guide will act as a life jacket for you as you make your way. 💗

Click the link in bio to get your copy ⬆️

Kate Kripke, PWCB founding director, wrote and published a book titled Reinventing Supermom: Support, Encouragement & Strategies for New mothers Who Feel Lost (available on Amazon and ebook available at www.katekripke.com). Meeka Centimano from flew out from Kansas City to be there for the launch party. Kate and Meeka met through their work with and through their shared mentorship from Karen Kleiman . Colleagues in this field are priceless. This is a friendship that will last lifetimes. 💕