Kristen Baroni MS LPC PMH-C, Baroni Counseling Services LLC

Some affirmations to end the week 💕
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mamapsychologists 💕

Positive Parenting: Toddlers and Beyond 🩵

I can’t let pass without acknowledging the importance of equal rights for ALL women. Those assigned female at birth or not. I will continue to do my part as a to be an advocate for equal rights and help heal those who have faced injustices and challenges while not receiving equal treatment.

I’m so glad to learn a resource like this exists for our families in need ❤️

I got some great news today! I can now accept Optum insurance, UMR, UHC commercial insurance, and UHC Medicaid! I am in the process of trying to accept more insurances, but I am so excited to see what people I can help while being able to accept these policies!

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🎊 Exciting News 🎊

As of October 26, I am officially a PMH-C!
What does that mean?

That means I have met all of the requirements set forth by to say I have specialized knowledge and training in mental health related to birth and the reproductive process! This includes trying to conceive, loss, fertility challenges, pregnancy, postpartum, and more!
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Find more information about services with me on my Psychology Today profile or my PSI Provider Directory listing 🙂

I love seeing local faces getting in on this initiative ❤️

I’m so excited to share this news from !

In honor of , we have a huge announcement. The Mama Wellness Foundation has launched application to our therapy program.

Since 5pm CST, we are accepting applications for Nurtu, a 10-week therapy cohort-based program for mothers. We’re providing mothers with access to FREE therapy sessions with our partner therapists and peer support on your journey of healing and growth. Because remember, .

🤎 applications are accepted until December 1st.
🤎 First 40 grantees will be notified in December.
🤎 Covers 10-weeks of Therapy, One Community Event, and Three Group Sessions.

Link: https://www.themamawellnessfoundation.org/therapy

Today is , a day to acknowledge and honor all of the babies that have come after a loss. There are no words to express how hard loss can be, especially if a baby. No matter how far along you were, your baby existed and your baby mattered. Be kind to yourself and acknowledge your strength and perseverance today and every day.

Join us for our online Dads Support Group!
Our online groups are here to help you connect with other dads who have newborns up to toddlers. Our groups allow you to talk and listen to other dads as they process their experiences. Whether you are going through stress, feeling overwhelmed as you adjust to parenting, or trying to figure out how best to support your partner, our groups are here for you.You will learn about helpful tools/resources and realize you are not alone.

Learn more and register at http://bit.ly/FindSupportGroup or at the link in our bio!

I recently took the trainings! I have started the process of applying for the test to obtain certification, but I learned so much valuable information. I truly can’t wait to start helping people who are impacted by birth, pregnancy, postpartum, fertility challenges, and so many more areas related to trying to start a family and adjusting to their new family!

With it still being World Breastfeeding Week, I wanted to share something that isn’t talked about much until it’s already happening. That is post weaning depression.
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This can happen after the nursing parent has stopped nursing for whatever reason. They may be ready to wean, or it may have to happen before they are ready. Either way, this is likely for all that choose to nurse.
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Above are some of the symptoms of post weaning depression but there are more including loss of interest in exciting and happy things, difficulty taking care of self or child(ren), thoughts of self-harm, and guilt to name a few. The more rapid the weaning, the more intense any symptoms or signs are more likely to be. The more gradual the weaning, ideally, the less intense the symptoms will be.
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It is believed that estrogen is decreased during lactation and increases once weaning occurs. It is also believed that oxytocin and prolactin can help increase mood and those hormones are produced in more abundance while nursing.
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If these symptoms last for more than a few weeks after weaning, please reach out. Reach out sooner if the symptoms impact you to an intensity where you do not function as you normally do or if you are thinking of self-harm.
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Post weaning depression can be very difficult to navigate, but remember that you are not alone in it.

Today starts and it can come with so many emotions. For many, this week is a time to celebrate their accomplishments with their nursing journey. For others, it can be a time of grief for a journey they never got to experience.
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There are so many reasons that families may not nurse their child(ren). Lack of information, lack of support, medical conditions, body image concerns, perceived shame, social norms, and so many more. It may be one reason, it may be a combination of reasons. No matter what, deciding not to nurse can be difficult for many people.
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The decision of how to feed your child(ren) is an important decision. The nursing parent and any other caretaker in the child’s life should decide what is best both for the child as well as the nursing parent when it comes to the decision of if nursing will be the right fit for your family.
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If you cannot nurse, decide to stop nursing, or decided that nursing was not for you I want to personally tell you that’s okay. And it’s okay to grieve the journey you had to stop abruptly. It’s okay to grieve the journey that did not happen. You are doing the best you can for you and your family. Feel what you feel and know you’re not alone in those feelings. 💕
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Be kind to your mind and body.

Doing your best looks different everyday.
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This is a phrase that hits home for me. It’s one I tell clients and friends often. But also it’s one that I have to constantly tell myself as well. We are so used to comparing ourselves to others that we also compare ourselves to different versions of ourselves. Myself included.
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Remember that your situations and circumstances change daily and if you can do more today than yesterday? That’s valid. If you don’t feel you can do as much today as you did yesterday? That’s valid and okay as well. I’m proud of you regardless, and I hope you’re proud of yourself as well.
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Happy Pride month! I was fortunate enough to experience Pride in Lafayette with my family this past weekend and seeing my community come to support the LGBTQ+ community was truly heart warming.
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I am here to support you no matter how you identify or who you love. In the closet, out of the closet, or somewhere in between you deserve to feel accepted and valued 💗
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Our processes all look different. Sometimes it might look like someone’s process is moving faster than our own. It can be hard to give ourselves the grace to heal at our own pace. That’s something I’m currently reminding myself of as I am going through a period of growth in my life personally.
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Remember that you are valid no matter how long it takes for you to go through your processes ❤️
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It’s mental health awareness month and I wanted to share this little tid bit of information that helps me sometimes. Sometimes the whole task is overwhelming but doing small portions of it can hopefully lower some of that stress. •
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Good morning and happy Friday! We all have a finite amount of energy in our days and sometimes it can be helpful to have a physical representation of that energy. How will you prioritize your spoons today?
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Good morning ☀️
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Remember to give yourself some grace as you prioritize responsibilities in your life. The things that need to get done will still be there after you make sure you take care of what is most important to you!
What are your “glass balls”? Mine are my health and my family as shown in this picture.
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I hope you all have a good and emotionally fulfilling day 💕
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Sometimes we all need a moment.
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Unplugging from our screens and truly being present in the moment sometimes can be truly rejuvenating. Sometimes just taking time to be with yourself can be helpful too. These are words I’m trying to practice as much as I can, even though it doesn’t always happen that way.
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I was talking about this with my groups today, and it is something that I don’t often stop to think about.
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Our mind and our body are so connected 🪢 and it’s a connection that cannot be undone.
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People normally don’t think of mental health when they think of physical health and the same goes for the opposite. Both are equally as important for someone to live a quality and balanced feeling lifestyle.
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I’m curious if you’ve been taught about the connection between mind and body? I’m also curious if you knew these were signs of mental health struggles as well?
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I have some pretty exciting news to announce!
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I recently started supervision to become a registered play therapist! Meaning, l will have more specialized training to work with children!
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I am currently utilizing play in my therapy, however, once I’ve finished this process I will be recognized by the Association for Play Therapy!
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I can’t wait to see what this means for the people in this community and hopefully this means I will be able to be even more helpful. ♥️
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A gentle reminder to everyone as this year closes and the new year begins.
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Holiday seasons can bring about a lot of emotions. Easy emotions, hard emotions, and everything in between. And you know what? They are all okay. Love them and accept them all.

Happy Monday 🧡
A lot of people who have never been in therapy before are kind of confused about the process and rightfully so!
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Therapy is so much more than talking about your problems. Although that’s a big part of it; therapy also allows you to really reflect on yourself and your life and determine how to live the life you want.
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Therapy is somewhere that you can also have what we call unconditional positive regard, also known as, someone who will support you no matter what.
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This process can be intimidating but when you embrace the therapeutic process such great things can happen. 🧡🧡

Happy everyone! Tonight, I’ve decided to relax some after spending the day with friends and family as a way to recharge myself for the upcoming week.
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I’m also using this time to reflect on my own mental health and the role I play in my emotions, which can be hard to really sit with.
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What have you done for your mental health today?
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As I sit here on this Sunday reflecting about the week as I watch my toddler play, this image resonated with me a lot.
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All of us are constantly being pulled in so many directions. Work, family, social life, hobbies, maintaining physical health, the list goes on and on. It’s almost impossible to perfectly juggle all of the tasks and responsibilities we are faced with each day.
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I’m not always the best at it, but I try to remind myself and my clients of this concept constantly.
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We are all people just trying to do our best in this crazy life we live. Remember to show yourself some compassion because you are doing the best you can in any given moment.
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📸 Instagram: kbaroni_plpc

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