Welcome
You are not alone. I can help!
Welcome!! And thank you for being here.
I’m Susan Marchioni and a Massachusetts Licensed and Certified Perinatal Mental Health Counselor.
I proudly support and treat women who are experiencing the signs and symptoms of a Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorder (PMAD). The term perinatal refers to the time of pregnancy through three years postpartum. PMAD's include anxiety and depression during pregnancy, postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety/OCD, PTSD and postpartum psychosis.
I counsel women who have suffered an infant loss due to miscarriage or stillbirth.
In my work with new and experienced moms, I provide support through the adjustment and transition to motherhood and assist women in navigating and creating their desired work/life balance.
It is my hope that you find some helpful information on the MMHW website that will inspire, encourage, inform and support you to be the mother you have always aspired to be.
I provide individual, telebehavioral health counseling services using HIPAA-compliant telehealth technology.
Pregnancy and childbirth is a deep, intimate, and spiritual event in a woman's life.
As women, we often anticipate and expect our pregnancy and childbirth journey to be a time of great joy, happiness, and bliss. This can be true for some women; however, MANY women do not feel this way right away and for many reasons; feelings of intense fear, isolation, and loneliness, combined with sleep deprivation and a perceived or genuine health concern for mother and/or baby can increase overwhelm; a mother's physical healing, labor and childbirth experience, lack of social support, a family or personal history of anxiety/depression, and an infant's temperament can add another level of distress. The COVID pandemic has intensified and increased these symptoms.
And this can be typical for the first two weeks postpartum. However, if mood symptoms and increased anxiety persist, become worse or more worrisome, (please check out Symptoms and Risk Factors of PMAD's on the Resource page of my website), it may be time to seek professional help.
Has your pregnancy, childbirth and the adjustment to motherhood been more challenging? Are you feeling more fear, anxiety and sadness instead? Does it seem as if the baby blues just won’t go away?
If so, you are not alone. It is estimated that 1 in 5 women will experience a Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorder (PMAD) as a complication of pregnancy and childbirth.
Testimonials
"You helped me claim my life. Not reclaim, no. Claim. Anyone who has birthed a child knows once you bring new life into the world, the life you once knew is over. Unmoored in new motherhood, you helped me to see that letting go of some of my previous life was not a loss, but a benefit. You helped me learn to look forward instead of grasping at what was behind me. I've been able to integrate the important parts of my old life into this new expansive world of family."
∼K
"Susan was so incredibly helpful as I adjusted to having my baby home after a traumatic birth and lengthy hospital stay. I am so grateful that I could bring my infant with me to the appointments, or use Telehealth, to get the help I needed conveniently without having to find a babysitter.
Thank you again for everything!"
∼A
"Sue really helped me process my unexpected birth experience. She also provides a safe and comfortable space to discuss the very real challenges of being a mother and life in general. Thanks!"
∼E
"I can't believe how much I've learned about myself since seeking help with you, and how far I've come since having my son!
Thank you so much!"
∼S
"After working with Susan virtually for only a short period of time, I was able to make great gains during my grief process. Susan was gentle and tender while still attending to all of my concerns. By the end of each session, Susan had helped me realize so much about myself and connect so many dots; I felt like I was discovering new things about myself each time.
Thanks so much!"
∼Y
