Hannah Smith | Therapist at Connections Child and Family Center

Bio:

Maybe pregnancy or postpartum hasn’t felt the way you thought it would.

I know many of us spend up to nine months dreaming of what life will look like and feel like with our baby. We dream of cozy snuggles, sweet noises, smiles, and immense satisfaction including Baby in the life we already have. But sometimes it's not how we imagined. Sometimes, it's much harder than we prepared for. And as mom, we often want to be the one to figure it out and solve all the challenges to prove to ourselves and to others that we can handle it all on our own.

Maybe your mind doesn't seem to turn off, you find yourself checking the monitor one more time, your Googling symptoms, worrying about something that could happen, or replaying moments from the day wondering if you missed something. You know everyone tells you that babies get sick, sleep is hard, and motherhood is exhausting, but something inside you still feels like you need to stay on high alert.

So, you may feel like you can’t fully relax. Your body is exhausted, but your brain is wide awake. You’re constantly scanning for what could go wrong, thinking through every possible scenario, or feeling responsible for keeping everyone safe. And when people tell you, “That’s just motherhood,” you may start questioning yourself. "Is this normal?" "Why can’t I just enjoy this?" "Something feels off but they all say it seems normal"

I believe in following that gut feeling you have and taking the time to look deeper into what you're experiencing. If something feels off, let's follow that. I’m passionate about walking alongside mothers through all seasons of motherhood, from pregnancy and postpartum to the many transitions that come long after. I especially love supporting moms navigating anxiety, depression, burnout, birth trauma, relationship struggles, perfectionism, and the identity shifts that can come with motherhood.

Therapy can be a place to slow down, make sense of what you’re experiencing, and begin feeling steady again. Together, we can work toward helping you feel more rooted in who you are, gain more confidence in your motherhood, and learn practical tools that actually fit your mom-life. We will look at the whole picture from nutrition, sleep, and hormones, to your relationships, values, and experiences. I also believe that God designed us uniquely for this honorable role, and I enjoy integrating faith into therapy if that is part of your story.

Common does not have to become your normal. And asking for support does not mean that you can't handle it or that you're a bad mom. We are asked to carry and do so much, but that does not mean we were made to do it alone. There is hope for feeling more like yourself again, and hope for a motherhood that feels more steady, connected, and joyful.

If you've been wondering, maybe even grieving, why motherhood hasn't felt how you imagined, or you believe you're experiencing postpartum symptoms, I would be honored to support you, Mama.

Clients I work with: I provide individual and couples counseling with a special passion for supporting women and mothers navigating anxiety, perfectionism, eating disorders, relationship challenges, and the many emotional transitions that come with motherhood. I especially enjoy walking alongside women through the perinatal and postpartum seasons, including birth experiences, burnout, identity shifts, anxiety, and the changes that motherhood can bring to relationships and sense of self.

I also host Rooted in Motherhood, a postpartum support group created to give moms a place to connect, feel understood, and find community in the middle of this beautiful and challenging season. Come get rooted with us! 

Additional Certifications: I participate in continued training and education through Postpartum Support International to offer my mamas the best experience and strategies for motherhood. I am Gottman Level 1 Certified which is the leading relationship approach and helps to navigate relationship conflict by improving communication and connection. I also have education and training in Play Therapy techniques.

Insurance Accepted: BCBS, Aetna, Cigna, Curative.

Resources: Rooted in Motherhood Magazine and More at https://www.desertrosecounseling.com/resources

Hannah Eliese Smith, M.Ed., LPC-Associate, #92761 Supervised by Adrienne Gonzalez, LPC-S, #81495