“Just where you are - that’s the place to start.” - Pema Chodron

Individual Psychotherapy

A caring, supportive, and safe therapeutic relationship in which you feel comfortable is central to the healing and change possible through psychotherapy. In individual psychotherapy, I provide a mindful, genuine, tuned-in and compassionate presence to our time and work together. Psychotherapy usually begins with getting to know each other and identifying your current struggles and reasons for seeking therapy. We are then able to take active steps towards establishing and meeting specific goals for your individual situation. While entering into psychotherapy, especially for the first time, can feel daunting or anxiety producing, simply making the decision to seek help can also be an extremely relieving and hopeful act - a leap of faith in the possibility of change. Life experiences like pregnancy/birth/parenthood, anxiety or depression, demanding academic programs, striving to find work/life balance, and changes and losses of all kinds can be extremely overwhelming. Please know that you are not alone. And, things will get better.

I would be honored to partner with you in cultivating greater ease and well-being in your life. If you have any questions, or think I might be a good fit as your psychotherapist, please text or call me at 404-445-5145, or email me at emilygosterisli@gmail.com.

Perinatal and Postpartum Support

The process of becoming and being a mother is a major developmental period in a woman’s life. This life passage, called matrescence by research psychologist Aurelie Athan, PhD, spans a potentially long time from pre-conception, to pregnancy and birth, surrogacy or adoption, through the postnatal period and beyond. Matrescence is a journey that changes us. It can be beautiful and hard. Sometimes, the journey gets too rocky and we need extra support. According to Postpartum Support International, this perinatal period can be so overwhelming that about 80% of mothers experience some form of normal “baby blues” in the first few weeks after baby arrives, 1 in 7 mothers experience serious depression or anxiety at some point during the perinatal period, and 1 in 10 fathers* experience postpartum depression.

Parenthood requires a lot of us and life can throw in extra challenges that together create a perfect storm of stress for parents. If parents are feeling high levels of stress and overwhelm, this is a signal that it may be time for professional help. Fortunately, help is available. Public awareness of parents’ needs during this period of life is increasing and communities of informed perinatal providers are growing (including lactation consultants, birth centers, pelvic floor physical therapists, perinatal fitness programs, postpartum support groups, and perinatal mental health providers). Families with perinatal mood disorders, difficult pregnancies and/or births, breast feeding challenges, and parent or child health concerns, for example, have so many more options for getting help than even a decade ago. I offer individual psychotherapy (partners are welcome, as needed), as well as referrals to supplementary services, in order to support women and their families as they navigate the perinatal journey. If you have any questions, or think I might be a good fit as your psychotherapist, please text or call me at 404-445-5145, or email me at emilygosterisli@gmail.com.

*Much of the research is limited by heteronormative bias and more research is needed regarding LGBTQIA family experiences of perinatal and postpartum mood disorders.

Contact

If you are wondering if psychotherapy is right for you, or if I might be helpful to you, please feel free to text or call me for a free phone consultation, at (404) 445-5145. You may also email me at emilygosterisli@gmail.com or use the form below for questions or to set up this consultation. I am happy to discuss your needs, as well as my counseling style and services to help clarify what may best meet your needs at this time. In the case of a life threatening emergency please call 911 or in an urgent crisis refer to my resources page for more immediate assistance. Otherwise, I strive to return messages within 24-48 hours. Thank you.