Therapy for the 4 P’s: Pregnant, Postpartum, Parents & Professionals
I’m a licensed clinical psychologist offering virtual therapy across 40+ US states for women and their partners navigating pregnancy, postpartum, parenthood, and the professional juggle.
CAN YOU RELATE?
I work with women and partners who may:
Feel fear at prenatal appointments
Whose bodies don’t feel like their own anymore
Who have a hard time asking for help even when they are overwhelmed
Who are back at work performing competently but experiencing guilt
Who are constantly negotiating with their partners over the mental load of parenthood
Therapy Can Help You Reclaim Your Sense of Identity During Life Transitions
A Safe Space Designed for Your Wellbeing
Your therapy experience should feel calm, consistent, and supportive. I am committed to offering a space where you can explore your thoughts and emotions at a pace that feels right for you.
Virtual Therapy Sessions
Flexible • Private • Accessible
Online therapy gives you the opportunity to heal from the place you feel most at ease. Whether you prefer the comfort of home or need support on a busy schedule, virtual sessions offer an accessible, confidential way to prioritize your mental health.
Hello!
I’m Keri Smotrich, a licensed clinical psychologist with more than a decade of experience helping clients navigate anxiety, self-esteem challenges, identity exploration, and major life transitions.
I work with women and their partners who are doing everything they can to hold it all together—and to make sure no one sees them struggling.
I work with women who are pregnant and terrified of every appointment. Women in the postpartum fog who deeply love their baby but can’t remember the last time they felt like themselves. Mothers who have returned to work and feel guilty no matter what they do, while constantly negotiating who will stay home when their child is sick. And high-achieving women who are used to handling everything, but don’t always feel like they can admit when they’re struggling.
Therapy with me is the one place where you don’t have to have it all figured out. You don’t have to be okay. You don’t have to keep it together.
Groups I Work With
I support clients through a wide range of emotional, relational, and life challenges and transitions. I approach each client with care and exactly where they are at.
01. Pregnant
Maybe you’ve been pregnant before, and things didn’t work out the way you hoped. Now that you’re pregnant again, you may feel anxious about finally becoming pregnant and worried each day about staying pregnant.
You may also be struggling with how your body is changing. You might not feel like yourself, no longer recognize the person you see in the mirror, or have a hard time finding clothes that fit comfortably. You may even worry that your partner isn’t as attracted to you as they once were.
For some women, pregnancy also brings fear around the birth process. You may feel anxious before each prenatal appointment, worry that something will be wrong with a test or ultrasound, or find yourself constantly wondering whether your baby is okay.
These feelings can make pregnancy feel much more stressful than you expected—and you don’t have to navigate them alone.
02. Postpartum
Some thoughts you might be having during this period include:
“I don’t look the way I did before.”
“My body isn’t ‘bouncing back’ the way I expected.”
“I have no energy.”
“I’m having a hard time doing the things I used to do.”
“I love being a mom, but it’s really hard.”
“I want to soak up every moment of my maternity leave, but I also feel like I should be productive.”
“I’m scared about what it will be like when I go back to work.”
“I’m afraid to ask for help.”
“I should be able to do this all on my own.”
“My partner is working all day, so I should be the one getting up at night.”
“I feel guilty asking my partner for help.”
“My partner should sleep.”
“We’re sleeping in different rooms, and I miss feeling close to my spouse.”
“I miss spending quality time with my partner.”
“We haven’t had any time alone together in months.”
03. Parents
Returning to work while being a parent can feel overwhelming and, at times, impossible. You may find yourself worrying, “What if I’m late?” or fearing that your coworkers will think you can’t handle everything. If your child gets sick and you need to take a day off, you might worry that others will see you as unreliable or think you’re not pulling your weight.
You may feel like you should be able to manage everything on your own, even when you’re exhausted and need support. Perhaps you’re the one constantly asking for help, while feeling like your partner doesn’t fully understand the mental load of parenting. You may have a hard time trusting your partner to take on some of the responsibilities you’ve been carrying, even when you know you need a break.
Leaving your child with someone else can also bring up a lot of emotions. You might worry about how your child is doing at daycare, wonder what happens when they’re upset, or feel guilty for being away from them. When your child is sick, you may find yourself constantly negotiating with your partner about who will stay home.
And sometimes, motherhood simply doesn’t feel the way you imagined it would. You can deeply love your children and still struggle with the reality of motherhood. On top of that, having family, friends, or in-laws constantly offering opinions about what you’re doing “right” or “wrong” can leave you feeling judged, overwhelmed, and unsure of yourself.
04.Professionals
You may find yourself thinking, “I’m doing my best, but will people see me differently now that I’m back from maternity leave?” You’re juggling work, parenting, and everything that needs to happen at home, and it can feel like there simply aren’t enough hours in the day.
You may wonder whether you even enjoy your work anymore or whether it feels as meaningful as it once did. It can be difficult to focus when part of your mind is always thinking about your child, what’s happening at home, and everything that still needs to get done.
The financial side can add another layer of stress. You might think, “We’re paying so much for daycare—is it even worth it for me to work?” You may find yourself constantly worrying about finances and trying to figure out what makes the most sense for your family.
If you work shifts, you may feel like you’re missing out on time with your children. And if you work from home, you may have discovered that working virtually while your children are home isn’t as easy—or even possible—as you hoped.
You may also be thinking about what comes next in your career. Perhaps you want to pursue a promotion or consider a new job, but you worry about how that decision could affect your family. You may feel stuck between wanting to grow professionally and wanting to be present for the people you love most.
Starting Our Work Together is Easy
Starting therapy is a calm, guided process so you always know what to expect. Feel free to reach out and book a free 15-minute phone consultation to see if this would be a good fit.
You Don’t Have to Navigate This Alone
If you're ready to begin your healing journey, I’m here to support you every step of the way. You don’t need to have everything figured out — taking the first step is enough.
Professional Licenses:
New Jersey: 35SI00713200
Pennsylvania: PS019643
Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology (APIT) in 43 states by the PSYPACT Commission: 14805