perinatal mental health Archives

13 04, 2023

Home/ Work for a Reproductive Psychotherapist

By Abigail Burd|2023-04-14T09:54:50-07:00April 13th, 2023|Categories: Blog, Maternal Mental Health, Practice Updates|Tags: clinical hypnosis, perinatal mental health, peripartum mental health, reproductive loss, therapy for postpartum anxiety|0 Comments

I met my friend Catie through the San Diego birth community. Back when I had my little ones and started my private practice focused on perinatal, or reproductive, mental health, Catie was one of San Diego’s most sought after birth photographers. In addition, she was influential in co-leading a local birth network and meet ups of birth professionals.

When Catie shared about her latest project, featuring women working from home, in black and white, with all the tools of their trade, I signed up. When I’m not in one tiny corner of my bedroom for my video sessions with clients from all over California, my private practice office comprises the corner of the playroom/ laundry station/ multi-purpose storage dump-all room.

7 06, 2019

Tips for Preventing Postpartum Depression

By Abigail Burd|2019-11-18T14:30:27-08:00June 7th, 2019|Categories: Blog, Maternal Mental Health|Tags: depression during pregnancy, perinatal mental health, postpartum anxiety, postpartum depression|0 Comments

I have been sharing a little bit on social media about my latest venture, an online course to prevent postpartum depression and anxiety. I haven’t really announced it here yet, but yes, it’s live! The beta testing round filled up quickly after I shared on Instagram and Facebook. Happily, preliminary reviews from the beta testers have been overwhelmingly positive. If you just want to check it out, I made five of the lessons free previews. For those wanting to take the full-course, I recommend buying it soon as the early-bird pricing will go up after the official launch later this summer.

One beta tester shared: “The Skills and Strategy section is so supportive. It left me feeling hopeful and gave me […]

22 02, 2019

Preventing Perinatal Depression [TV News Clip]

By Abigail Burd|2019-11-18T14:30:27-08:00February 22nd, 2019|Categories: Blog, Maternal Mental Health|Tags: depression during pregnancy, fox5, maternal mental health, media, mental health, new mom, perinatal mental health, peripartum mental health, postpartum, postpartum anxiety, postpartum depression, pregnancy, pregnancy resources, press, psychotherapy, san diego therapist, therapy for postpartum depression, tv appearance, video|0 Comments

Here’s some big news for perinatal mental health: a national panel just released a report that depression during pregnancy and postpartum can be PREVENTED with evidenced-based counseling. KSWB-TV brought me back for a sixth time to explain. You can watch a clip here.

Perinatal depression is a big problem

Depression and anxiety during pregnancy and postpartum is a big problem, not just for 1 in 5 women, but for their partners and children as well. We’ve talked before about stigma – that’s the fear of embarrassment that keeps us from telling our friends, “this is tough” or “I’m struggling.” Fortunately, more new parents have been getting real and sharing openly and honestly about their struggles.

Even […]

7 04, 2017

Abigail Burd, LCSW Now Accepts Cigna for Therapy

By Abigail Burd|2019-11-18T14:30:34-08:00April 7th, 2017|Categories: Blog, Practice Updates|Tags: cigna, college students, depression during pregnancy, insurance, maternal mental health, mental health, perinatal mental health, postpartum anxiety, psychotherapy, san diego, san diego psychotherapist, therapy for postpartum depression|0 Comments

I am happy to announce that I am now an “in-network” psychotherapist for Cigna.

What does this mean for YOU?

If you have Cigna for behavioral health insurance, it means that I can now bill Cigna directly for therapy sessions and you only need to pay the copay at the time of service.

If you are a provider in San Diego, please keep me in mind for clients with Cigna needing help. My specialties include addiction, dual diagnosis/co-occurring disorders, and perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, including depression and anxiety. Over the past 20 years I have helped people from all walks of life and enjoy helping college students, other “helping” or “healing” professionals, and new parents navigate transitions.

Schedule an […]

18 02, 2017

Abby Burd, LCSW, San Diego Psychotherapist Talks with New Moms March 3rd

By Abigail Burd|2019-11-18T14:30:35-08:00February 18th, 2017|Categories: Blog, Maternal Mental Health, Mental Wellness, Parenting|Tags: maternal mental health, mental health, mental wellness, new mom, parenting, perinatal mental health, peripartum mental health, positive parenting, post traumatic stress, postpartum, postpartum anxiety, postpartum depression, pregnancy resources, san diego, therapy for postpartum anxiety, therapy for postpartum depression|0 Comments

Catch Abby in a free speaking engagement on March 3rd.

Maiden to Mother Group for New Moms in San Diego

Abby is honored to speak to new moms in San Diego on Friday, March 3rd, at the Maiden to Mother group at Nature’s Whisper. Abby is an LCSW and psychotherapist specializing in maternal mental health, which includes postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety and adjustment to the new role. Years ago, she used to lead this group, which encourages new moms to find support, community and new identity.

The group has continued on robustly, but recently, the facilitator and studio director reached out to Abby. The new moms have LOTS of questions and they are hoping Abby can help ease their anxiety. Some of the things the mamas have asked include:

I think […]

23 06, 2016

Paternal Postpartum Depression [Video Clip – News]

By Abigail Burd|2018-02-28T21:10:33-08:00June 23rd, 2016|Categories: Blog, Maternal Mental Health, Mental Wellness, Parenting|Tags: depression during pregnancy, fox5, maternal mental health, mental health, mental wellness, new fathers, parenting, perinatal mental health, peripartum mental health, san diego therapist, therapy for postpartum depression, tv appearance, video|1 Comment

Yesterday Fox 5 San Diego brought me back for a third time to talk about Depression. This time they wanted to hear more about Paternal Postpartum Depression. They were surprised to know that dads and partners are at risk for PPD, too. Many thanks to co-anchor Shally Zomorodi for helping raise awareness. You can watch the clip below:

Thinking About Getting Help for Paternal Postpartum Depression but Not Sure if You Have the Time?

One thing that I did not get a chance to say was that many parents think it is selfish or self-indulgent to spend time and money on themselves. But numerous studies have shown that fathers’ and mothers’ mental health greatly impact a child’s well-being. In fact parental depression affects emotional and intellectual development and has a lasting […]

11 06, 2016

Postpartum Health Alliance Update

By Abigail Burd|2019-11-18T14:30:36-08:00June 11th, 2016|Categories: Blog, Maternal Mental Health, Postpartum Health Alliance|Tags: perinatal mental health, peripartum mental health, postpartum therapy, san diego|0 Comments

The other night I enjoyed an evening of catching up with the executive board and members of the Postpartum Health Alliance. PHA is a San Diego non-profit that provides resources and support to new families and to the providers and agencies that serve them. The members and volunteers also happen to be lovely and fun people.

Gretchen, who remains the board’s President, surprised me with an award recognizing my year of service as the Communications Chair. Although I am not serving on the board this year, I stay connected as a vetted provider member and volunteer.

I have also enjoyed sharing the privilege of hosting the rotating perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMAD) study group this year. If you are a provider, student, […]

8 09, 2015

Reframing Motherhood: The Photo That Doesn’t Get Posted

By Abigail Burd|2019-11-18T14:30:37-08:00September 8th, 2015|Categories: Blog, Maternal Mental Health|Tags: media, mental health, mental wellness, new mom, perinatal mental health, postpartum, postpartum anxiety, postpartum depression, psychotherapy, therapy for postpartum anxiety, therapy for postpartum depression|0 Comments

New moms don’t put sad pictures up on social media.

I was honored when Katie Contrera, a graduate student in the Science/Medical Writing program at Johns Hopkins University, reached out to me for a therapist’s perspective on Postpartum Depression. Chatting on the phone with her, I loved hearing her passion for reducing stigma around peripartum mental health through her writing. Like me, she was interested in the role of social media and it’s ability to connect us yet make us less social. Katie sent me a copy of her article after turning it in for class. It’s good. And I’m honored that she let me publish it here.

Reframing Motherhood: The photo that doesn’t get posted

By Katie Contrera

It’s Mother’s Day—and you […]

1 03, 2015

How to Get Involved with the Postpartum Health Alliance

By Abigail Burd|2019-11-18T14:30:40-08:00March 1st, 2015|Categories: Blog, Maternal Mental Health, Postpartum Health Alliance|Tags: perinatal mental health, san diego resources|2 Comments

This coming Wednesday the Postpartum Health Alliance is hosting the Annual Meet and Greet at Gordon Biersch in Mission Valley. The happy hour is an opportunity to find out about how to get involved with PHA, chat with current members and meet the 2015 executive board. (Spoiler: Yes, I’m on the board this year.)

As my grandpa used to say, “Food is very unimportant,” (usually while going for a fourth or fifth helping.) The PHA will host heavy appetizers and there will be drinks available for purchase. I’ve also found the company to be friendly, diverse and interesting.

The Postpartum Health Alliance is a San Diego non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness about postpartum emotional disorders and providing support and treatment referrals to women and their families who are struggling with them.

We are a volunteer driven group and help is ALWAYS needed. Here […]

31 10, 2014

Older First Time Moms at Increased Risk of Depression

By Abigail Burd|2019-11-18T14:30:57-08:00October 31st, 2014|Categories: Blog, Maternal Mental Health|Tags: mental health, new mom, perinatal mental health, postpartum, postpartum depression, san diego therapist, therapy for postpartum depression|0 Comments

A recent study showed an increased risk of postpartum depression in women of advanced maternal age. Specifically, first time moms between the ages of 40-44 had statistically higher rates of depression than women ages 30-35.

The MGH Center for Women’s Mental Health reported on the article, which was published last month in a Canadian journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. The researchers did not uncover WHY older mothers are at an increased risk for postpartum depression, but they did have two theories. One, they believe it is possible that first time moms over 40 may have more difficultly during pregnancy and a more difficult adjustment to motherhood. Another possibility is that older moms may feel less […]

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