PSI offers support, information, and resources to a wide range of specialized populations listed below. We have developed specialized coordinators in response to a growing number of requests from families. Specialized Coordinators work in conjunction with local PSI Support Coordinators to offer support and resources.
Interested in volunteering? We welcome you to fill out this application or email Melissa Bentley to discuss further, if you are interested in offering your specialized understanding and knowledge to a role, experience or condition related to Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders.
Postpartum Psychosis Support Coordinators:
PSI has Support Coordinators to provide support and assistance to women and families of women who are experiencing postpartum psychosis but who do not need emergency support. Please visit our Postpartum Psychosis Help Page for more information.
Adoptive Parents Coordinator:
Bed Rest Coordinator:
209-214-8002 (call or text) | emilylopez.psi@gmail.com
Birth Mothers Coordinator:
Breast- and Body-Feeding Coordinator:
Colic Coordinator:
Dads Coordinator:
Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders are not only experienced by moms, and PSI’s Specialized Coordinator for Dads provides nonclinical support and understanding for fathers who are they themselves struggling. Please visit our Help For Dads Page for more information.
Deaf & Hard of Hearing Parents Coordinator:
As a member of the Deaf and hard of hearing community, it can be incredibly stressful trying to find resources that are deaf-friendly and readily available in sign language. Whether you’re navigating family planning, managing unexpected consequences during the perinatal period, or just needing support, know that you are not alone. PSI has Jess, a specialized coordinator for the Deaf and hard of hearing community who can help you find resources in your area. Jess is a Deaf survivor of Postpartum Psychosis who is here to give deaf and hard of hearing parents loving and non-judgmental support in whatever way that she can. Jess will be happy to set up a Google Meet to chat with you via sign and/or voice with captions.
Jess Pierson
224-801-2256 (text only) | deafperinatalsupport@gmail.com
Fertility Challenges Coordinator:
A diagnosis of infertility is often considered a medical and emotional crisis and is often coupled with the experience of grief and/ or loss. As result, individuals navigating infertility are at an increased risk of experiencing a perinatal mood or anxiety disorder. These symptoms can also accompany a pregnancy or even the care of a newborn after infertility has been resolved. Having support to navigate this unique period can be extremely helpful. No two journeys to parenthood are the same and for this reason, PSI has a support coordinator who has special knowledge and understanding of these circumstances.
Ashley Waclawiak
210-802-8015 (call or text) | ashley@awwellness.com
Grandparents Coordinator:
Some grandparents will experience a recurrence of a Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorder after the birth of her or his grandchild. PSI’s Specialized Coordinator for Grandparents provides understanding and support for grandparents who find themselves struggling.
Jane Honikman
805-967-9757 (call) | 805-252-6226 (text) | jane@janehonikman.com
Hindu Parents Coordinator:
Postpartum mood disorders are experienced across all races, cultures and religious groups. Hindu Parents who are coping with a postpartum mood disorder (such as depression, anxiety, psychosis, etc.) and would like to connect with someone with knowledge and personal experience can feel free to connect with our Specialized Coordinator for Hindu Parents.
Jigyna Patel
Jigyna can assist in English, Hindi & Gujarati
210-920-4490 (call or text) | jpatelpsihouston@gmail.com
Hyperemesis Gravidarum Coordinator:
Pregnancy can come with rather unpleasant symptoms. Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) is a pregnancy complication that is characterized by severe nausea, vomiting, weight loss, and possibly dehydration. This is not simply “bad morning sickness”, but it is all too often minimized or left undiagnosed. Because this is not a common symptom, it can feel isolating and frightening. Talking to someone who has been been there can be very helpful, and our HG Specialized Coordinator is here for that exact purpose.
Lauren Harris
413-626-8958 (call or text) | Lauren@LaurenEHarris.com
Insomnia Coordinator:
Insomnia is often associated with pregnancy and the postpartum period. But sometimes it can become overwhelming. Many individuals find themselves struggling to cope from day to day, We understand severe insomnia is especially distressing, and requires extra support. PSI’s Insomnia Coordinator is here to provide a safe place to talk, and help find a way through the challenges of insomnia.
Sarah Cairo
541-513-4638 (call or text) | sarahcairo@ymail.com
LGBTQIA+ Coordinator:
The term “parents” means so more than a mom and a dad pair. Just as the LGBTQIA+ acronym suggests, there is a wide range of sexual orientations and gender identities that comprise parents who may be struggling with mental health during pregnancy and postpartum. Queer families are at higher risk for perinatal mood struggles for a variety of reasons including: discrimination, stigma, possible issues with their family of origin, conception or adoption complications, denial of parental rights and more. Please visit our Support for Queer Parents page for more information.
Maternal Near Miss Coordinators:
A maternal near miss is an event where a woman nearly dies due to pregnancy or childbirth related complications. The events are often unexpected and may leave the survivor feeling isolated and alone. If you, or a loved one, are a maternal near miss survivor looking for support please reach out to Tomeka or Victoria. You may also request to join the Maternal Near Miss Survivors Support Group on Facebook, which is run by peer support volunteers independently of PSI.
Tomeka Isaac
704-966-7072 (call or text) | Tomeka.psi@gmail.com
Victoria Hampton
204-202-0744 (call or text) | Victoria@maternalnearmiss.org
Military Families Coordinators:
PSI has Support Coordinators to support military families of several branches. Please visit our Support Military Families page for more information.
Muslim Parents Coordinator:
Postpartum mood disorders are experienced across all races, cultures and religious groups. Muslim Parents who are coping with a postpartum mood disorder and would like to connect with someone with knowledge and understanding of their background can feel free to connect with Hajara:
Hajara Kutty
hajux@yahoo.ca
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU):
The experience of having a baby in the NICU can be frightening, isolating and overwhelming. Parents who have a baby in the NICU or are now home after a NICU stay are invited to reach out to our Specialized Coordinator for NICU parents.
Robin Ballentine
864-525-3279 (call or text) | rballentine.ppmd@gmail.com
Robin is on leave until December 13. Please reach out to Melissa Bentley 512-920-3737 or info@melissabentley.net.
Parents of Multiples Coordinator:
From the moment you find out you’re expecting multiples to the day you are juggling newborns in your hands, being a parent of multiples is a unique and overwhelming experience. Stress, worries, and guilt can be amplified when you’re caring for more than one baby, which may increase the risk of a Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorder. PSI’s Specialized Coordinators are here to help. Rebecca and Angelica are twin moms and available to provide knowledge and support.
Rebecca Au
415-651-4599 (call or text) | Rebecca.PSI.POM@gmail.com
Rebecca is on leave until the new year. Please reach out to Angelica Marconi in her absence.
Angelica Marconi
224-707-0206 (call or text) | marconiangelica3@gmail.com
Perineal Tear Coordinator:
The physical recovery from childbirth can be much more difficult than we expected. Birth injuries such as 3rd or 4th degree tears can increase the risk of Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders, and are often suffered in silence due to the embarrassing complications such as fecal incontinence and fistulas. You aren’t alone! Our Specialized Coordinator for Birth Tearing is here to provide support for those who suffered a severe tear during childbirth. You may also join the Facebook community, 4th Degree Tear Support Group, which is run independently of PSI.
Laura Fry
717-417-0003 (call or text) | laura.fry.psi@gmail.com
Laura is on leave.
Post Abortion Coordinators:
Abortion is a common experience – one in four women will choose to terminate a pregnancy and 60% of those are already parenting. Despite abortion being a common experience, it is also very complex. From the stigma surrounding abortion, to the various reasons that can make an abortion decision difficult, we know that nonjudgmental support after abortion is essential. The PSI Post-Abortion Specialized Coordinators offer this nonjudgmental support, as well as assistance in getting you connected to further resources like mental health therapy and peer groups.
Rachel Dyer
971-202-0517 (call or text) | abortion.scc@gmail.com
Lisa Myers
713-471-0808 (call or text) | lisa@wmhhouston.com
Preeclampsia and Long-term Health Complications Coordinator:
Occurring in both pregnant and postpartum women, preeclampsia is a complication of pregnancy that is characterized by high blood pressure. There are also other maternal health complications of pregnancy and delivery that can be more long-term and leave parents with unresolved feelings of anxiety or sadness. If you are going through preeclampsia or long-term health complications, it might help to talk with someone who has also experienced these complications. Our specialized coordinator is here to listen to your unique experience, support you and your support system, and offer resources whenever helpful.
Kim Hawley
816-287-0156 (call or text) | kim.psimissouri@gmail.com
Pregnancy and Infant Loss Coordinator:
PSI has 4 Support Coordinators to support individuals and families who lost a pregnancy or baby. Please visit our Support for Loss & Grief in Pregnancy and Postpartum page for resources, loss-specific support groups and our Pregnancy and Infant Loss Specialized Coordinators’ information.
Pregnancy Termination for Medical Reasons Coordinator:
Many parents face the difficult choice to end a pregnancy due a devastating maternal and fetal diagnosis. Our specialized coordinator provides non-judgmental support to families who experienced termination for medical reasons.
Stefani Huey
864-334-8854 (call or text) | shuey.psi@gmail.com
Stefani is on leave until mid-December.
Hannah Preston
854-900-2193 (call or text) | hpreston.psi@gmail.com
PTSD – Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Coordinator:
History of trauma or a traumatic childbirth can result in or contribute to Perinatal Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (P-PTSD). Parents may have feelings of fear, detachment, panic, anxiety and experience nightmares, poor sleep, and flashbacks. Here at PSI, we have a Specialized Coordinator just for you; ready to listen and help you through this process by finding resources and providing one-to-one listening support.
Laura Taylor
231-714-4489 (call or text) | lauratpsi21@gmail.com
Single/Co-Parent Coordinator:
Many individuals are parenting solo by choice or circumstance. In addition, some parents choose to start this journey later in life with or without support from family/friends. Regardless, it can make navigating Postpartum Mood and Anxiety disorders feel isolating. Our specialized coordinator identifies with and recognizes the various challenges represented in this journey. She is committed to listen, educate and identify resources that help other single parents create stronger support systems during their healing. Every journey is different; you are not alone.
Courtney Williams
816-519-9889 (call or text) | psikansascitycoordinator@gmail.com
South Asian Parents Coordinator:
Postpartum mood disorders are experienced across all races, cultures and religious groups. South Asian Parents who are coping with a postpartum mood disorder (such as depression, anxiety, psychosis, etc.) and would like to connect with someone with knowledge and personal experience can feel free to connect with our Specialized Coordinator for South Asian Parents.
Jigyna Patel
Jigyna can assist in English, Hindi & Gujarati
210-920-4490 (call or text) | jpatelpsihouston@gmail.com
Special Needs Coordinator:
Navigating a medically complicated pregnancy or managing unexpected consequences such as having a newborn with medical complications or special needs, can add strain to what can already be an incredibly stressful period for parents. Logistics of care, medical appointments and unique support needs can create an isolating and overwhelming experience which can increase the risk of experiencing a perinatal mood or anxiety disorder. Rest assured – you are not alone. PSI has a specialized coordinator who has been in your shoes and understands this indescribable experience.
Ashley Waclawiak
210-802-8015 (call or text) | ashley@awwellness.com
Substance Use & Misuse Coordinator:
302-202-6898 (call or text) | nestcounselingandwellness@gmail.com
Teen and Young Adult Moms Coordinator:
Having a baby as a teenager or younger adult can be stressful, lonely and overwhelming. Salina works with teen moms and can provide understanding and support, as well as helpful resources.
Salina Rodriguez
Salina can assist teen mothers and their families in English and Spanish
916-585-3187 (call or text) | SalinaR.PSI@gmail.com
Support to Spanish-Speaking Families:
APOYO DE PSI PARA LAS FAMILIAS HISPANO PARLANTES
1-800-944-4773, #1
Llame al número de teléfono gratuito para obtener recursos, apoyo e información gratuita. Déjenos un mensaje y un voluntario le devolverá la llamada. Podrá encontrar más información y recursos en la página web de PSI. Presione en el botón siguiente.
Call the toll-free Phone line, select #1, for resources, support, and information. Leave us a message, and one of our support volunteers will call you back. We also have Online Resources on the PSI website. Click on website below.
Telephone: 1-800-944-4773, #1 | Website
Support for Arabic Speaking Families
Nadia Abdulla
Nadia provides email and telephone support, and can help you find resources in your country.
Telephone: 004369911941710 | nadoshka2002@hotmail.com