By Krystina Weiss, MS, LMFT, PMH-C
Krystina is a certified perinatal mental health professional who provides therapy for clients of all ages at our Alexandria office and in schools. She works with children, parents, and families using a family systems approach, helping them build on their strengths to create hope, healing, and change.
Krystina earned her Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy from St. Cloud State University, and is passionate about supporting women and families experiencing mental health concerns during pregnancy and the first year postpartum.
What Is Perinatal Mental Health?
Perinatal mental health refers to your emotional and psychological well-being during pregnancy and in the year following childbirth. This period includes not only the postpartum stage but also pregnancy, fertility journeys, and the experience of loss such as miscarriage or stillbirth.
It is a time filled with physical, emotional, and social changes. With all of these changes, it is normal to experience a wide range of emotions. Perinatal mental health support can help when those emotions start to feel too heavy, confusing, or persistent to manage on your own. If you’re pregnant, postpartum, or somewhere in between and feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or unlike yourself, you’re not alone. Many women experience emotional ups and downs during this time, even when everything appears “perfect” on the outside. The truth is that considering therapy is a strong and brave first step. If you’re here reading this, you’re already taking an important step toward caring for yourself and your well-being.
Who Is Perinatal Mental Health Support For?
This kind of support is for anyone navigating the challenges of:
- Pregnancy (whether it’s your first or fifth)
- Postpartum adjustment
- Trying to conceive (TTC)
- Birth trauma
- Pregnancy loss or infant loss
- Parenting transitions
- Past mental health issues resurfacing during this period
You don’t need to have a diagnosis or be in crisis to seek therapy. Whether you’re having panic attacks, feeling emotionally flat, crying more than usual, or just not feeling like yourself—your experience is valid, and you deserve support.
What Can You Expect From Perinatal Therapy?
If you’ve never been to therapy before, it’s completely normal to feel nervous or unsure of what to expect. Here’s a general idea of what the process might look like:
- The first sessions are about getting to know you—your story, your concerns, your goals.
- You’ll have a safe, judgment-free space to talk openly about how you’re really feeling.
- Therapy can include coping tools, education, emotional processing, and a space to process through parenting, relationships, and identity shifts.
- Sessions are tailored to your needs, and we go at your pace.
It’s not about having all the answers, it’s about having a place to feel seen, heard, and supported.
How Does Perinatal Therapy Help?
Therapy during this time can be a lifeline. It can:
- Ease symptoms of anxiety and depression
- Help you manage stress and intrusive thoughts
- Offer support if you’ve experienced birth trauma or pregnancy loss
- Strengthen your bond with your baby
- Help you adjust to your new identity and role as a parent
- Improve communication with your partner or support system
And maybe most importantly—it reminds you that you’re not alone and that what you’re feeling makes sense.
Specialized, Evidence-Based Support
I hold a Perinatal Mental Health Certificate, which means I’m trained to address the emotional, psychological, and physical challenges women face during pregnancy and postpartum. This certification helps me support women experiencing perinatal mood and anxiety disorders using research-based approaches.
I’m also trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), a therapy that helps people heal from trauma. EMDR can be especially beneficial for women processing birth trauma, pregnancy loss, or difficult medical experiences, supporting healing both emotionally and neurologically.
My goal is to provide compassionate, individualized care that honors your experience and helps you move toward relief and resilience.
Common Questions Women Ask
“Is what I’m feeling normal?”
- So many women ask this—and it’s a good question. While mood swings and emotional changes can be part of pregnancy and postpartum, intense or lingering symptoms deserve attention. If you’re not feeling like yourself, therapy can help you make sense of what’s going on.
“Do I need a diagnosis to start therapy?”
- Not at all. If you’re struggling in any way—big or small—that’s reason enough to reach out.
“What if I’m scared to open up?”
- That’s totally understandable. It takes time to build trust, and a good therapist will meet you exactly where you are, with compassion and patience.
“Is it selfish to take time for therapy?”
- Absolutely not. Taking care of your mental health benefits everyone—including your baby, your relationships, and your overall well-being.
Why Early Support Matters
The earlier you reach out, the better. Therapy can help you feel more grounded, supported, and equipped to navigate challenges before they become overwhelming. It’s not about “fixing” you—it’s about giving you space, support, and tools to feel like you again.
If you’re considering perinatal mental health therapy, taking the next step can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. Whether you’re feeling lost, a little off, or simply need a safe place to talk, we’re here to support you. You deserve support!