What You Didn't Expect When You Were Expecting
When you're pregnant, so much time and energy is spent on preparing for the baby's arrival. You sign up for the birthing classes to know your options and be familiar with coping mechanisms for the pain. You take the breastfeeding classes that promise it's so natural and easy. You spend a lot of time researching baby items to add to your registry. You talk with your OB about your birth plan and you even hired a doula so you feel extra supported.
But what about you? How are you doing with all the change that's not just happening physically, but also emotionally and existentially? Becoming a mom isn't just something that happens to your body; it changes your identity, your relationships, your priorities and values. We prepare parents as best as we can on how to take care of a baby, but we don't spend enough time taking care of you or preparing for what is about to happen...
Your birth didn't quite go to plan but that's okay, because at the end of the day you and your baby are fine and healthy, right ? Okay sure, your birth experience was scary and maybe a little traumatizing, but you're managing fine now that you're at home!
Except you can't seem to turn off your mind and "sleep when the baby sleeps".
The mental load you are warned about appears out of no where and feels like a ton of bricks while you're also dealing with "mom brain"
You feel so full of rage at your partner, but you can't exactly explain why... just that his body didn't get ripped open giving birth and he seems to be able to sleep just fine!
You're having terrible night sweats that no one told you about and breastfeeding was not as natural as the lactation consultant would have you believe. You are in so much pain from being engorged and leaking milk constantly.
You see your OB at your 6 week check up for 10 minutes and they say you're healing well, but you don't feel like yourself anymore.
Your pediatrician is worried your baby isn't gaining enough weight, so have you thought about triple feeding with pumping and formula?
You're up at 2 AM Googling "Is this normal " while you're up with your baby and wonder "Have I ruined my life ?"
You feel like a failure; like you can't ever get it right.
Your body feels foreign to you.
You're thinking other people have it much harder than you so just be grateful and "this too shall pass ".
If this story sounds familiar, you're not alone. This was my experience postpartum with my daughter. It's why I sought certification in perinatal mental health because I felt like the system failed me as a mother and as a therapist. 1 in 5 women will be diagnosed with PMADs (perinatal mood and anxiety disorders) but 75% of all women with PMAD will go untreated.
Motherhood is full of contradictions. You can love your baby deeply and desperately miss your old life. You can feel grateful and overwhelmed. You can be confident one day and completely unsure the next. You can adore your partner and still be furious with them.
Two things can be true at the same time.
I believe that making room for the beautiful, difficult, messy, contradictory parts of parenthood can help loosen the grip of shame and guilt.
You don't have to convince me that you're grateful enough, patient enough, or enjoying this enough.
You get to be honest.
Threshold Therapy was created with the hope to help mothers find themselves again. This is therapy that feels real. You are safe to be yourself.
Matrescence captures the physical, social, emotional, psychological, spiritual, and relational changes in becoming a mother.
By giving the process of becoming a mother a word, we create a system that is designed to understand and support new mothers. Words create worlds.
What I Specialize In
Postpartum Anxiety & Depression
Perinatal anxiety and depression can feel overwhelming, often showing up as persistent worry, intrusive thoughts, overwhelming sadness, rage, or a sense of disconnection from yourself or your baby. You might feel pressure to “be okay” while quietly struggling, which can make the experience even more isolating. These responses are common and treatable, even if they don’t match what you expected this time to feel like. In therapy, we can gently untangle what you’re carrying, build tools to ease the intensity, and help you feel more like yourself again
What once felt stable can suddenly feel unfamiliar, from your body to your priorities and sense of self. You might notice tension between who you were before and who you’re becoming, along with new emotions that don’t always match expectations. This transition can bring both meaning and disorientation, and it’s okay if it doesn’t feel purely joyful. In therapy, we can make space to understand these changes, reconnect with your sense of self, and integrate this new chapter in a way that feels grounding and authentic.
Identity Shifts
Relationship Changes
Pregnancy and the postpartum period often bring noticeable shifts in relationships, whether with a partner, family, or friends. You might find new tensions around roles, communication, intimacy, or differing expectations, alongside moments of deeper connection. It’s common to feel both closer and more strained at the same time, especially while navigating exhaustion and change. In therapy, we can explore these dynamics, strengthen communication, and help you and your loved ones adjust in ways that feel more supportive and aligned.
Serving Northwest Arkansas
Individual
Our individual therapy sessions are designed to address your specific concerns and help you navigate life's challenges. Through a collaborative and supportive approach, I aim to empower you to overcome obstacles and live a fulfilling life.
Couples
Our couples therapy focuses on enhancing communication, building trust, and strengthening relationships. I provide a neutral and supportive environment for couples to address conflicts, improve intimacy, and foster a deeper connection.I am extensively trained in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy which is the gold standard of couples therapy.
Frequently asked questions
Beginning Your Journey: Appointments
Taking the first step toward support is an act of courage. I’ve designed the process to be as easy as possible, centering your comfort from the very start.
How to Book
You can reach out in the way that feels easiest for you. Submit an inquiry through our secure contact form, email me directly at kat@katkassmanlpc.com, or leave a message at 404-941-4036. I respond to all inquiries within 24 business hours.
Availability
- I offer in person and virtual sessions Monday-Friday from 9 AM - 4 PM
- Telehealth only for residents of Georgia
Your First Visit
Our first meeting is an opportunity for us to connect. We’ll discuss what you’re currently experiencing, relevant personal history, what you hope to gain from therapy, and I’ll answer any questions you have about the process. There is no pressure to have it all together—come exactly as you are.