"Learn why it can be hard to ‘let go’ after an apology. A trauma therapist explains the deeper emotional and nervous system reasons behind lingering hurt and offers practical tips for partners to rebuild trust and safety."

Starting Therapy: What to Expect and How to Get the Most Out of It
New to therapy?

Learn what to expect from your first sessions and how to get the most out of psychotherapy with tips from Metro Counseling and Wellness.

“I don’t even recognize my body anymore.”
It’s a phrase we hear often from clients navigating pregnancy, postpartum, or both. And if you’ve ever thought or said those words—know that you are not alone.

At Metro Counseling and Wellness, we specialize in helping women and birthing parents move through the emotional and mental shifts that come with motherhood—including the complicated relationship with body image.

Let’s talk about what so many are afraid to say out loud:
Pregnancy and postpartum can bring deep gratitude and deep grief for the body you once knew.

Many people hear the word trauma and think of major events—accidents, disasters, or extreme violence. But trauma doesn’t always look dramatic. It can also stem from experiences that felt overwhelming, lonely, or out of your control—especially during deeply personal transitions like pregnancy, childbirth, or postpartum.

If you’ve ever wondered, “Was that trauma?” you’re not alone. At Metro Counseling and Wellness, we specialize in helping women and parents gently explore those questions—and find a path forward rooted in healing, understanding, and hope.

Strengthen Your Relationship While Raising a Family

At Metro Counseling and Wellness, we understand the emotional shifts that occur when two become three (or more!). Many couples find their connection stretched thin after having children—but that doesn’t mean it can’t grow stronger. In fact, with the right tools and guidance, your relationship can deepen during the parenting years.

Whether you're in the thick of sleepless nights, navigating divided responsibilities, or simply looking to feel more connected with your partner, these handpicked books offer encouragement, insight, and practical support.

But don’t stop with just the books—read to the end to see how therapy can further support your journey together.

Bringing home a new baby is often described as a joyful, magical time—and while that can be true, it’s only one part of the story.

For many new parents, especially birthing parents, the postpartum period is a time of profound change: physically, emotionally, and mentally. You might feel raw, tired, overwhelmed, anxious, or like you’ve lost touch with the “you” from before. And you're not alone.

As a therapist specializing in postpartum and maternal mental health, I work with new mothers every day who are navigating the messy, beautiful, and often difficult reality of early parenthood. One thing I often recommend—especially when time is limited—is a supportive book to help you feel seen, grounded, and gently guided back to yourself.

Your self-identity is how you see yourself—your values, personality, roles, beliefs, and preferences. It’s the inner sense of “this is who I am.”

But identity isn’t fixed. It shifts as we learn, unlearn, experience, and evolve. If yours feels unclear right now, it’s not because something is wrong. It’s because you're in the process of becoming.

Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) is a powerful, evidence-based form of psychotherapy that helps individuals process traumatic memories and other emotional issues quickly and effectively—often in just a few sessions. If you're scheduled for your first ART session, you might be feeling curious, hopeful, or even a bit anxious. That’s completely normal.

Emotional abuse in childhood can be subtle yet deeply damaging. Unlike physical abuse, which leaves visible scars, emotional abuse often leaves invisible wounds that shape how we see ourselves, how we relate to others, and how we navigate the world as adults.

Many people who have experienced emotional abuse may not even recognize it as such—especially if it was normalized in their family or culture. But understanding the most common forms of emotional abuse and their long-term effects is a crucial step toward healing.

Becoming a mom is one of the most transformative experiences in life. It’s beautiful, overwhelming, exhausting, and exhilarating—all at once. Between sleepless nights, endless diaper changes, and adjusting to a new identity, your nervous system can feel like it’s in overdrive.

Your body and brain are wired for survival, and in the postpartum period, they are constantly scanning for stressors. If you’ve felt easily overwhelmed, on edge, or emotionally drained, it’s not just in your head—it’s your nervous system doing its best to keep up. The good news? There are simple, science-backed ways to regulate your nervous system so you can find more balance, peace, and presence in your new role as a mom.

Having children is one of life’s greatest joys, but it can also bring significant changes to your relationship with your partner. Between sleepless nights, busy schedules, and shifting priorities, maintaining a strong marital bond often takes a back seat. Fortunately, many insightful books offer guidance, tools, and inspiration for couples to thrive as partners while embracing parenthood. Here’s a roundup of the top books for couples after having kids.

Bringing a baby into the world is a joyful and transformative experience, but it can also bring challenges, especially when it comes to relationships with in-laws. New dynamics emerge as everyone adjusts to their roles as grandparents, parents, and extended family members. These changes can create tension, misunderstandings, or even conflict. However, with clear communication, healthy boundaries, and mutual understanding, managing complex relationships with in-laws can become a more positive experience.

How Childhood Emotional Trauma, Like Being a Parentified Child, Impacts Health, Mental Well-being, and Relationships in Adulthood

Childhood emotional trauma is an experience that deeply affects an individual’s development and often leaves lasting impacts that extend well into adulthood. One such trauma, parentification, occurs when a child is expected to take on the emotional or physical responsibilities of a parent, typically due to a parent's inability to fulfill their role. While many children may demonstrate a certain level of caregiving or responsibility within a family, a truly parentified child takes on responsibilities well beyond their age and maturity, often sacrificing their own needs in the process. The repercussions of this role reversal can be profound, impacting not only mental health but also physical health and relationships.

Navigating Postpartum Depression: A Guide for New Mothers

Bringing a new life into the world is a beautiful and transformative experience, but it can also be overwhelming. For many new mothers, the postpartum period is filled with emotional highs and lows. While some mood swings and exhaustion are expected, others may find themselves facing something more challenging: postpartum depression (PPD).

In this post, we’ll explore postpartum depression with compassion and understanding. By sharing relatable examples and highlighting the differences between the baby blues and PPD, we hope to shed light on this often misunderstood condition and provide support to those who might be struggling.

Intrusive thoughts are common among new mothers, but understanding their prevalence and impact can help in managing them effectively.

Pregnancy and the postpartum period involve significant hormonal changes that can profoundly impact a woman's mood and emotional well-being. Understanding these hormonal shifts can help explain why many women experience mood fluctuations during this time and can also provide insight into managing these changes effectively.