396: Empowered Parenthood: Insights on Preparing for Postpartum with Gayane Aramyan, LMFT

Planning ahead for the postpartum has proven to be a helpful strategy to overcome the challenges and unique dynamics of this transitional time. My expert guest and I dive into this topic in today’s episode. Join us! Gayane Aramyan, LMFT, is based in Los Angeles and specializes in perinatal therapy. She helps women and couples navigate pregnancy, postpartum, and parenthood. She earned her master’s degree in clinical psychology with a marriage and family emphasis from Pepperdine University and has specialized training in anger management, emotion-focused therapy, grief processing, acceptance-commitment therapy, and internal family systems. Gayane has been featured in various well-known publications and is dedicated to supporting clients through life transitions and the challenges of parenthood. In this episode, we discuss relationship and communication challenges and the taboo and stigma of postpartum depression. Gayane shares her personal and professional perspective as an Armenian mother and therapist.  Show Highlights: Gayane’s interest in perinatal mental health—how it blossomed with the birth of her son in 2020 The very real struggle for postpartum moms to just “do the basic stuff” to survive The most important thing Gayane wants people to understand about the postpartum: “It gets better. This is just a phase.” Preparing for the postpartum (Get Gayane’s FREE workbook!) Reconnecting with your partner in the postpartum Most couples do not prioritize their relationship during the postpartum. The importance of having your partner on board (Couples therapy can be helpful!) The stigma around postpartum depression (Prepping ahead of time can help decrease the risk factors.) Gayane’s perspective as an Armenian woman with a different cultural background Gayane’s hopeful message to listeners Resources: Connect with Gayane Aramyan: Website and Instagram Call the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA or visit cdph.ca.gov Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to be more supportive in offering services.  You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today! If you are a California resident looking for a therapist in perinatal mental health, email me about openings for private pay clients! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices