October 21, 2025 • 36 mins
On today’s episode, we’re sitting down with the truly awe-inspiring, Dr. Nicole Taylor – the Medical Director for PSI’s Psychiatric Consultation Program and an Executive Member at Large for the PSI Board of Directors. We’ll chat about her experience with undiagnosed PPA after becoming a mother, identifying gaps in medical care, and all of the ways she’s supporting folks (including parents & providers) – even if that means INVENTING support that doesn’t yet exist. She quite literally does it all, and yes – we made sure she has time to sleep. It was such a pleasure to record this conversation and we can’t wait for you to hear it. So, without any further ado, please sit back, relax and enjoy this episode with our friend, Dr. Taylor.
Mentioned on today's episode:
- Psych Consultation Program
- Ep. 48 - I AM ONE PSI Resource: Perinatal Psychiatric Consultation Program
- Podcast: Mom and Mind Podcast with Dr. Katayune Kaeni
- TV: Ginny & Georgia - Netflix Drama Series
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Email Dani Giddens - dani@postpartum.net
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Dani (00:00):
Welcome to the I Am One podcast.
On today's episode, we'resitting down with the truly
awe-inspiring Dr.
Nicole Taylor, the medicaldirector for PSI's Psychiatric
Consultation Program, and anexecutive member at large for
the PSI Board of Directors.
We'll chat about her experiencewith undiagnosed postpartum
(00:20):
anxiety after becoming a mother,identifying gaps in medical
care, and all of the ways thatshe's supporting folks,
including parents and providers.
Even if that means inventingsupport that doesn't yet exist.
She quite literally does itall.
And yes, don't worry, we madesure she has time to sleep.
It was such a pleasure torecord this conversation.
(00:42):
So without any further ado,please sit back, relax, and
enjoy this episode with ourfriend Dr.
Taylor.
Dr.
Nicole Taylor, welcome to thepodcast studio! We are
absolutely thrilled to besitting here with you today.
Our listeners don't know, butwe are recording a double
(01:02):
episode today.
One all about you and one abouta very special program.
Dr.
Taylor, you play a very specialrole on PSI's Perinatal
Psychiatric ConsultationProgram, but we're not here–
well, we are going to talk aboutthat today, but this is an
episode where we also get to askyou about your feelings, and
(01:24):
your lived experience, andthings like that.
But we'll talk about bothtoday.
So we are so thrilled thatyou're here and that you agreed
to hang out with us in thepodcast studio for so long
today.
So thank you for being here.
Dr. Taylor (01:35):
You're very welcome.
Thank you for having me.
Emily (01:38):
Okay.
Dr.
Taylor, please introduceyourself to our guests.
Uh, what's your name?
Do you like long walks on thebeach?
What do people need to knowabout you?
Dani (01:49):
What's your zodiac sign?
I'm kidding.
Dr. Taylor (01:53):
Well, I am Dr.
Phyllis Nicole Taylor.
I do go by Nicole, my middlename.
My preferred pronouns are she,her, and hers.
I am a board-certifiedpsychiatrist with expertise in
perinatal mental health, whichmeans that I focus on the
diagnosis and treatment ofmental health conditions during
(02:14):
pregnancy and the postpartumperiod.
I've been practicing psychiatryfor approximately 20 years, and
I started receiving additionaltraining and experience in
perinatal psychiatry in 2014.
I received my PMHC, PerinatalMental Health Certification from
Postpartum SupportInternational in 2018.
(02:36):
I've been married 23 years tomy wonderful husband, and I have
two amazing children, adaughter aged 20, and a son who
is 16 years old.
I currently live inJacksonville, Florida, where I
am employed for the NorthFlorida/South Georgia VA Health
System, and I am affiliated withthe University of Florida.
Dani (02:57):
Wow.
You are a busy woman.
Holy cow.
And now I feel really luckythat we get, you know, over an
hour of your time today.
Thank you so much for tellingus all about that.
I am wondering if you can tellus what role perinatal mental
health disorders played in yourlife personally, professionally.
(03:18):
You mentioned, I mean, I guesson the professional side, you
mentioned that you've been inpsychiatry for 20 years, but it
wasn't until 2014 that youstarted focusing on perinatal
psychiatry, right?
So what role has it playedpersonally and professionally?
Dr. Taylor (03:33):
So I'll talk about personally first.
I experienced some postpartumanxiety around the time of the
birth of my daughter, 20 yearsago.
I had an emergency C-sectionrelated to failure to progress.
I was dilated, but she was justnot moving down the birth
canal.
I evidently have a small pelvisand she has a very big head.
Dani (03:55):
Oh no, that's like not a good combination.
Dang it.
Emily (03:59):
Follow up.
Does she still have a big head?
I'm kidding.
Dr. Taylor (04:02):
Yes, she does.
But anyway, so my bloodpressure was rising, and my
medical team decided that itwould be best to do a C-section
to prevent any furthercomplications.
It was definitely not what Ihad planned for or expected, and
so that led to some anxiety.
(04:22):
A couple of days after beingdischarged home, I began to have
problems breathing.
Dani (04:29):
Oh, wow.
Dr. Taylor (04:30):
And I was rushed back to the hospital, where I
was told that I had pulmonaryedema.
That means too much fluid onyour lungs.
Emily (04:38):
So in the lungs, there's too much fluid.
That's–
Yes, too much fluid in thelungs.
You're not supposed to havefluid in the lungs at all.
Dani (04:45):
Right.
Just air, no fluid.
Emily (04:47):
Yeah.
Dr. Taylor (04:47):
Exactly.
Dani (04:48):
Okay.
Dr. Taylor (04:49):
So they explained to me that I had probably received
too much IV fluids while I waswaiting for the C-section and in
the recovery process.
And so the fluid had built upin my lungs and I could not
breathe.
They had to put me on somemedications and I had to stay in
the hospital a couple of days,which meant that I was not with
(05:10):
my precious baby girl.
And that led to more anxiety.
Dani (05:14):
Oh, yeah.
Dr. Taylor (05:16):
Yeah.
And so then when I did get togo home to my baby, I had
problems with breastfeeding,which led to more anxiety.
Emily (05:25):
Great.
Shoot.
Yeah.
So, at the time, despite beingin my last year of psychiatry
training, I did not know that Iwas having a perinatal anxiety
disorder.
Right.
Dr. Taylor (05:42):
I was having panic attacks and I had not
experienced them before.
Dani (05:46):
Oh.
Dr. Taylor (05:46):
But I didn't know what to do about it.
At the time, I didn't seek anyhelp.
I kind of pushed through itbecause I didn't know about PSI
back then.
Right.
It was only after I attended myfirst training conference with
PSI in 2013, which is almostnine years later, that I fully
(06:08):
understood what I had beenexperiencing and that there was
help out there for me.
Emily (06:13):
Wow.
Dani (06:14):
Yeah.
Dr. Taylor (06:14):
So that's the personal story.
Dani (06:16):
So when you were having, like, panic attacks, did you
mention that to a doctor, likeat any check-ins or anything
like that, or?
Dr. Taylor (06:25):
Yeah.
So I did.
I told my OB, I told thepediatrician, and they were
like, oh, well, you're a doctor.
You'll be okay.
You're in psychiatry.
Dani (06:36):
Oh no.
Don't you know what this is?
You know a panic attack can'tkill you.
So- and that's true.
I did know that, but knowingand experiencing are two very
different things.
Oh yeah.
Dr. Taylor (06:53):
And so thankfully I had the support of my family and
I had friends, and you know, Iknew some ways that I would
manage other people's anxiety.
Dani (07:02):
Right.
Dr. Taylor (07:03):
So I used some of those skills on myself.
But um, I think because peoplethought that, hey, she's a
doctor or going to be a doctor,that somehow I was immune to
having a serious condition thatwas affecting me
psychiatrically, emotionally,and physically.
Dani (07:24):
Mm-hmm.
Emily (07:24):
Right.
Dani (07:25):
Yeah.
I mean, there's a differencebetween knowing something and
feeling something.
And when you're on the feelingside, it's kind of hard to know
what to do.
I mean, we've talked to lots ofproviders who supported folks
in the perinatal period.
And then, you know, when theyexperienced postpartum
depression, or anxiety, or OCD,it was really hard to kind of
(07:48):
tell what was going on at first,and then come up with a game
plan, and have had, also,feelings of like, wait a second,
I'm the professional here.
I should know what to do.
But you got- it's interestingto hear that you got that
feedback, but you're aprofessional, you should know.
You should know what to do,you're a provider! You should
know the game plan.
Dr. Taylor (08:07):
Yeah.
So that kind of leads into howI got involved with this field.
Emily (08:12):
Yeah.
Dr. Taylor (08:13):
After experiencing that, um, obviously my spidey
senses were on.
You know, that hey, maybe I'mnot the only one that goes
through this.
Dani (08:23):
Yeah.
Dr. Taylor (08:24):
So I'd like to tell you a little bit about how I
first heard about PSI, and thenhow that works into my
professional part ofall of this.
Okay.
So I had experienced that, ofcourse, with my daughter, and I
was doing some generalpsychiatry, you know, along the
way.
And I began working withfamilies that were experiencing
(08:46):
perinatal mood and anxietydisorders around the end of
2013.
I still to this very dayremember my first perinatal
patient.
She came into my office.
It was a young woman.
She came into my office at theuniversity, I was working in the
outpatient psychiatry clinic.
(09:07):
And she was just in tears, Imean, just inconsolable tears.
To the point that, at first, Icouldn't even figure out why she
was there.
Dani (09:16):
Oh.
So she was just out in thelobby just crying.
And they were like, hey, Dr.
Taylor, uh...
Help.
Help!
Dr. Taylor (09:23):
Can you help me here?
So I went out there and gother.
And, you know, after she kindof calmed down and I made her
feel more comfortable, she toldme that she had a history of
bipolar disorder and that shehad been stable on medications
with another psychiatrist in thecommunity for a few years.
She found out that she waspregnant, and that doctor told
(09:46):
her to stop all of hermedications, just cold turkey.
Dani (09:49):
Uh-oh.
Dr. Taylor (09:50):
He told her that her baby was going to be quote,
messed up because she had taken,quote, dangerous medications
while she was pregnant.
And didn't she know that sheshould not have gotten pregnant
on those medications?
Dani (10:05):
Oh, wow.
Dr. Taylor (10:06):
So, of course, this is a doctor that she had
trusted, that she had been withfor a long time, who basically
said, don't come back to meuntil you're not pregnant again.
Dani (10:16):
Oh my goodness.
Dr. Taylor (10:17):
Yeah.
Just let that sink in for aminute.
She was absolutely devastated.
Emily (10:23):
Yeah.
And when she shared the storywith me, I was horrified.
We were both in tears at thatpoint.
Because I could not believethat something so terrible could
happen to someone, especiallyknowing what I had experienced.
Right.
Dr. Taylor (10:40):
I could only imagine how much more difficult it
would be for someone who wasn'tin the medical profession to
have to go through somethinglike that.
So, she did stop all of hermedications and her mental
health symptoms got much worsevery fast.
And on top of that, she wasworried that she had, quote,
damaged her baby.
(11:00):
So I knew that I had to helpher.
There was just no way I wasletting her walk out of that
room without me finding some wayto help her.
But I also realized that Ineeded help trying to help her.
Emily (11:15):
Yeah.
Dr. Taylor (11:15):
I had not been taught what I needed in training
or had enough experience in myown practice yet to feel
comfortable handling, you know,such a sensitive and complex
situation.
Emily (11:27):
Right.
Dr. Taylor (11:28):
So that's when I found PSI, Postpartum Support
International, on Dr.
Google.
Yes.
Emily (11:35):
Yeah!
You just got on the internetand you were like, well, what do
I do with this?
Dr. Taylor (11:40):
Yes.
So, you know, after I talkedwith her and calmed her down, I
was very honest with her.
I said, this is, you know, thisis a horrible story.
I've got to help you.
I don't know how to help you.
So we're gonna come back nextweek.
We're gonna make sure you'resafe, and you come back next
week.
And I'm gonna have a game planand we're gonna get through
this.
So...
Oh wow.
Emily (12:00):
I got the chills.
Dani (12:01):
Yeah, I know.
I keep getting goosebumps too.
I'm like, trying to stayfocused on the conversation
here.
Dr. Taylor (12:06):
So, during that time, I started doing some
research about treating bipolardisorder and anxiety in
pregnancy.
I found a webinar online thatPSI was hosting, and I attended
that.
Emily (12:19):
Who taught that webinar?
It was um, I'm not sure.
Of course, it was Birdie andsome other people back then, but
I don't remember exactly whowas speaking.
That sounds right.
Dr. Taylor (12:31):
But anyway, I did start doing some research.
Of course, I came up with agame plan, talked to the mom and
her partner, and we agreed thatshe had not done anything to
damage her baby, you know, thatthis was, you know, not her
fault, that we were gonna doeverything we could to help her
be healthy, to help the baby behealthy, to help the family be
(12:53):
healthy.
And so we formed a partnershipand we worked through it
together.
And interestingly, I was withher for about 10 years after
that, through a couple of otherpregnancies.
So it was amazing.
So that's how I got into PSI,and that's how I got into
(13:13):
perinatal mental health.
I went to a live class thatvery year.
Like, I think I saw her inAugust or September, and PSI
happened to me in Orlando, whichis only an hour and a half from
me, like the next month, doingthe Components of Care two-day
class.
So I was sitting there in thefront row.
Dani (13:33):
You were like, clear the calendar, taking notes.
All the information.
And what's ironic is that threeyears later, I was teaching
that class.
Whoa! Oh my gosh.
Dr. Taylor (13:46):
So that is how I got to PSI.
That is how I started workingwith my families.
That's how the professionalside of things started.
Emily (13:55):
Yeah.
And it's only gone up fromhere.
Dr. Taylor (13:58):
Yeah.
Emily (14:00):
It's like, I'm just thinking about every other
episode we've recorded and howevery single volunteer, every
single advocate, becomes thething that– the person that they
needed, like, become theresource in your community that
you needed, become the peersupport that you needed.
And you're like, we need a siteconsult program, right?
(14:22):
I'm gonna be a part of it sothat I could have had someone to
call.
I love it.
Dr. Taylor (14:28):
Yeah.
Dani (14:29):
So could you tell us a little bit about, I mean, you've
touched on it, but we alwaysask how folks are supporting
people in the perinatal periodnow.
So you've mentioned thatyou're, you know, three years
later after taking the class,you're teaching the class.
What else do you do here atPSI?
Can you tell us about that?
Dr. Taylor (14:52):
So, yeah, I've got, um...
Dani (14:54):
Everybody sit down! It's gonna be a minute.
Nicole is busy.
Yeah.
Dr. Taylor (14:58):
Wendy likes to ask me to do things.
Wendy is our president and CEOof PSI and just a wonderful
person.
And she loves to help others,and she likes to get me to help
others.
Dani (15:10):
You like helping others too.
You guys are–
Yeah.
Dr. Taylor (15:14):
So, in my role for PSI, I am the current medical
director and board liaison tothe psychiatric consultation
program.
I'm also a member of theexecutive committee.
I am the member at large, so Isit on the inner board of the
big board.
Dani (15:33):
Ooh.
Got it.
I've been a member of the PSIBoard of Directors since 2022.
My past roles include being thechair of membership and
professional outreach, because Iwant to make sure that people
know about these services.
Yeah.
Yes.
Dr. Taylor (15:53):
I also was a subject matter expert for the PMHC
exam, which means that I helpedto develop the content and write
the questions for the PMHCexam.
Like I said earlier, I receivedmy PMHC in 2018.
So I was one of the very firstpsychiatrists to get the PMHC
(16:14):
certification because I believewe started around September.
That's when I got mycertification.
And I do want to come back andmake sure we talk about the
certification and why that'simportant too.
So remind me of that.
Emily (16:25):
Yes.
Oh, okay.
Also, I've been a member of thePSI Annual Conference
Committee.
So I plan our annualconferences and pick the
speakers and the posters, etc.
And then as I've mentioned, Iam one of the faculty trainers
for PSI.
So I teach the two-dayComponents of Care training,
which is that one that I went toin Orlando that first time.
(16:48):
And I also teach the six-houradvanced course on psychiatric
pharmacology.
So that's like the deep diveinto medications and more severe
illness.
And that's the day three that, like, if you're a
prescriber, that's the one youneed, right?
Dr. Taylor (17:05):
Yes, exactly.
Exactly.
So that's what I do for PSI,but outside of PSI, I'm still
very much engaged in theperinatal world.
I mentioned to you that I workfor the VA here in Jacksonville,
Florida.
I see women veterans forpreconception, pregnancy
counseling, evaluation andmedication management in
(17:26):
pregnancy, postpartum, andbreastfeeding.
I teach psychiatry residentsand medical students about
perinatal mental health throughthe University of Florida.
I am also the women's mentalhealth champion for my VA.
Yes.
So I teach my colleagues.
Dani (17:45):
Dr.
Taylor!
Dr. Taylor (17:48):
So I teach my colleagues about how to
recognize and treat perinatalmental health disorders.
I act as the primary contactfor any concerns regarding
women's mental health.
And I help to develop theprograms and services for women
veterans.
Outside of that, during my freetime, I like to help reduce the
(18:11):
stigma of mental health,particularly perinatal mental
health disorders.
So I volunteered to speak inthe community.
I speak at schools, andchurches, and support groups,
and anybody that is willing tolisten to me basically.
Dani (18:24):
Oh.
That is amazing.
Do people just, if somebody is interested in you
speaking, do they just– Nicole,do you have a secretary?
I mean, I'm just like, okay.
Are we gonna drop her emailaddress in the show notes or are
people gonna flood?
Dr. Taylor (18:38):
I do not have a secretary, but I might need one.
But you can find me onLinkedIn.
That's probably the bestprofessional social platform to
find me on.
And I do get random calls andemails at my job, everywhere
about having to speak, so–
I was just thinking, I know my,you know, friends and family,
(19:00):
and neighbors and acquaintances,like, know that I'm a perinatal
mental health advocate andpeople randomly reach out to me,
but I'm just like, wow.
I bet you're really getting hitup by people.
Emily (19:12):
Right?
Like, do you get stopped in thegrocery store?
Dr. Taylor (19:15):
I do sometimes because I wear my PSI t-shirt
saying you're not alone, andpeople ask me questions and I
will give them a whole lectureabout perinatal mental health.
Dani (19:26):
Actually, you told us a funny story about bumping into
somebody at a, was it a fair orsomething or uh?
Yeah, I was at a seafoodfestival, visiting my daughter
down in South Florida where shegoes to school, and a random
lady just walked up to me andsaid, hey, do you know about
988, which is the veteranscrisis line, suicide prevention
line, et cetera?
(19:46):
Yeah.
And so I told her all the stuffI knew about it and what a
great service it was.
And I said, did you know thatyou could also be connected to
the National Maternal MentalHealth Hotline?
And then I started telling hereverything I knew about
perinatal mental health.
Next thing you knew, Dr.
Taylor and this new friendpulled up a chair.
You know, they were at theirown table.
(20:07):
They were, yeah, don't disturb.
They were gone for three hours,no I'm just kidding.
Dr. Taylor (20:12):
She was doing a podcast and she just happened to
find the one psychiatriststanding in the line for a
lobster roll that wanted to talkabout perinatal mental health.
Dani (20:21):
Isn't it so interesting the people we run into and the
conversations we have?
Oh my goodness.
Dr. Taylor (20:26):
I've been on the news, I've written for the, you
know, some local newspaperarticles and blogs.
But yeah, it's interestingwhere you can spread the word.
Dani (20:35):
Oh yeah.
Are we your first podcast?
Dr. Taylor (20:38):
This is the first official podcast because she had
a podcast, and she just askedme about the 988, but this is my
first, like, interview, a fullinterview.
Dani (20:47):
Oh, well,
Emily (20:48):
Yes!
you've come to a professionalplace here...
Uh, we've been doing thisfor...
two years.
Yeah.
We're gonna ask the hard-hitting questions.
Dani (21:00):
We do.
I had a follow-up question.
Oh, my follow-up question isare you sleeping?
Dr. Taylor (21:05):
Yes.
Very important question.
I believe in self-care.
So I eat, I sleep, I take timeout for myself, because if I
didn't do those things, Iwouldn't be able to take care of
other people.
So yes.
Dani (21:18):
Briefly, in that great, you know, explanation of all the
amazing things that you aredoing to support folks in the
perinatal period and providers,as well.
You mentioned a couple things.
I was wondering if you couldkind of give us a, like, quick
little elevator pitch for whatis the Psych Consult Program
that you've played such anintegral role in creating here
(21:40):
at PSI.
Can you tell us about that?
And then also, I think youwanted to mention PMHC.
Dr. Taylor (21:45):
Yes, yes.
So the Psychiatric ConsultationProgram is a free program for
medical providers who areprescribers and have questions
about mental health care relatedto pregnancy and postpartum.
For instance, a provider, anOBGYN, family practice, midwife,
(22:06):
or apiarian might havequestions about whether medicine
is safe in pregnancy orbreastfeeding.
They may have questions aboutwhether a specific case that
they are taking care of meetsthe criteria for a certain
diagnosis, or they may havequestions about resources that
would be helpful for theirpatients.
(22:28):
So the Perinatal PsychiatricConsultation Program is a group
of experts who are available toshare our knowledge, and our
resources, and our experiencewith other medical providers, to
take care of their patients.
Dani (22:45):
Oh, that is incredible.
So this is like just a freeservice.
If somebody wants to– who'strying to make a complicated
decision to help support apatient– and they're like, okay,
I need to pick somebody else'sbrain.
I'm gonna call and kind ofexplain the situation or, not
call.
Emily (23:03):
Schedule, yeah.
Dani (23:04):
Yeah, schedule an appointment to talk to somebody
and kind of just talk through,like, the best plan.
That's great.
Oh my gosh.
Dr. Taylor (23:12):
Yes.
And if there is a medicalprovider out there who needs to
use our resources, they can goto the website, the PSI website,
postpartum.net, and click onprofessionals, and you will see
the program there.
They can self-schedule aconsultation time with one of
our experts in the field, and weare more than happy to help
(23:33):
support and discuss anyquestions that they may have.
Dani (23:36):
That's incredible.
We'll put a link in the shownotes for folks to find that on
PSI's website.
We've also, earlier today,recorded a very special episode
all about just that program.
So I'll also leave a link inthe show notes to that episode.
If anybody is really interestedin hearing kind of more
in-depth explanation, we ask yousome more specific questions
(23:59):
about the program.
They can listen to that.
It's a quick listen, 15- 20minute episode all about that
program.
So we'll put a link to that inthe show notes, as well.
Dr. Taylor (24:07):
Yes, great, thank you.
Dani (24:09):
Yeah.
Dr. Taylor (24:10):
So I did want to mention about the PMHC, because
a lot of people might not befamiliar with that.
Dani (24:15):
Yeah, what does that stand for?
Emily (24:17):
Says the person with the cert.
Says the person with the cert.
Oh my goodness.
The perinatal mental healthcertification or PMHC recognizes
individuals who have proventheir competency to help moms,
dads, and families experiencingperinatal mood and anxiety
(24:40):
disorders.
So it basically provides astructure for the education and
training, as well as anevaluation, to make sure that
providers are using theevidenced-based information to
provide the best care to thespecial population.
It's been out since 2018, likeI said.
(25:03):
We have hundreds of people thatare certified, and you do not
have to just be a psychiatrist.
We also have therapists andsome other allied health
supportive people who work withperinatal families that receive
the certification.
And you can check out thewebsite for more information
about that.
Dani (25:23):
Exactly.
We'll put a link to that in theshow notes, as well, for
anybody interested in learningmore or getting started on your
training to earn your PMHC.
Emily (25:32):
I mean, I know what our next episode, our next special
episode is gonna have to beabout.
We're gonna have to bringsomeone in here to talk about
PMHC things.
Dani (25:40):
Yeah.
Emily (25:40):
But right now I want to talk to Dr.
Taylor about, um, how she takesher water.
Dani (25:45):
Oh.
Before we hop into thelightning round, is there
anything that you wanted tomention, any questions that we
didn't ask that you wish weasked?
Anything that you want to addbefore we get real, real
personal?
Dr. Taylor (26:01):
No, I think we've covered everything that we
wanted to describe.
Of course, I could talk aboutthis for hours, and days, and
weeks.
So you know, if you want moreinformation, just ask and it
will come, so...
You also mentioned, Dr.
Taylor, the PSI annualconference.
(26:22):
We'll put a link to the shownotes in that.
That's coming up in mid-Julyin 2025 for anybody listening to
it.
But look out for that everyyear.
If folks missed the conferencethis year, it happens every
summer, various locations.
So we'll put a link to thatpart of our website.
We always have informationabout where the annual
conference is taking place.
If you can't make it, you can,I think that you can, can you
(26:46):
register and get access torecordings later also if you if
you're not able to be there inperson, so.
Yes you can. We're going to New Orleans this year.
Dani (26:54):
Oh yeah.
Dr. Taylor (26:55):
Really good time.
So it we would love foreverybody to come out.
Dani (26:59):
We're real excited for that this year.
Yeah.
Well, I think it's time.
Emily, are you ready?
Dr.
Taylor, are you ready?
Emily (27:06):
Oh yeah.
Dani (27:06):
For the lightning round?
Dr. Taylor (27:08):
Yes.
Excited about the lightninground.
Dani (27:12):
All right.
First question.
Besides this podcast, what isyour second favorite podcast if
you were to recommend one tofolks listening?
And it doesn't have to beperinatal mental health related.
It can be, but it doesn't haveto be.
Dr. Taylor (27:25):
Yes.
Well, it is.
Dani (27:26):
Okay.
Dr. Taylor (27:27):
I live and breathe perinatal mental health.
Dani (27:30):
Okay.
Cool.
Dr. Taylor (27:32):
So it is the Mom and Mind podcast with Dr. Kat.
Emily (27:36):
Yes!
She's a very dear friend andhas so much knowledge and
expertise that she shares witheverybody.
So if you have not checked itout, please check out Mom and
Mind with Dr.
Kat.
Dani (27:49):
Oh my gosh, do you know what I saw the other day?
I think it was just this week,that Dr.
Kat has been podcasting fornine years, this week, and, you
know, has over 400 and some oddepisodes.
If you are interested inanything perinatal mental health
related, you will probably findsome sort of specialized topic
(28:11):
on her podcast.
And it was the first podcastthat a friend, a mutual friend
of Emily and I recommended to mewhen I discovered that there
was such a thing as a perinatalmental health advocate, that
there was a whole world outthere where folks, you know,
focus on supporting folks in theperinatal period.
And I wanted to know more.
I was like, what do I read?
(28:32):
What do I listen to?
I had little kids at the time,and so it needed to be, what can
I listen to in my earbuds.
It is incredible because it'sgreat for parents, it's great
for providers.
I wanted to know all thethings.
And just as um, I'll just say,as a non-provider, it was
digestible.
(28:52):
I understood, I understood itand I learned things.
And whether you're a provideror not, you learn things.
Um, so...
well, this just turned into amom and mind podcast promo–
Emily (29:04):
Advertisement.
I know.
It's because we're all fans.
What are you gonna do?
Dani (29:08):
Sponsor us! I'm just kidding.
We love you, Dr.
Kat! Yeah.
Emily (29:14):
Yes.
Oh my gosh.
Dani (29:16):
Great suggestion.
Emily (29:17):
Okay.
Are you currently bingewatching, reading, or listening
to anything really good?
I have gotten so many great,like next thing to watch on
Netflix, or Hulu, or whatever,because of this question.
I love it.
Tell me.
Dr. Taylor (29:33):
I'm currently binge watching Ginny and Georgia.
Emily (29:38):
Oh, God, yes!
It is a series about acomplicated relationship between
a young mother and her teenagedaughter.
There are all kinds of secrets,and murder, and all kinds of
things in there, but it also hasthings about identity and
(29:59):
mental health.
So I am in season two of three,but season four is coming out
this year.
So I'm getting caught up.
Oh, the countdown.
Yeah.
Dani (30:10):
It's really nice, I love starting a new show if there are
a few seasons.
Because, you know what?
The worst thing is, you know,really getting into a show and
there only being one season.
And then you've gotta wait.
Dr. Taylor (30:22):
Exactly.
Dani (30:23):
Remember once upon a time when we only could watch one
episode a week?
Emily (30:27):
Barely.
I mean, no, I do remember.
It was real tough.
Dani (30:30):
And we couldn't run to the bathroom or you'd miss
something.
I mean, it was a whole-
Oh my god.
I've tried to explain this tomy kids.
They just don't understand thethings we went through.
Emily (30:38):
They don't understand.
Dani (30:39):
Anyway, I'm really glad to hear that there are three or
four seasons for you, Dr.
Taylor.
Okay.
Um, do you have a favoriteparenting hack?
Dr. Taylor (30:49):
So I am always looking for some kind of life
hack because, I mean, life isjust hard in general.
Dani (30:55):
Yeah.
Emily (30:56):
Yes!
Dr. Taylor (30:57):
So it took me a while to think of something.
But my parenting hack is: always keep wet ones with you (30:58):
undefined
and a trash bag in your car.
Because life is messy.
And it doesn't matter if yourkid is, like, a baby, a toddler,
or a 20-year-old, you are goingto need the wet ones and a
trash bag.
Dani (31:19):
Okay.
You heard it here first!
Emily (31:22):
The other day, I went to Costco and I needed the wet
ones, because my hands were allsticky.
Dr. Taylor (31:28):
Exactly.
Yeah.
Emily (31:29):
I didn't have it- yep.
Dani (31:31):
Yeah.
Dr. Taylor (31:31):
That's my hack.
Wet ones.
Sponsor us.
Wet ones.
Sponsored by wet ones.
And trash bags.
Any version of wet ones doesn't have to be the name
brand.
Dani (31:42):
Yeah.
Emily (31:43):
Right.
Okay.
What is one way that you willshow yourself some radical love?
Dr. Taylor (31:49):
So you heard me mention earlier that I always
believe in taking care ofmyself.
Okay?
Emily (31:54):
Yes.
So that is, like, part of mydaily plan.
So today, before we evenstarted this process, I took
some time out.
I had my coffee out on thepatio where I could feel the
sun, listen to my wind chimesplaying, watch the water.
And I was just being still andaccepting what the universe was
going to give me today.
(32:15):
So-
Oh my goodness.
Dr. Taylor (32:17):
I started the day out right.
Dani (32:19):
Wait a second.
Are you at the beach?
Dr. Taylor (32:21):
I live right on the river, and I'm about two miles
from the beach, so very close.
Dani (32:26):
Okay.
Emily (32:28):
Yeah.
Dani (32:29):
We need to be where Dr.
Taylor is.
Dr. Taylor (32:31):
You're always welcome.
I have an extra guest room.
Dani (32:33):
Okay! Well...
Emily (32:35):
Road trip!
The pod squad's gonna show upon Dr.
Taylor's doorstep.
She's gonna be like, I've saidtoo much.
I've made a terrible mistake.
No.
That sounds so relaxing, oh.
Yeah.
Dani (32:48):
That is some radical love.
Okay, so the next questionhere.
If you could jump in to alittle time machine and go back
in time to, you know, the periodof time where you were feeling
some anxiety postpartum.
What is one thing that todayyou, wishes that you could say
(33:09):
to pre-recovery you?
Dr. Taylor (33:11):
I would say, Nicole, remember that you are doing the
very best you can with what youhave at this moment.
Everything doesn't have to beperfect.
The goal is to have imperfectprogress.
That's what I would tellmyself.
Give myself some grace.
That's what I would say.
Dani (33:28):
Oh man.
Emily (33:30):
Imperfect progress.
Yes.
Yes.
Dani (33:33):
I'm writing that down, that's why I'm being so quiet
right now.
My goodness.
Yeah, honestly.
Those are such wise words.
I had a sticky note for anumber of- probably three years
on my computer screen, somethingsimilar that my therapist said
to me.
She was like, Dani, just startwith good enough, you know?
Because it is, it's hard toparent an adult and accept that,
(33:54):
you know, like, we don't knowall the things.
And we don't have to do thingsperfectly.
So, oh.
Yeah.
I love that!
Emily (34:01):
All right.
The most important question.
How do you take your water?
Bubbles, no bubbles, flavor, noflavor?
Do you have an emotionalsupport water bottle?
I struggle to stay hydrated.
This is why I ask.
Dr. Taylor (34:14):
That's a very good question.
I do have an emotional supportwater bottle.
I collect turtles, so I have aturtle water bottle.
Dani (34:20):
Oh.
But the answer is with lemon,and cucumber slices, and a sprig
of mint, over ice.
Oh.
Emily (34:27):
Lemon, cucumber, and mint.
Dani (34:29):
And ice.
Dr. Taylor (34:30):
Over ice.
Oh my goodness.
Emily (34:32):
Okay.
That is my favoritecombination.
And so normally when I'msitting out there looking at the
water, if I'm not drinking mycoffee, that's what I got.
Wow.
Okay.
That sounds good.
Dani (34:44):
Well, way to stay hydrated! Dr.
Taylor, if anything hasresonated, I think a lot of
things from today will haveresonated with our listeners.
If folks would like to get ahold of you, I know you
mentioned getting connected withyou on LinkedIn might be the
best way.
Is that the best way that folkscan get in touch with you?
Dr. Taylor (35:02):
Yes, I would say either through PSI with the
Psychiatric ConsultationProgram, if they have questions
about that, or through LinkedInif they have other questions
that may not be related.
Dani (35:15):
Sure.
Okay, we will put your contactinformation in the show notes
for folks who would like to getin touch with you.
This has been so lovely.
Emily, can you take us out?
Emily (35:26):
I would love to.
Okay! Dr.
Nicole Taylor.
Dr. Taylor (35:31):
Yes.
Emily (35:31):
First, thank you so much for sharing your story, for
sharing all the things aboutyour program in our special
episode.
It is such a joy to talk topeople with lived experience.
It's such a joy to talk toexperts.
And you are both.
Dani (35:48):
You are all the things.
Emily (35:49):
You are the ideal double threat in our world.
So thank you so much fortalking to us about all of it.
Dr. Taylor (35:59):
Thank you so much for having me, I really enjoyed
it.
Thank you.
Thanks for tuning in to the IAm One podcast.
Check out today's show noteswhere we'll drop links to all
the important things that wementioned in this episode.
Please consider sharing about IAm One on social media and
following and rating our showwherever it is that you listen
to podcasts.
(36:19):
It only takes a minute of yourtime, and well, that'll help our
collective mission of bringingresources and local support to
folks worldwide.
From everyone here at PSI,thanks again for listening.
Welcome to the I Am One podcast.
On today's episode, we'resitting down with the truly
awe-inspiring Dr.
Nicole Taylor, the medicaldirector for PSI's Psychiatric
Consultation Program, and anexecutive member at large for
the PSI Board of Directors.
We'll chat about her experiencewith undiagnosed postpartum
(00:20):
anxiety after becoming a mother,identifying gaps in medical
care, and all of the ways thatshe's supporting folks,
including parents and providers.
Even if that means inventingsupport that doesn't yet exist.
She quite literally does itall.
And yes, don't worry, we madesure she has time to sleep.
It was such a pleasure torecord this conversation.
(00:42):
So without any further ado,please sit back, relax, and
enjoy this episode with ourfriend Dr.
Taylor.
Dr.
Nicole Taylor, welcome to thepodcast studio! We are
absolutely thrilled to besitting here with you today.
Our listeners don't know, butwe are recording a double
(01:02):
episode today.
One all about you and one abouta very special program.
Dr.
Taylor, you play a very specialrole on PSI's Perinatal
Psychiatric ConsultationProgram, but we're not here–
well, we are going to talk aboutthat today, but this is an
episode where we also get to askyou about your feelings, and
(01:24):
your lived experience, andthings like that.
But we'll talk about bothtoday.
So we are so thrilled thatyou're here and that you agreed
to hang out with us in thepodcast studio for so long
today.
So thank you for being here.
Dr. Taylor (01:35):
You're very welcome.
Thank you for having me.
Emily (01:38):
Okay.
Dr.
Taylor, please introduceyourself to our guests.
Uh, what's your name?
Do you like long walks on thebeach?
What do people need to knowabout you?
Dani (01:49):
What's your zodiac sign?
I'm kidding.
Dr. Taylor (01:53):
Well, I am Dr.
Phyllis Nicole Taylor.
I do go by Nicole, my middlename.
My preferred pronouns are she,her, and hers.
I am a board-certifiedpsychiatrist with expertise in
perinatal mental health, whichmeans that I focus on the
diagnosis and treatment ofmental health conditions during
(02:14):
pregnancy and the postpartumperiod.
I've been practicing psychiatryfor approximately 20 years, and
I started receiving additionaltraining and experience in
perinatal psychiatry in 2014.
I received my PMHC, PerinatalMental Health Certification from
Postpartum SupportInternational in 2018.
(02:36):
I've been married 23 years tomy wonderful husband, and I have
two amazing children, adaughter aged 20, and a son who
is 16 years old.
I currently live inJacksonville, Florida, where I
am employed for the NorthFlorida/South Georgia VA Health
System, and I am affiliated withthe University of Florida.
Dani (02:57):
Wow.
You are a busy woman.
Holy cow.
And now I feel really luckythat we get, you know, over an
hour of your time today.
Thank you so much for tellingus all about that.
I am wondering if you can tellus what role perinatal mental
health disorders played in yourlife personally, professionally.
(03:18):
You mentioned, I mean, I guesson the professional side, you
mentioned that you've been inpsychiatry for 20 years, but it
wasn't until 2014 that youstarted focusing on perinatal
psychiatry, right?
So what role has it playedpersonally and professionally?
Dr. Taylor (03:33):
So I'll talk about personally first.
I experienced some postpartumanxiety around the time of the
birth of my daughter, 20 yearsago.
I had an emergency C-sectionrelated to failure to progress.
I was dilated, but she was justnot moving down the birth
canal.
I evidently have a small pelvisand she has a very big head.
Dani (03:55):
Oh no, that's like not a good combination.
Dang it.
Emily (03:59):
Follow up.
Does she still have a big head?
I'm kidding.
Dr. Taylor (04:02):
Yes, she does.
But anyway, so my bloodpressure was rising, and my
medical team decided that itwould be best to do a C-section
to prevent any furthercomplications.
It was definitely not what Ihad planned for or expected, and
so that led to some anxiety.
(04:22):
A couple of days after beingdischarged home, I began to have
problems breathing.
Dani (04:29):
Oh, wow.
Dr. Taylor (04:30):
And I was rushed back to the hospital, where I
was told that I had pulmonaryedema.
That means too much fluid onyour lungs.
Emily (04:38):
So in the lungs, there's too much fluid.
That's–
Yes, too much fluid in thelungs.
You're not supposed to havefluid in the lungs at all.
Dani (04:45):
Right.
Just air, no fluid.
Emily (04:47):
Yeah.
Dr. Taylor (04:47):
Exactly.
Dani (04:48):
Okay.
Dr. Taylor (04:49):
So they explained to me that I had probably received
too much IV fluids while I waswaiting for the C-section and in
the recovery process.
And so the fluid had built upin my lungs and I could not
breathe.
They had to put me on somemedications and I had to stay in
the hospital a couple of days,which meant that I was not with
(05:10):
my precious baby girl.
And that led to more anxiety.
Dani (05:14):
Oh, yeah.
Dr. Taylor (05:16):
Yeah.
And so then when I did get togo home to my baby, I had
problems with breastfeeding,which led to more anxiety.
Emily (05:25):
Great.
Shoot.
Yeah.
So, at the time, despite beingin my last year of psychiatry
training, I did not know that Iwas having a perinatal anxiety
disorder.
Right.
Dr. Taylor (05:42):
I was having panic attacks and I had not
experienced them before.
Dani (05:46):
Oh.
Dr. Taylor (05:46):
But I didn't know what to do about it.
At the time, I didn't seek anyhelp.
I kind of pushed through itbecause I didn't know about PSI
back then.
Right.
It was only after I attended myfirst training conference with
PSI in 2013, which is almostnine years later, that I fully
(06:08):
understood what I had beenexperiencing and that there was
help out there for me.
Emily (06:13):
Wow.
Dani (06:14):
Yeah.
Dr. Taylor (06:14):
So that's the personal story.
Dani (06:16):
So when you were having, like, panic attacks, did you
mention that to a doctor, likeat any check-ins or anything
like that, or?
Dr. Taylor (06:25):
Yeah.
So I did.
I told my OB, I told thepediatrician, and they were
like, oh, well, you're a doctor.
You'll be okay.
You're in psychiatry.
Dani (06:36):
Oh no.
Don't you know what this is?
You know a panic attack can'tkill you.
So- and that's true.
I did know that, but knowingand experiencing are two very
different things.
Oh yeah.
Dr. Taylor (06:53):
And so thankfully I had the support of my family and
I had friends, and you know, Iknew some ways that I would
manage other people's anxiety.
Dani (07:02):
Right.
Dr. Taylor (07:03):
So I used some of those skills on myself.
But um, I think because peoplethought that, hey, she's a
doctor or going to be a doctor,that somehow I was immune to
having a serious condition thatwas affecting me
psychiatrically, emotionally,and physically.
Dani (07:24):
Mm-hmm.
Emily (07:24):
Right.
Dani (07:25):
Yeah.
I mean, there's a differencebetween knowing something and
feeling something.
And when you're on the feelingside, it's kind of hard to know
what to do.
I mean, we've talked to lots ofproviders who supported folks
in the perinatal period.
And then, you know, when theyexperienced postpartum
depression, or anxiety, or OCD,it was really hard to kind of
(07:48):
tell what was going on at first,and then come up with a game
plan, and have had, also,feelings of like, wait a second,
I'm the professional here.
I should know what to do.
But you got- it's interestingto hear that you got that
feedback, but you're aprofessional, you should know.
You should know what to do,you're a provider! You should
know the game plan.
Dr. Taylor (08:07):
Yeah.
So that kind of leads into howI got involved with this field.
Emily (08:12):
Yeah.
Dr. Taylor (08:13):
After experiencing that, um, obviously my spidey
senses were on.
You know, that hey, maybe I'mnot the only one that goes
through this.
Dani (08:23):
Yeah.
Dr. Taylor (08:24):
So I'd like to tell you a little bit about how I
first heard about PSI, and thenhow that works into my
professional part ofall of this.
Okay.
So I had experienced that, ofcourse, with my daughter, and I
was doing some generalpsychiatry, you know, along the
way.
And I began working withfamilies that were experiencing
(08:46):
perinatal mood and anxietydisorders around the end of
2013.
I still to this very dayremember my first perinatal
patient.
She came into my office.
It was a young woman.
She came into my office at theuniversity, I was working in the
outpatient psychiatry clinic.
(09:07):
And she was just in tears, Imean, just inconsolable tears.
To the point that, at first, Icouldn't even figure out why she
was there.
Dani (09:16):
Oh.
So she was just out in thelobby just crying.
And they were like, hey, Dr.
Taylor, uh...
Help.
Help!
Dr. Taylor (09:23):
Can you help me here?
So I went out there and gother.
And, you know, after she kindof calmed down and I made her
feel more comfortable, she toldme that she had a history of
bipolar disorder and that shehad been stable on medications
with another psychiatrist in thecommunity for a few years.
She found out that she waspregnant, and that doctor told
(09:46):
her to stop all of hermedications, just cold turkey.
Dani (09:49):
Uh-oh.
Dr. Taylor (09:50):
He told her that her baby was going to be quote,
messed up because she had taken,quote, dangerous medications
while she was pregnant.
And didn't she know that sheshould not have gotten pregnant
on those medications?
Dani (10:05):
Oh, wow.
Dr. Taylor (10:06):
So, of course, this is a doctor that she had
trusted, that she had been withfor a long time, who basically
said, don't come back to meuntil you're not pregnant again.
Dani (10:16):
Oh my goodness.
Dr. Taylor (10:17):
Yeah.
Just let that sink in for aminute.
She was absolutely devastated.
Emily (10:23):
Yeah.
And when she shared the storywith me, I was horrified.
We were both in tears at thatpoint.
Because I could not believethat something so terrible could
happen to someone, especiallyknowing what I had experienced.
Right.
Dr. Taylor (10:40):
I could only imagine how much more difficult it
would be for someone who wasn'tin the medical profession to
have to go through somethinglike that.
So, she did stop all of hermedications and her mental
health symptoms got much worsevery fast.
And on top of that, she wasworried that she had, quote,
damaged her baby.
(11:00):
So I knew that I had to helpher.
There was just no way I wasletting her walk out of that
room without me finding some wayto help her.
But I also realized that Ineeded help trying to help her.
Emily (11:15):
Yeah.
Dr. Taylor (11:15):
I had not been taught what I needed in training
or had enough experience in myown practice yet to feel
comfortable handling, you know,such a sensitive and complex
situation.
Emily (11:27):
Right.
Dr. Taylor (11:28):
So that's when I found PSI, Postpartum Support
International, on Dr.
Google.
Yes.
Emily (11:35):
Yeah!
You just got on the internetand you were like, well, what do
I do with this?
Dr. Taylor (11:40):
Yes.
So, you know, after I talkedwith her and calmed her down, I
was very honest with her.
I said, this is, you know, thisis a horrible story.
I've got to help you.
I don't know how to help you.
So we're gonna come back nextweek.
We're gonna make sure you'resafe, and you come back next
week.
And I'm gonna have a game planand we're gonna get through
this.
So...
Oh wow.
Emily (12:00):
I got the chills.
Dani (12:01):
Yeah, I know.
I keep getting goosebumps too.
I'm like, trying to stayfocused on the conversation
here.
Dr. Taylor (12:06):
So, during that time, I started doing some
research about treating bipolardisorder and anxiety in
pregnancy.
I found a webinar online thatPSI was hosting, and I attended
that.
Emily (12:19):
Who taught that webinar?
It was um, I'm not sure.
Of course, it was Birdie andsome other people back then, but
I don't remember exactly whowas speaking.
That sounds right.
Dr. Taylor (12:31):
But anyway, I did start doing some research.
Of course, I came up with agame plan, talked to the mom and
her partner, and we agreed thatshe had not done anything to
damage her baby, you know, thatthis was, you know, not her
fault, that we were gonna doeverything we could to help her
be healthy, to help the baby behealthy, to help the family be
(12:53):
healthy.
And so we formed a partnershipand we worked through it
together.
And interestingly, I was withher for about 10 years after
that, through a couple of otherpregnancies.
So it was amazing.
So that's how I got into PSI,and that's how I got into
(13:13):
perinatal mental health.
I went to a live class thatvery year.
Like, I think I saw her inAugust or September, and PSI
happened to me in Orlando, whichis only an hour and a half from
me, like the next month, doingthe Components of Care two-day
class.
So I was sitting there in thefront row.
Dani (13:33):
You were like, clear the calendar, taking notes.
All the information.
And what's ironic is that threeyears later, I was teaching
that class.
Whoa! Oh my gosh.
Dr. Taylor (13:46):
So that is how I got to PSI.
That is how I started workingwith my families.
That's how the professionalside of things started.
Emily (13:55):
Yeah.
And it's only gone up fromhere.
Dr. Taylor (13:58):
Yeah.
Emily (14:00):
It's like, I'm just thinking about every other
episode we've recorded and howevery single volunteer, every
single advocate, becomes thething that– the person that they
needed, like, become theresource in your community that
you needed, become the peersupport that you needed.
And you're like, we need a siteconsult program, right?
(14:22):
I'm gonna be a part of it sothat I could have had someone to
call.
I love it.
Dr. Taylor (14:28):
Yeah.
Dani (14:29):
So could you tell us a little bit about, I mean, you've
touched on it, but we alwaysask how folks are supporting
people in the perinatal periodnow.
So you've mentioned thatyou're, you know, three years
later after taking the class,you're teaching the class.
What else do you do here atPSI?
Can you tell us about that?
Dr. Taylor (14:52):
So, yeah, I've got, um...
Dani (14:54):
Everybody sit down! It's gonna be a minute.
Nicole is busy.
Yeah.
Dr. Taylor (14:58):
Wendy likes to ask me to do things.
Wendy is our president and CEOof PSI and just a wonderful
person.
And she loves to help others,and she likes to get me to help
others.
Dani (15:10):
You like helping others too.
You guys are–
Yeah.
Dr. Taylor (15:14):
So, in my role for PSI, I am the current medical
director and board liaison tothe psychiatric consultation
program.
I'm also a member of theexecutive committee.
I am the member at large, so Isit on the inner board of the
big board.
Dani (15:33):
Ooh.
Got it.
I've been a member of the PSIBoard of Directors since 2022.
My past roles include being thechair of membership and
professional outreach, because Iwant to make sure that people
know about these services.
Yeah.
Yes.
Dr. Taylor (15:53):
I also was a subject matter expert for the PMHC
exam, which means that I helpedto develop the content and write
the questions for the PMHCexam.
Like I said earlier, I receivedmy PMHC in 2018.
So I was one of the very firstpsychiatrists to get the PMHC
(16:14):
certification because I believewe started around September.
That's when I got mycertification.
And I do want to come back andmake sure we talk about the
certification and why that'simportant too.
So remind me of that.
Emily (16:25):
Yes.
Oh, okay.
Also, I've been a member of thePSI Annual Conference
Committee.
So I plan our annualconferences and pick the
speakers and the posters, etc.
And then as I've mentioned, Iam one of the faculty trainers
for PSI.
So I teach the two-dayComponents of Care training,
which is that one that I went toin Orlando that first time.
(16:48):
And I also teach the six-houradvanced course on psychiatric
pharmacology.
So that's like the deep diveinto medications and more severe
illness.
And that's the day three that, like, if you're a
prescriber, that's the one youneed, right?
Dr. Taylor (17:05):
Yes, exactly.
Exactly.
So that's what I do for PSI,but outside of PSI, I'm still
very much engaged in theperinatal world.
I mentioned to you that I workfor the VA here in Jacksonville,
Florida.
I see women veterans forpreconception, pregnancy
counseling, evaluation andmedication management in
(17:26):
pregnancy, postpartum, andbreastfeeding.
I teach psychiatry residentsand medical students about
perinatal mental health throughthe University of Florida.
I am also the women's mentalhealth champion for my VA.
Yes.
So I teach my colleagues.
Dani (17:45):
Dr.
Taylor!
Dr. Taylor (17:48):
So I teach my colleagues about how to
recognize and treat perinatalmental health disorders.
I act as the primary contactfor any concerns regarding
women's mental health.
And I help to develop theprograms and services for women
veterans.
Outside of that, during my freetime, I like to help reduce the
(18:11):
stigma of mental health,particularly perinatal mental
health disorders.
So I volunteered to speak inthe community.
I speak at schools, andchurches, and support groups,
and anybody that is willing tolisten to me basically.
Dani (18:24):
Oh.
That is amazing.
Do people just, if somebody is interested in you
speaking, do they just– Nicole,do you have a secretary?
I mean, I'm just like, okay.
Are we gonna drop her emailaddress in the show notes or are
people gonna flood?
Dr. Taylor (18:38):
I do not have a secretary, but I might need one.
But you can find me onLinkedIn.
That's probably the bestprofessional social platform to
find me on.
And I do get random calls andemails at my job, everywhere
about having to speak, so–
I was just thinking, I know my,you know, friends and family,
(19:00):
and neighbors and acquaintances,like, know that I'm a perinatal
mental health advocate andpeople randomly reach out to me,
but I'm just like, wow.
I bet you're really getting hitup by people.
Emily (19:12):
Right?
Like, do you get stopped in thegrocery store?
Dr. Taylor (19:15):
I do sometimes because I wear my PSI t-shirt
saying you're not alone, andpeople ask me questions and I
will give them a whole lectureabout perinatal mental health.
Dani (19:26):
Actually, you told us a funny story about bumping into
somebody at a, was it a fair orsomething or uh?
Yeah, I was at a seafoodfestival, visiting my daughter
down in South Florida where shegoes to school, and a random
lady just walked up to me andsaid, hey, do you know about
988, which is the veteranscrisis line, suicide prevention
line, et cetera?
(19:46):
Yeah.
And so I told her all the stuffI knew about it and what a
great service it was.
And I said, did you know thatyou could also be connected to
the National Maternal MentalHealth Hotline?
And then I started telling hereverything I knew about
perinatal mental health.
Next thing you knew, Dr.
Taylor and this new friendpulled up a chair.
You know, they were at theirown table.
(20:07):
They were, yeah, don't disturb.
They were gone for three hours,no I'm just kidding.
Dr. Taylor (20:12):
She was doing a podcast and she just happened to
find the one psychiatriststanding in the line for a
lobster roll that wanted to talkabout perinatal mental health.
Dani (20:21):
Isn't it so interesting the people we run into and the
conversations we have?
Oh my goodness.
Dr. Taylor (20:26):
I've been on the news, I've written for the, you
know, some local newspaperarticles and blogs.
But yeah, it's interestingwhere you can spread the word.
Dani (20:35):
Oh yeah.
Are we your first podcast?
Dr. Taylor (20:38):
This is the first official podcast because she had
a podcast, and she just askedme about the 988, but this is my
first, like, interview, a fullinterview.
Dani (20:47):
Oh, well,
Emily (20:48):
Yes!
you've come to a professionalplace here...
Uh, we've been doing thisfor...
two years.
Yeah.
We're gonna ask the hard-hitting questions.
Dani (21:00):
We do.
I had a follow-up question.
Oh, my follow-up question isare you sleeping?
Dr. Taylor (21:05):
Yes.
Very important question.
I believe in self-care.
So I eat, I sleep, I take timeout for myself, because if I
didn't do those things, Iwouldn't be able to take care of
other people.
So yes.
Dani (21:18):
Briefly, in that great, you know, explanation of all the
amazing things that you aredoing to support folks in the
perinatal period and providers,as well.
You mentioned a couple things.
I was wondering if you couldkind of give us a, like, quick
little elevator pitch for whatis the Psych Consult Program
that you've played such anintegral role in creating here
(21:40):
at PSI.
Can you tell us about that?
And then also, I think youwanted to mention PMHC.
Dr. Taylor (21:45):
Yes, yes.
So the Psychiatric ConsultationProgram is a free program for
medical providers who areprescribers and have questions
about mental health care relatedto pregnancy and postpartum.
For instance, a provider, anOBGYN, family practice, midwife,
(22:06):
or apiarian might havequestions about whether medicine
is safe in pregnancy orbreastfeeding.
They may have questions aboutwhether a specific case that
they are taking care of meetsthe criteria for a certain
diagnosis, or they may havequestions about resources that
would be helpful for theirpatients.
(22:28):
So the Perinatal PsychiatricConsultation Program is a group
of experts who are available toshare our knowledge, and our
resources, and our experiencewith other medical providers, to
take care of their patients.
Dani (22:45):
Oh, that is incredible.
So this is like just a freeservice.
If somebody wants to– who'strying to make a complicated
decision to help support apatient– and they're like, okay,
I need to pick somebody else'sbrain.
I'm gonna call and kind ofexplain the situation or, not
call.
Emily (23:03):
Schedule, yeah.
Dani (23:04):
Yeah, schedule an appointment to talk to somebody
and kind of just talk through,like, the best plan.
That's great.
Oh my gosh.
Dr. Taylor (23:12):
Yes.
And if there is a medicalprovider out there who needs to
use our resources, they can goto the website, the PSI website,
postpartum.net, and click onprofessionals, and you will see
the program there.
They can self-schedule aconsultation time with one of
our experts in the field, and weare more than happy to help
(23:33):
support and discuss anyquestions that they may have.
Dani (23:36):
That's incredible.
We'll put a link in the shownotes for folks to find that on
PSI's website.
We've also, earlier today,recorded a very special episode
all about just that program.
So I'll also leave a link inthe show notes to that episode.
If anybody is really interestedin hearing kind of more
in-depth explanation, we ask yousome more specific questions
(23:59):
about the program.
They can listen to that.
It's a quick listen, 15- 20minute episode all about that
program.
So we'll put a link to that inthe show notes, as well.
Dr. Taylor (24:07):
Yes, great, thank you.
Dani (24:09):
Yeah.
Dr. Taylor (24:10):
So I did want to mention about the PMHC, because
a lot of people might not befamiliar with that.
Dani (24:15):
Yeah, what does that stand for?
Emily (24:17):
Says the person with the cert.
Says the person with the cert.
Oh my goodness.
The perinatal mental healthcertification or PMHC recognizes
individuals who have proventheir competency to help moms,
dads, and families experiencingperinatal mood and anxiety
(24:40):
disorders.
So it basically provides astructure for the education and
training, as well as anevaluation, to make sure that
providers are using theevidenced-based information to
provide the best care to thespecial population.
It's been out since 2018, likeI said.
(25:03):
We have hundreds of people thatare certified, and you do not
have to just be a psychiatrist.
We also have therapists andsome other allied health
supportive people who work withperinatal families that receive
the certification.
And you can check out thewebsite for more information
about that.
Dani (25:23):
Exactly.
We'll put a link to that in theshow notes, as well, for
anybody interested in learningmore or getting started on your
training to earn your PMHC.
Emily (25:32):
I mean, I know what our next episode, our next special
episode is gonna have to beabout.
We're gonna have to bringsomeone in here to talk about
PMHC things.
Dani (25:40):
Yeah.
Emily (25:40):
But right now I want to talk to Dr.
Taylor about, um, how she takesher water.
Dani (25:45):
Oh.
Before we hop into thelightning round, is there
anything that you wanted tomention, any questions that we
didn't ask that you wish weasked?
Anything that you want to addbefore we get real, real
personal?
Dr. Taylor (26:01):
No, I think we've covered everything that we
wanted to describe.
Of course, I could talk aboutthis for hours, and days, and
weeks.
So you know, if you want moreinformation, just ask and it
will come, so...
You also mentioned, Dr.
Taylor, the PSI annualconference.
(26:22):
We'll put a link to the shownotes in that.
That's coming up in mid-Julyin 2025 for anybody listening to
it.
But look out for that everyyear.
If folks missed the conferencethis year, it happens every
summer, various locations.
So we'll put a link to thatpart of our website.
We always have informationabout where the annual
conference is taking place.
If you can't make it, you can,I think that you can, can you
(26:46):
register and get access torecordings later also if you if
you're not able to be there inperson, so.
Yes you can. We're going to New Orleans this year.
Dani (26:54):
Oh yeah.
Dr. Taylor (26:55):
Really good time.
So it we would love foreverybody to come out.
Dani (26:59):
We're real excited for that this year.
Yeah.
Well, I think it's time.
Emily, are you ready?
Dr.
Taylor, are you ready?
Emily (27:06):
Oh yeah.
Dani (27:06):
For the lightning round?
Dr. Taylor (27:08):
Yes.
Excited about the lightninground.
Dani (27:12):
All right.
First question.
Besides this podcast, what isyour second favorite podcast if
you were to recommend one tofolks listening?
And it doesn't have to beperinatal mental health related.
It can be, but it doesn't haveto be.
Dr. Taylor (27:25):
Yes.
Well, it is.
Dani (27:26):
Okay.
Dr. Taylor (27:27):
I live and breathe perinatal mental health.
Dani (27:30):
Okay.
Cool.
Dr. Taylor (27:32):
So it is the Mom and Mind podcast with Dr. Kat.
Emily (27:36):
Yes!
She's a very dear friend andhas so much knowledge and
expertise that she shares witheverybody.
So if you have not checked itout, please check out Mom and
Mind with Dr.
Kat.
Dani (27:49):
Oh my gosh, do you know what I saw the other day?
I think it was just this week,that Dr.
Kat has been podcasting fornine years, this week, and, you
know, has over 400 and some oddepisodes.
If you are interested inanything perinatal mental health
related, you will probably findsome sort of specialized topic
(28:11):
on her podcast.
And it was the first podcastthat a friend, a mutual friend
of Emily and I recommended to mewhen I discovered that there
was such a thing as a perinatalmental health advocate, that
there was a whole world outthere where folks, you know,
focus on supporting folks in theperinatal period.
And I wanted to know more.
I was like, what do I read?
(28:32):
What do I listen to?
I had little kids at the time,and so it needed to be, what can
I listen to in my earbuds.
It is incredible because it'sgreat for parents, it's great
for providers.
I wanted to know all thethings.
And just as um, I'll just say,as a non-provider, it was
digestible.
(28:52):
I understood, I understood itand I learned things.
And whether you're a provideror not, you learn things.
Um, so...
well, this just turned into amom and mind podcast promo–
Emily (29:04):
Advertisement.
I know.
It's because we're all fans.
What are you gonna do?
Dani (29:08):
Sponsor us! I'm just kidding.
We love you, Dr.
Kat! Yeah.
Emily (29:14):
Yes.
Oh my gosh.
Dani (29:16):
Great suggestion.
Emily (29:17):
Okay.
Are you currently bingewatching, reading, or listening
to anything really good?
I have gotten so many great,like next thing to watch on
Netflix, or Hulu, or whatever,because of this question.
I love it.
Tell me.
Dr. Taylor (29:33):
I'm currently binge watching Ginny and Georgia.
Emily (29:38):
Oh, God, yes!
It is a series about acomplicated relationship between
a young mother and her teenagedaughter.
There are all kinds of secrets,and murder, and all kinds of
things in there, but it also hasthings about identity and
(29:59):
mental health.
So I am in season two of three,but season four is coming out
this year.
So I'm getting caught up.
Oh, the countdown.
Yeah.
Dani (30:10):
It's really nice, I love starting a new show if there are
a few seasons.
Because, you know what?
The worst thing is, you know,really getting into a show and
there only being one season.
And then you've gotta wait.
Dr. Taylor (30:22):
Exactly.
Dani (30:23):
Remember once upon a time when we only could watch one
episode a week?
Emily (30:27):
Barely.
I mean, no, I do remember.
It was real tough.
Dani (30:30):
And we couldn't run to the bathroom or you'd miss
something.
I mean, it was a whole-
Oh my god.
I've tried to explain this tomy kids.
They just don't understand thethings we went through.
Emily (30:38):
They don't understand.
Dani (30:39):
Anyway, I'm really glad to hear that there are three or
four seasons for you, Dr.
Taylor.
Okay.
Um, do you have a favoriteparenting hack?
Dr. Taylor (30:49):
So I am always looking for some kind of life
hack because, I mean, life isjust hard in general.
Dani (30:55):
Yeah.
Emily (30:56):
Yes!
Dr. Taylor (30:57):
So it took me a while to think of something.
But my parenting hack is: always keep wet ones with you (30:58):
undefined
and a trash bag in your car.
Because life is messy.
And it doesn't matter if yourkid is, like, a baby, a toddler,
or a 20-year-old, you are goingto need the wet ones and a
trash bag.
Dani (31:19):
Okay.
You heard it here first!
Emily (31:22):
The other day, I went to Costco and I needed the wet
ones, because my hands were allsticky.
Dr. Taylor (31:28):
Exactly.
Yeah.
Emily (31:29):
I didn't have it- yep.
Dani (31:31):
Yeah.
Dr. Taylor (31:31):
That's my hack.
Wet ones.
Sponsor us.
Wet ones.
Sponsored by wet ones.
And trash bags.
Any version of wet ones doesn't have to be the name
brand.
Dani (31:42):
Yeah.
Emily (31:43):
Right.
Okay.
What is one way that you willshow yourself some radical love?
Dr. Taylor (31:49):
So you heard me mention earlier that I always
believe in taking care ofmyself.
Okay?
Emily (31:54):
Yes.
So that is, like, part of mydaily plan.
So today, before we evenstarted this process, I took
some time out.
I had my coffee out on thepatio where I could feel the
sun, listen to my wind chimesplaying, watch the water.
And I was just being still andaccepting what the universe was
going to give me today.
(32:15):
So-
Oh my goodness.
Dr. Taylor (32:17):
I started the day out right.
Dani (32:19):
Wait a second.
Are you at the beach?
Dr. Taylor (32:21):
I live right on the river, and I'm about two miles
from the beach, so very close.
Dani (32:26):
Okay.
Emily (32:28):
Yeah.
Dani (32:29):
We need to be where Dr.
Taylor is.
Dr. Taylor (32:31):
You're always welcome.
I have an extra guest room.
Dani (32:33):
Okay! Well...
Emily (32:35):
Road trip!
The pod squad's gonna show upon Dr.
Taylor's doorstep.
She's gonna be like, I've saidtoo much.
I've made a terrible mistake.
No.
That sounds so relaxing, oh.
Yeah.
Dani (32:48):
That is some radical love.
Okay, so the next questionhere.
If you could jump in to alittle time machine and go back
in time to, you know, the periodof time where you were feeling
some anxiety postpartum.
What is one thing that todayyou, wishes that you could say
(33:09):
to pre-recovery you?
Dr. Taylor (33:11):
I would say, Nicole, remember that you are doing the
very best you can with what youhave at this moment.
Everything doesn't have to beperfect.
The goal is to have imperfectprogress.
That's what I would tellmyself.
Give myself some grace.
That's what I would say.
Dani (33:28):
Oh man.
Emily (33:30):
Imperfect progress.
Yes.
Yes.
Dani (33:33):
I'm writing that down, that's why I'm being so quiet
right now.
My goodness.
Yeah, honestly.
Those are such wise words.
I had a sticky note for anumber of- probably three years
on my computer screen, somethingsimilar that my therapist said
to me.
She was like, Dani, just startwith good enough, you know?
Because it is, it's hard toparent an adult and accept that,
(33:54):
you know, like, we don't knowall the things.
And we don't have to do thingsperfectly.
So, oh.
Yeah.
I love that!
Emily (34:01):
All right.
The most important question.
How do you take your water?
Bubbles, no bubbles, flavor, noflavor?
Do you have an emotionalsupport water bottle?
I struggle to stay hydrated.
This is why I ask.
Dr. Taylor (34:14):
That's a very good question.
I do have an emotional supportwater bottle.
I collect turtles, so I have aturtle water bottle.
Dani (34:20):
Oh.
But the answer is with lemon,and cucumber slices, and a sprig
of mint, over ice.
Oh.
Emily (34:27):
Lemon, cucumber, and mint.
Dani (34:29):
And ice.
Dr. Taylor (34:30):
Over ice.
Oh my goodness.
Emily (34:32):
Okay.
That is my favoritecombination.
And so normally when I'msitting out there looking at the
water, if I'm not drinking mycoffee, that's what I got.
Wow.
Okay.
That sounds good.
Dani (34:44):
Well, way to stay hydrated! Dr.
Taylor, if anything hasresonated, I think a lot of
things from today will haveresonated with our listeners.
If folks would like to get ahold of you, I know you
mentioned getting connected withyou on LinkedIn might be the
best way.
Is that the best way that folkscan get in touch with you?
Dr. Taylor (35:02):
Yes, I would say either through PSI with the
Psychiatric ConsultationProgram, if they have questions
about that, or through LinkedInif they have other questions
that may not be related.
Dani (35:15):
Sure.
Okay, we will put your contactinformation in the show notes
for folks who would like to getin touch with you.
This has been so lovely.
Emily, can you take us out?
Emily (35:26):
I would love to.
Okay! Dr.
Nicole Taylor.
Dr. Taylor (35:31):
Yes.
Emily (35:31):
First, thank you so much for sharing your story, for
sharing all the things aboutyour program in our special
episode.
It is such a joy to talk topeople with lived experience.
It's such a joy to talk toexperts.
And you are both.
Dani (35:48):
You are all the things.
Emily (35:49):
You are the ideal double threat in our world.
So thank you so much fortalking to us about all of it.
Dr. Taylor (35:59):
Thank you so much for having me, I really enjoyed
it.
Thank you.
Thanks for tuning in to the IAm One podcast.
Check out today's show noteswhere we'll drop links to all
the important things that wementioned in this episode.
Please consider sharing about IAm One on social media and
following and rating our showwherever it is that you listen
to podcasts.
(36:19):
It only takes a minute of yourtime, and well, that'll help our
collective mission of bringingresources and local support to
folks worldwide.
From everyone here at PSI,thanks again for listening.
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