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Servicios en español Damos la bienvenida a personas, parejas y familias hispanohablantes a nuestra clínica. Entendemos lo importante que es recibir atención en salud mental en el idioma preferido. Aunque no todos los profesionales de Stanley Psychology hablan español, contamos con varios psicólogos hispanohablantes con formación a nivel de maestría para garantizar una atención de calidad (Licensed Psychological Associates). Stanley Psychology brinda servicios psicológicos en español, tanto de manera presencial en nuestra oficina como en línea, para su comodidad. Evaluación diagnóstica Realizamos evaluaciones para: Trastorno por Déficit de Atención con Hiperactividad (TDAH) Trastorno Obsesivo-Compulsivo (TOC) Trastorno de Estrés Postraumático (TEPT) Trastornos del estado de ánimo Trastornos de la personalidad Otras condiciones psicológicas Psicoterapia Ofrecemos terapia para: • Ansiedad • Trastorno Obsesivo-Compulsivo (TOC) • Trastorno de Estrés Postraumático (TEPT) • Duelo • Conflictos relacionales • Matrimonios y parejas • Recuperación tras una infidelidad • Madres jóvenes y depresión posparto • Papás • Hombres • Adolescentes Aceptamos los siguientes seguros médicos Blue Cross Blue Shield (planes PPO) Scott & White Aetna Medicare Humana También se acepta pago por cuenta propia en casos sin seguro médico. Tenga en cuenta que la terapia de pareja y la terapia familiar no están cubiertas por el seguro médico. Proveedores de habla hispana Veronica Guerrero-Quan, M.S. Verónica es psicóloga con formación a nivel de maestría (conocida como Licensed Psychological Associate o LPA en inglés (Licencia n.º 38808). Cursó sus estudios en la Universidad Nelson, donde obtuvo una Maestría en Ciencias en Psicología Clínica, un Asociado en Artes en Estudios Bíblicos y una Licenciatura en Ciencias en Psicología. Su experiencia clínica incluye evaluación y diagnóstico psicológico, terapia para la ansiedad y el trastorno obsesivo-compulsivo (TOC), tratamiento del trauma y las fobias, evaluación e intervención ante desafíos de aculturación, intervención en crisis e integración espiritual. Además, Verónica ha completado formación de posgrado que la certifica como Profesional Informado en Mindfulness (atención plena), y aplica estas habilidades en su enfoque terapéutico. Actualmente también es estudiante de seminario y con gusto integra la fe en el tratamiento terapéutico para quienes así lo desean. ¿Experimenta usted preocupación excesiva? ¿Siente un miedo o ansiedad intensos ante un objeto o situación específica? ¿O ante situaciones sociales? ¿Evita intencionalmente aquello que teme? ¿Ha experimentado palpitaciones cardíacas inexplicables, sudoración, temblores, dolor en el pecho, mareo, dificultad para respirar, sensaciones de hormigueo, escalofríos o sofocos, o náuseas? ¿Tiene dificultades con el insomnio, la fatiga o la tensión muscular? Si respondió que sí a CUALQUIERA de estas preguntas, ¡Verónica es la persona indicada para ayudarle! Ella cree firmemente que usted merece una vida LIBRE del control paralizante del miedo y la ansiedad. Su experiencia clínica incluye el tratamiento de la ansiedad, el trauma, el trastorno obsesivo-compulsivo (TOC), las fobias, los ataques de pánico y el manejo del estrés. En su vida personal, Verónica está felizmente casada y disfruta pasar tiempo con sus seres queridos. ¡Les presentamos a su sobrina en la foto! Para Verónica, la fe y la familia son una prioridad, porque la vida es demasiado corta para no valorarlas. Entre sus mayores alegrías también se encuentran aprender, viajar, jugar jugo’s de mesa, hacer senderismo y pasar tiempo al aire libre. Verónica es mexicoamericana bilingüe de primera generación, lo que significa que es la primera de su familia de origen en haber nacido en los Estados Unidos. Por esta razón, México ocupa un lugar muy especial en su corazón, y se identifica fácilmente con personas de origen latino. veronica@stanleypsychology.com Morgan es cristiano y tiene una licencia pastoral como ministro ordenado. Tiene una formación académica que incluye capacitación en atención clínica integrada cristiana. Ella cree que el viaje de fe de una persona puede ser bellamente combinado con el trabajo intencional en terapia para ver el avance, la sanación y la vida verdaderamente abundante como un creyente. Aunque esto ciertamente no es una expectativa de que sus pacientes tengan esta perspectiva, una de sus alegrías es hacer espacio en la terapia para procesar la angustia emocional relacionada con preguntas de fe profunda y usar la Biblia como una base para el crecimiento de aquellos que centran su vida en Cristo. Morgan Flores, M.S. Morgan Floreses psicóloga con formación a nivel de maestría (conocida como Licensed Psychological Associate o LPA en inglés (Licencia n.º 40186). Morgan obtuvo su Maestría en Ciencias en Psicología Clínica de la Universidad de Nelson. Desde 2022, ha estado agradecida de servir como clínica en Stanley Psychology. Morgan se compromete a conocer a los clientes donde se encuentren, ofreciendo apoyo y herramientas basadas en evidencia para fomentar la sanidad intencional y el crecimiento personal, con la creencia de que lo mejor está realmente por venir. Se siente honrada de trabajar con individuos y parejas, con áreas de enfoque clínico que incluyen resolución de conflictos matrimoniales y familiares, recuperación de asuntos, salud mental materna y niñas adolescentes / adultas jóvenes. Además, Morgan está capacitada y tiene experiencia en la realización de evaluaciones psicológicas. Si te encuentras preguntándote… ¿Está toda la vida destinada a ser? ¿Estoy condenado a estar siempre deprimido? ¿Mis emociones correrán el espectáculo fuera de control para siempre? ¿Siempre me sentiré como un felpudo para los demás? ¿Mi pasado siempre nublará mi futuro? ¿Seré capaz de abrirme y amar a mi cónyuge de nuevo? ¿La “culpa de mamá” alguna vez será más fácil? ¿Es posible la paz genuina? … A Morgan le encantaría conocerte y expresar - ¡no estás solo! Y usted no tiene que navegar esto solo. Lo que es, y lo que siempre ha sido, no tiene por qué ser tu historia para siempre. La terapia puede ser una herramienta para pasar página y comenzar una nueva narrativa hoy. Fuera de su trabajo profesional, Morgan disfruta de una vida plena con su esposo y sus tres hijos pequeños. Morgan es bilingüe en inglés y español, ha vivido en Nicaragua durante varios años en su vida adulta temprana, y disfruta de la cultura y la comida latinas. Sus pasatiempos incluyen disfrutar de una taza de café, jugar juegos de mesa estratégicos, pintar y organizar casi todo y todo. mflores@stanleypsychology.com karla@stanleypsychology.com Karla Palma, B.S. Estudiante de Práctica Clínica Karla Palma es una estudiante de práctica clínica en Stanley Psychology. Originaria de Houston, Texas. Karla está en estudios para su maestría en Psicología Clínica en la Universidad de Nelson. Obtuvo su licenciatura en Psicología Preprofesional en la Universidad de Nelson. Karla ofrece servicios a bajo costo con la supervisión del Dr. Stanley. Karla se interesó en psicología por su fuerte deseo de brindar servicios de salud mental accesibles a personas que hablan Español. Como aspirante a clínica, su objetivo es servir a las comunidades inmigrantes, especialmente a quienes atraviesan el complejo y angustioso proceso migratorio, ofreciendo atención con respecto a la adaptación y comprensión de las nuevas costumbres culturales, ya que en ocasiones causa sensibilidad por el choque de dos culturas. Además del enfoque en problemas de salud mental relacionados con la inmigración, a Karla le interesa ejercer en las áreas de desarrollo de la identidad, terapia familiar, ansiedad y depresión. En su tiempo libre, a Karla le gusta escuchar música, especialmente a la banda coreana Straykids. También disfruta de la lectura de libros de misterio y romance contemporáneo.

Dr. Amanda Stanley, Ph.D, L.P. and her staff of clinicians provide in-person and remote diagnostic evaluation & therapy in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and beyond with an office located in Mansfield, Texas. Stanley Psychology treats a variety of conditions for patients of all ages, both individually and in group settings. PROUD SUPPORTER OF THE FOLLOWING ORGANIZATIONS AND EFFORTS ANIMAL SHELTERS & RESCUES MENTAL HEALTH MILITARY VETERANS AT-RISK CHILDREN STUDENT SUPERVISEES Stanley Psychology is an advocate for several charities and community efforts, and is honored to provide thousands of dollars in donations and time each year. Scroll below to view some of the causes closest to our hearts. NEW PARTNERSHIP ALERT! Stanley Psychology is proud to partner with Mansfield Mom Walk to offer compassionate, expert maternal mental health services. Together, we’re creating a safe space where mothers can prioritize their wellness, feel supported, and walk through motherhood surrounded by community. Learn More ANIMAL SHELTERS & RESCUES It only takes a minute of browsing the Stanley Psychology website to see that Dr. Stanley is massive dog lover. Although she loves all dogs, she is particularly fond of the dogs who have been rejected and need a second chance for love. Two of her dogs were discarded puppies, abandoned in the road (Riddle) and a shelter (Roux) days after Christmas. Roxy was another shelter animal, who was brought in as a stray and was days away from being euthanized. Raider may have the most dramatic story of all: he and his littermates were abandoned outside during the February 2021 Texas freeze at a mere three months old, and a rescue organized a 13-hour drive each way to get the dogs to a safe place. All that to say, three of the charities we support regularly are the Texas Sporting Breed Rescue (TSBR), the Second Chance Dog Rescue in Mansfield, and our local Mansfield, Texas animal shelter. TSBR is the rescue group that saved the lives of Raider and his littermates, which we are forever grateful for, and the local Mansfield community animal shelter is where Roux briefly called home after she was surrendered. Stanley Psychology takes pride in supporting the needs of these animals who are waiting for their forever homes, and highly recommends supporting these groups in their missions. Texas Sporting Breed Rescue Website Mansfield Animal Shelter Website Second Chance Dog Rescue Website MENTAL HEALTH As a mental health clinic, Stanley Psychology has a passion for supporting mental health efforts. Although there are several nonprofit mental health organizations that Dr. Stanley has supported throughout the years, two of her current nonprofit passions are the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Texas (NAMI Texas) and the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA). NAMI is an organization that focuses on the improvement of those impacted by various mental health conditions through education, support, and advocacy. For over 40 years, NAMI has been a beacon of help and hope, fighting for more research, better education, bolder advocacy, and broader public awareness of mental health.DBSA is a national organization that assists those with mood disorders with advocacy and support, including a large network of in-person and online support groups. This specific nonprofit organization is very close to Dr. Stanley's heart, as she donates in honor of a dear family friend who was lost in 2022. She was a second mother to Dr. Stanley since she was a child, and kindly provided additional support to her after the loss of her own mother in 2018. As a bonus, she is one of the few people Dr. Stanley has met that matched her love of dogs! Stanley Psychology is proud to support DBSA in her honor. If you would like to support the continued awareness of mental health, please consider visiting the below websites. NAMI Texas Website DBSA Website MILITARY VETERANS Stanley Psychology is a proud supporter of military veterans. After transitioning from military service, many veterans face challenges adjusting to civilian life, and therapy often plays a key role in helping them to reclaim their mental and emotional freedom. Despite industry attempts to increase access to appropriate mental health care, many military veterans continue to face barriers to receiving treatment. In an effort to address this significant issue, Stanley Psychology offers reduced costs and pro bono services through the office for evaluation services and treatment. We network with local veterans groups to ensure individuals are aware of these services and are given the opportunity to receive help. Dr. Stanley is particularly passionate about providing psychological evaluations to those going through the VA evaluation process for service-related benefits. We have had several cases where veterans who were previously denied benefits through the VA process were able to gain favorable decisions for compensation benefits through our evaluations and treatment. Please reach out to the office if you or someone you know could benefit from these services. Click Here to Contact Us! AT-RISK CHILDREN The Texas Pythian Home for Children is a nonprofit organization that provides safe and stable environments for children. These children are typically from families suffering from homelessness, unemployment, drug/alcohol addictions, and incarceration, and as a result are unable to care for the child. This group home is licensed by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services and is located in Weatherford, Texas. This home is of particular interest for Dr. Stanley for two reasons. First, Dr. Stanley's mother had a passion for assisting this home, and after her death the family requested donations for this home in her honor in lieu of flowers. Second, after working in prison environments and treating countless individuals with drug and alcohol addiction, Dr. Stanley has seen firsthand the impact these issues can have on a family, and support for innocent children in these circumstances is of the utmost importance. Texas Pythian Home for Children Website STUDENT SUPERVISEES Dr. Stanley donates countless hours of her time to assist in the training of Stanley Psychology’s student clinicians. Clinical supervision gives students firsthand experience with a trained professional and prepares them for their own professional career as they work alongside their supervisor to identify their strengths and opportunities. This process enables students to improve their own clinical performance, treatment effectiveness, and patient care. Because these pre-licensed clinicians require supervised experience as a requirement of licensure, many licensed supervisors charge their hourly rate for the time training the students. However, Dr. Stanley is passionate about training our future clinicians, and offers these services as part of her pro bono work, saving students in training thousands of dollars. Due to this policy, Dr. Stanley is able to engage in an application and interview process with potential trainees, and be selective in choosing student clinicians for a training year. Dr. Stanley believes we only accept the highest quality students, and, as a result, can offer top-tier services to our patients through their work. Click Here to Contact Us!

Dr. Amanda Stanley, Ph.D, L.P. and her staff of clinicians provide in-person and remote diagnostic evaluation & therapy in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and beyond with an office located in Mansfield, Texas. Stanley Psychology treats a variety of conditions for patients of all ages, both individually and in group settings. Insurance & Billing What insurance does Stanley Psychology accept? Our practice is able to take several insurances including Blue Cross Blue Shield (PPO plans), Scott & White, Aetna, Medicare, and Humana. Practicum clinicians are not able to take insurance, but instead offer lower-cost rates to provide services. If you are out of network, we can provide a form for you to submit for reimbursement. Our office is also able to process HSA and FSA cards for payment due to the nature of healthcare services offered. What if my insurance doesn't cover therapy? Our billing office is happy to provide you with the information needed to file for any out-of-network benefits your insurance may provide. You would pay out-of-pocket rates, and any reimbursement would be paid directly to you. What are the session rates? If you are self-pay (not utilizing insurance), Dr. Stanley’s initial session fee is $275 and follow-up therapy appointments are $200. Psychological evaluations typically range from $1,100 - $1,500 depending on what is being assessed. Additional work Dr. Stanley may engage in, including consulting and engaging in court proceedings, is billed at her $200 hourly rate. These rates are influenced by location of practice, education, and experience. Fees for LPAs are dependent upon their level of practice and have an initial session fee of $150-225 and follow-up therapy appointment fees of $125-$175. Psychological evaluations typically range from $900 - $1,200 depending on what is being assessed. Additional work by LPA clinicians, including consulting and engaging in court proceedings, is billed at their hourly rate of $125-$175. These rates are influenced by location of practice, education, and experience. We are also able to offer a sliding scale through clinicians in training. Practicum clinicians have a session rate of $2 5 per session. They offer reduced cost psychological evaluations, under the supervision of Dr. Stanley, for $200-$400 depending on what concern is bei ng assessed. What is Stanley Psychology's cancellation policy? Appointments require 48 business hours’ notice for cancellation without penalty. Appointments cancelled between 24-48 business hours prior to the appointment will be charged a fee of $100 to your card on file. Appointments cancelled within 24 business hours of the appointment time and appointments unattended without notice will result in the full session charge ($125-$200 depending on clinician level) charged to your card on file. A card on file is required to book appointments. Business hours are defined as Monday – Friday, 8am – 5pm central, excluding federal holidays, Christmas Eve, and the Friday following Thanksgiving. We want to provide full transparency for this policy. In the mental health field, it is common to charge the full session fee for cancellations and no-shows. This is because a one-hour block of time is reserved for your appointment. In the medical field, offices typically have a cancelation policy of a lower amount, but it is usually based on a 15-minute appointment with the provider rather than one hour. Due to their booking strategies, they can also overbook to account for cancellations due to the nature of their session times; in mental health, we cannot overbook to plan for cancellations and instead the hour remains open. Session fees are dictated by education level, license, and location of practicing. For doctoral-level providers like Dr. Stanley, the Dallas/Fort Worth area hourly rates are $175+. Masters-level providers (such as licensed professional counselors) typically have lower hourly rates, which likely means lower costs for late cancellations. Although we love what we do, it is still a business! We recognize this hourly rate may be shocking to some, particularly who utilize their insurance for sessions. However, please remember the fee is based on education and experience, and also covers all operating costs of the business. For clinicians in training: Practicum clinicians and clinical residents require at least 48 hours’ notice for cancellation without penalty. Otherwise, their full session fee of $25 is charged to the card on file. MORE QUESTIONS? CONTACT US

It’s the baby’s nap time, and you can’t decide whether you should take a shower, eat, drink some coffee, clean, read, or take a nap.  If you find yourself in this season of life, I see you, Mama! Let's talk about mental health for moms. There are so many changes that happen when becoming a mom. There is comfort in knowing that this season is one to cherish AND one that will graduate into future seasons with their own set of challenges and delights. No matter the season, however, the biggest blessings in life often come with the biggest sacrifices.  There is the expected hard. There is the unexpected hard.  There is the expected joy. There is the unexpected joy.  And there is a lot of life that fills the in-between.  It matters. Your family matters. You matter. You are not alone.  Motherhood holds a kind of hard work that shapes us in profoundly beautiful ways, yet there are seasons when we slip into unnecessary suffering that dims that beauty.  We can start to feel alone, overwhelmed, uninformed (or even overinformed lol), and feel broken down, anxious, angry, and upset that we cannot just stop feeling upset. Mom guilt has a way of wearing us down in ways no sleepless night ever could. Every mama has days that feel this way, but if it seems like most days are consumed by these feelings, take heart that there is hope. Motherhood doesn’t have to feel like this all the time. Being emotionally and mentally present is one of the most meaningful ways we can show up for ourselves and our families. This can become very difficult to walk in when we are experiencing stress, anxiety, depression, or a lack of confidence in our lives as a new mama. Having the space to grow personally can have a significant ripple effect on your kids, your spouse, and ultimately generations to come after you.  Therapy is not a “fix-all,” but it can be a tool to help in very practical and meaningful ways. One thing I am passionate about is sitting with women in their season of motherhood, and I would love to have the chance to hear your story.

Whether you have been diagnosed with ADHD or you just have a short attention span, many people struggle with staying focused on day-to-day tasks. Adults and children alike can benefit from some Back to School Focus Tips for staying on task and maintaining productivity throughout the day, and that’s what I’m here to help with! My first suggestion is to allow lists to be your best friend. We may have a list in our heads of all of the stuff that we need to get done each day, but if we don’t write it down, we can 1) forget what we need to do or 2) feel too overwhelmed by everything you need to remember to get started on anything.  Here’s how you start a list of tasks: Pick a day of the week to make your list and list everything out. For example, every Monday you make a list of things that need to be done that week. Write down everything from making the bed to mowing the lawn to writing invitations for the kids’ party next weekend.  Break the tasks down into smaller tasks and assign them to a day of the week. Do you eat an orange whole? No! You cut it up into smaller pieces. Treat tasks the same way. For example, if you have “clean the house” on your list, break that down into “clean the bathroom,” “mop the floors,” “dust the living room,” etc. Add those smaller tasks to a daily task list. Another option would be to assign a room to clean each day. For example, on Mondays you clean the bathroom, on Tuesdays you clean the kitchen, etc. Whatever makes the tasks feel achievable, do that! A task can be too big, but it can’t be too small.  If your list of daily tasks is getting too long, prioritize what needs to be done. For example, if you have “bathe the dogs,” “mow the lawn,” and “weed eat” on your list for a day that you also work a full shift, identify which of those tasks can be moved to a different day or a different week. If you overwhelm yourself, there is a good chance that nothing will get done, so make your task list achievable so at least the important things get completed.  Place this list somewhere you won’t miss it, like on your phone, front door, mirror, or all of the above. The list won’t do you any good if you don’t look at it.  For your kids, make a daily task list with pictures to put up in each room. For example, put their list of tasks done in their room (making the bed, putting toys away, etc.) up on a wall in their room. List their chores on the refrigerator (feed the dog, take out the trash, etc.). Put a list of things to do to get ready in the morning in the bathroom (brush your teeth, brush your hair, etc.). Provide a marker or sticker for the child to mark off the completed tasks.  My second suggestion is to take regular stretch breaks and utilize fidget toys if you have to sit for long periods. Sitting at a desk all day is hard for adults and kids. Here are some tips for staying focused: Stretch intermittently. For example, every hour, stand up and touch your toes, reach to the sky, and slowly twist your back. Stretching allows the mind to refocus and it releases endorphins that make you feel good! For your kids, ask their teachers if they can have regular stretch breaks throughout the day, or teach your kids some simple stretches they can do at their desks when they find their minds wandering. Reach your arms up and to the right then to the left Sit up straight and slowly twist your back from right to left Sit up straight and slowly turn your head from side to side Have some little fidget toys on hand. Pop-its, Thinking Putty, and stretchy noodles may seem like kid toys, but adults find them useful too! Don’t be afraid to have some little things on your desk to keep your hands busy during slow times. There’s no need to struggle through your workday when fidgets are designed to help! For your kids, talk to their teachers about fidget toy options in their classroom. If fidgets are not allowed, here are some options for quiet fidgeting in the classroom. Slowly tap your fingers one at a time on your desk. Try tapping your fingers in different orders or patterns. Remember to tap your fingers slowly so you don’t make much noise and disrupt the class! Place your hands on your chair on either side of your legs. Push the chair away from you so that your bottom barely comes off of the seat. This exerts energy and uses the muscles to help regain focus and release endorphins through movement.  Make your hands into fists and squeeze them as tight as you can for 10 seconds. After 10 seconds, relax your hands and notice how tired they feel. You can do this over and over and you can even do it with different muscles like your arms, legs, and feet.  If an inability to focus interferes with your ability to function during the day, start with these tips and then seek additional help. These struggles are not new or uncommon, so talk to a mental health professional who can help!

When people talk about peripartum mental health, they usually focus on postpartum depression or anxiety—and that’s incredibly important. But there’s something else many new moms go through that doesn’t get nearly enough attention: the mental load for moms that comes with motherhood. I’m not talking about the physical tasks of parenting, like changing diapers or feeding. I’m talking about the constant, never-ending  stream of mental “tabs” that stay open in your head all day (and night). Your mind is constantly running: Did I switch the laundry? When was the baby’s last feeding? I need to schedule that pediatrician appointment. Is this rash normal? Did I do enough tummy time today? It’s like having a browser with a dozen tabs open at all times—and you never really get to close any of them. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone, and NO, you’re not imagining it. This is often called the invisible load, and it’s real . What Is the Invisible Load? The invisible load doesn’t look the same for everyone. It can weigh heavily on moms whether you have one child or a house full of them. It’s not about how many kids you have—it’s about the constant mental juggling that comes with caring for others. It is all the mental, emotional, and logistical weight that many moms carry that is often without recognition or support. It’s the behind-the-scenes work of managing a household, caring for a child, and anticipating everyone’s needs. This includes remembering appointments, tracking feeding and sleep schedules, keeping up with school forms, grocery lists, birthday gifts, and even knowing where everyone’s shoes are. It’s checking the diaper bag before leaving the house, noticing when laundry needs to be done before anyone else does, and always being mentally three steps ahead. It’s the emotional labor of regulating your child’s feelings while barely managing your own, or absorbing a partner’s stress while holding it all together. It’s constantly weighing decisions— Should we try a new formula? Was that cry normal? Do I need to call the doctor? —and often doing so with very little rest. This is why so many moms say, “I’m exhausted, but I didn’t do anything today.” Because while it may look like “nothing” from the outside, internally, your brain was on overdrive. You did a lot—you just weren’t physically clocking in and out. You did it all while trying to remember to maintain a sense of your own identity that you also feel like you lost along the way either during pregnancy or after the baby was born. Somewhere in the blur of feedings, laundry, and middle-of-the-night wake-ups, it’s easy to lose sight of the person you were before becoming “Mom.” The invisible load is real, it’s heavy, and it deserves to be acknowledged. Just because it’s not visible doesn’t mean it isn’t work. In fact, it’s often the most exhausting kind. When this mental load builds up (and it almost always does), it can lead to some pretty serious struggles. You might start feeling constantly anxious or on edge, or notice that you’re more irritable than usual. Sleep becomes a challenge—not just because of the baby, but because your brain won’t turn off. You might find yourself snapping at people you love over small things, or feeling emotionally numb and disconnected from everything and everyone around you. There may be a constant sense that you're falling short, even when you're doing everything in your power. You may feel resentment, guilt, or sadness that lingers throughout the day. Sometimes, it shows up as decision fatigue—feeling paralyzed by even the smallest choices—or as a deep loneliness, even when you're rarely alone. This invisible weight can take a toll on your mental and physical health, making it harder to enjoy the moments you want to be present for. Why It Matters and Why Don’t We Talk About It More? Because the invisible load isn’t usually very visible. A lot of people that you interact with frequently don’t even notice it. Maybe not even your partner, your friends, or your own parents. It doesn’t come with a clock-in time, a job title, or a checklist you can point to. It lives in the quiet spaces: the middle-of-the-night mental notes, the endless background worry, the planning five steps ahead while managing the present moment. You know others mean well when they say things like, “But your baby is healthy!”  or “Enjoy every minute, it goes by so fast,”  or “You’re doing such a great job!”  These comments are usually meant with love and good intentions, but they can leave you feeling unseen and unheard. Because while you might look  like you have it all together on the outside, inside you may feel like you’re barely holding it together. You’re grateful, yes, but also insanely overwhelmed, exhausted, and stretched thinner than you’ve ever been before. There’s also a pressure to be the “supermom” who does it all without complaint. We’re told to savor every moment, be endlessly selfless, and bounce back quickly in all ways: physically, emotionally, socially. There’s an unspoken expectation to carry the mental load silently, and to do so with a smile. So when you don’t feel like you're managing it all well, it’s easy to think something must be wrong with you. You can start to second-guess your feelings or minimize them. But the truth is, struggling doesn’t mean you’re ungrateful for you child(ren). It doesn’t mean you’re weak, or failing, or any less of a good parent. It just means you’re human. What Can Help? If you’re feeling mentally maxed out, know that you’re not alone. More importantly, there are  things that can help. The first step? Say it out loud. Sometimes, simply naming what you’re feeling— “I’m feeling really mentally overloaded,” can be extremely powerful. When you put words to the invisible load, it not only validates your experience for yourself, but also helps those around you better understand what you’re going through. Next, give yourself permission to ask for help, and to do so without guilt! This is one of the hardest things for many moms, especially those used to being the go-to, the planner, the one who just gets it all done. But here’s the truth: asking for help doesn’t make you weak. It makes you human . Learn to lean on your partner to schedule the pediatrician appointment. Let a friend or family member take over dinner duty for a night (I promise they want to). Delegate the grocery pickup. It’s okay to lean on your village, even if that village is small or still forming. New moms were never meant to carry all of this alone. Take time to care for yourself. Even if it’s just for a few minutes each day, carving out space to do something you enjoy or simply to breathe can make a huge difference. Whether it’s a quick walk outside, a few stretches, a short meditation, or diving into a hobby you used to love. Taking this time doesn’t make you selfish. It’s necessary! Physical activity, even something gentle like a walk or yoga, can boost your mood, reduce stress, and help you reconnect with your body. Also, try revisiting hobbies you used to enjoy or explore new ones that fit your current lifestyle. If you don’t have time to sit down and read a book, for example, look for an audiobook or podcast you can listen to while driving, cooking, or cleaning. If you liked crafting but don’t have long stretches of free time, try quick projects like coloring, knitting, or even simple doodling during small breaks. If you enjoyed music, create playlists that lift your mood or try learning a new song on an instrument in short sessions. The key is to find little pockets of time to connect with things that bring you joy, even if it’s just for a few minutes. Talking to someone who really gets it can make a huge difference. Therapists who specialize in perinatal mental health understand the invisible stress, the identity shifts, and the deep exhaustion that doesn’t go away with just a nap or a shower. They know that even when everything looks “fine” on the outside, you might be barely holding it together inside. Having a space to just talk—without needing to explain or sugarcoat anything—can be a huge relief. You don’t have to worry about saying the “right” thing or keeping it all together. You can cry, vent, be totally honest, and actually feel heard. And therapy isn’t just about giving you coping tools (although that helps, too). It’s also about feeling seen and supported. It’s a space to sort through everything you’ve been carrying, and maybe even reconnect with parts of yourself that have gotten lost in the shuffle. Because yes, you’re a mom, but you’re also a person with your own needs, feelings, and dreams. You deserve  that kind of support, even if you don’t think you do. If there’s one thing I hope you remember, it’s this: you’re not failing—you’re just carrying way too much on your plate. Motherhood is full of love and sweet moments, but it’s also full of pressure, expectations, and a never-ending to-do list. It’s okay to say, “This is a lot.”  It’s okay to feel overwhelmed. It’s okay to need help. So many moms feel like they should be able to do it all with a smile on their face and feeling 100% okay, but unfortunately that’s just not real life. What no one sees is all the behind-the-scenes mental work and how exhausting it can be to keep up with it all. But here’s the thing: there’s no medal for doing it all by yourself. No one hands out trophies for pushing through in silence (though honestly, if they did, we’d all be walking around with a bunch!) What you do  deserve is support, rest, and a chance to feel like yourself again and not just someone going through the motions. Take it from someone who knows firsthand—it doesn’t usually get better on its own. So if you’re feeling overwhelmed, stretched too thin, irritable, anxious, down, or just plain exhausted, know that you’re definitely not alone. Reach out. Talk to someone. Ask for help. Let others share the load with you. Because you matter! Not just as a mom, but as you . It’s possible to fully embrace your role as a mom while still staying true to who you are. That’s the beauty of motherhood—it doesn’t mean you have to lose yourself and who you were before kids, but rather growing into a new version of you. You can nurture your family and also nurture your own dreams, passions, and well-being. Finding that balance might take time and support, but it’s absolutely within reach!