Understanding Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders: Chicago Therapist Insights
The journey to pregnancy and parenthood, even under the best circumstances, can be filled with joy, anticipation, and a fair share of stress. Often, however, this path brings unique challenges that aren’t openly discussed.
For many women, it can be a time shadowed by mental health concerns such as perinatal mood disorders, postpartum depression, anxiety, trauma, or the lingering effects of grief and past abuse. These experiences add a complex emotional layer to the physical adjustments of pregnancy, shaping how women care for themselves and their babies in profound ways.
As a dance therapist in Chicago specializing in relationship counseling, I often see how trauma and grief affect the body, making it harder to connect with ourselves and others. Through dance therapy, I support women who feel disconnected from their bodies to feel more grounded, connected, and at ease within themselves.
How Can Counseling in Chicago Support Women Struggling with Perinatal Mental Health?
In this edition of my “Insights from Colleagues” series, I’m thrilled to introduce Jessica Carlos, a compassionate and trauma-informed therapist specializing in Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders. She will share her insights into maternal mental health and how her work supports women navigating these difficult yet transformative times.
Meet Jessica Carlos, a Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders Therapist in Chicago
Jessica is a bilingual Spanish-speaking Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Her passion is working with women on their journey into motherhood, empowering them to acquire tools to decrease daily stressors and adjust to new roles and routines.
Jessica provides counseling services to women experiencing various mental health concerns, including perinatal mood disorders, postpartum depression, anxiety, grief, bereavement, trauma, sexual abuse, interpersonal partner violence, and many more areas.
Q & A with Jessica Carlos, LCSW and Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders Therapist in Chicago
How did you choose Perinatal Mental Health?
I have always loved supporting and empowering those around me. My personal experiences with obtaining support from a social worker allowed me to learn the value offered through this line of work. These resources then became a gateway for accessing a series of tools. During my undergraduate studies at LUC, I took an intro course to social work and knew this was my calling. As I progressed into my graduate-level coursework I was granted an opportunity to complete my internship at Healthcare Alternative Systems (H.A.S) in the Postpartum Depression (PPD) Program, one of the first perinatal programs in the Midwest. I grew passionate about supporting this community.
Why did you decide to practice in Chicago, IL?
After completing my graduate studies, I accepted a position as a therapist working for H.A.S in the PPD Program. I remained in this area and continued supporting my community through other capacities and positions. I recognized my niche was maternal health and began my journey at Nurture Therapy as a Therapist. We provide individual and couples counseling, medication management, sleep consultation, groups, coaching, and consulting.
What kind of services do you provide and to what ages?
I provide individual and couples counseling for adults at Nurture Therapy. I am a guide who helps clients access resources, teaches them coping tools, and reviews strategies to improve communication skills to facilitate the process of having their needs met and begin to feel empowered. This allows them to be the best version of themselves on their healing journey.
What is your favorite kind of specialized training and how does it affect your work with clients?
As a trauma-informed therapist who specializes in the treatment of Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders, with a focus on Women’s advocacy, Cultural focus, Domestic violence, and recovery, I work with women experiencing challenges across the entire parenthood journey. I draw on existing strengths to help mothers adapt to the daily stressors of parenting and feel more confident in their new roles. I understand that feeling depressed, anxious, or experiencing trauma or abuse during pregnancy, delivery, early parenting, or in one’s history, can feel overwhelming and hopeless. I am empathetic that no one asks to feel this way as a new parent. I am a skilled clinician, guide, and partner here to help clients face these challenges, develop strategies, and enjoy this time of their lives.
I specialize in working with perinatal depression and anxiety disorders, helping women throughout their transition into motherhood. Within this area, I have also worked with mothers experiencing grief and trauma. In the past, I have facilitated bereavement groups. I have completed extensive training in domestic violence and rape victim advocacy. My trauma-focused and culturally-responsive lens provides a unique perspective on treatment and care. We review current patterns of functioning and reshape them to help manage symptoms they may be enduring.
How does your service help people with relationship issues or trauma?
In my role as a trauma-informed therapist, I use a holistic approach, learning about your varying needs, and goals, and supporting you in that unique process. Using various evidenced-based practices, mindfulness techniques, and a trauma-informed lens, we will work through the roller coaster of emotions, helping you heal, cope, and work towards change. Your unique strengths will aid us in the therapy process along with your resiliency. Through our collaboration, you will find hope in an empathic setting, a guide to help you explore those challenges, and find strategies to manage your unique life experiences.
What do you love about working with women and perinatal mental health?
Each individual grows, improves, and heals at their pace. Their resilience allows them to begin reshaping patterns, repairing relationships, and empowering themselves. They learn to hold hope for themselves and others. They are able to reconfigure puzzle pieces of their identities that they mourn during their transformation into parenthood and other life milestones.
In your experience, what are some important considerations when working with women and perinatal mental health?
I recognize exploring someone’s trauma history, relationships, and patterns can be a vulnerable process and will gauge the client’s pace. Therapy is a space to explore varying needs and support their healing journey. Getting clients connected to our medication manager, support groups, and other providers is essential. Accessing these resources will grant them access to manage the isolation and practice self-advocacy skills.
What would you say to someone hesitant about seeking your services?
Our therapeutic work is rooted in healing and recovery where clients can feel brave, safe, respected, and heard in therapy. You are not alone; you can feel better. Take these initial steps with me.
What do you wish people knew about services with you?
I will learn about your history and symptoms at your pace. We will review treatment goals, coping strategies, and access resources. We will learn to pause, assess your needs and begin to reshape patterns that no longer are servicing you. I hold you accountable during this journey and guide you through the healing phases of change.
How can people contact you to learn more about your services?
I offer a free 15-minute phone consultation to see how I can help you. You can call me at 773-274-0700 or email jessica@nurture-therapy.com Still feeling unsure? This complimentary screening tool is the quickest and easiest way to determine whether you are experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition.
More about Jessica, Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders therapist in Chicago
Jessica graduated from Loyola University Chicago with a Master’s in Social Work and a concentration in children and families. I have worked in the field for over a decade supporting mothers, children, and their families, and was part of one of the first perinatal programs in the Midwest.
Final Thoughts from a Dance Therapist in Chicago
Navigating the ups and downs of perinatal and postpartum mental health can feel overwhelming, especially when challenges like anxiety, depression, or a history of trauma make it harder to feel connected, confident, or at peace within yourself. I hope the insights shared by Jessica Carlos shed some light on the support available and offer reassurance that no one has to go through this alone.
Jessica’s compassionate, trauma-informed approach empowers women to take those first steps toward healing and self-compassion. Her work in maternal health is a reminder that with the right support, it’s possible to reconnect with ourselves, our relationships, and our purpose in this transformative season of life.
If you’re feeling disconnected from yourself or your relationships, or if you’re searching for ways to feel more comfortable in your own skin, I invite you to consider dance therapy as part of your healing journey. Through gentle, movement-focused work, I can help you feel more grounded, present, and confident within yourself.
Schedule a Free Consultation for Dance Therapy in Chicago
Ready to take that step? Schedule your free 15-minute consultation with me today and discover how dance therapy can support you in building a stronger connection with yourself and others.
Lisaura is a dance therapist in Chicago who specializes in incorporating movement and the mind-body connection to help people heal, improve their relationships, and feel more whole. Lisaura offers individual relationship counseling, dance therapy, and couples workshops to help adults connect with themselves and others deeply.
Spanish-speaking and Christian Counseling services are available as well.
