Becoming a mom brings a lot of new experiences into our life…and there are some many aspects of it that affect us physically and mentally which is why mental health for moms is vital. With my first I experienced undiagnosed postpartum anxiety and it affected so much of those first months of motherhood.
I am so grateful for there are now more therapists supporting maternal mental health support in OKC – I got to interview a Heather of Heather Scherf Counseling and excited to share her story and resources with you. Whether you are a mother now or on the journey to becoming a mother reach out to see if she could be a part of your support system.
Heather Scherf Counseling – Mental Health for Moms in OKC
What services do you provide?
I provide mental health counseling services to individuals and families. I specialize in working with trauma survivors including but not limited to abuse and neglect, attachment disruptions (foster/adoptive history, and birth trauma.
What got you started wanting to work with women particularly mothers in this way?
As a mother myself, I have become passionate about supporting other women in this season of life. My husband and I went through 5 years of infertility so going through that journey to get to motherhood gave me an added layer of passion to help other women who are desiring motherhood, have experienced loss or are already mothers. I enjoyed working with women prior to becoming a mother but once I experienced motherhood biologically and through adoption my passion only grew.
Where did you get your training?
I have my Masters in Counseling from Southern Nazarene University. I have advanced training in evidence based models including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) from Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI.) I am currently working toward gaining my Perinatal Mental Health Certification.
Where are you located?
I am located at the Self Leadership Center of Oklahoma at 925 NW 164th St STE A, Oklahoma City, OK 73013 (I own my own practice but office with a group of other therapists in this building who all specialize in Internal Family Systems therapy)
What would be some of the reasons you would encourage a mother to get mental health support?
1 in 7 women experience perinatal mental health concerns. Postpartum Support International states that “20% of perinatal mental health complications occur from pregnancy to two years postpartum” and “13% of parents are still experiencing mental health conditions at 4 years postpartum.”
In my personal life and professional work I have experienced and witnessed how vital having support systems in place are during pregnancy-postpartum (and for infertility or loss even before). This is such a unique season of life that can often come with a gamete of emotions including feeling overwhelmed and isolated. I have seen what a difference it can make to provide a space for mothers to come and receive care when most of their waking moments are pouring out care to their families.
Get in touch with Heather through her website.
if you enjoyed this post you might find these other ones helpful…
– pregnancy and postpartum resources for new parents in OKC
– Lifestyle Newborn Session with A Toddler
author bio:
Charis of Charis Elisabeth Photography is a professional newborn photographer serving the metro OKC area during newborn photoshoots in the area of OKC, Edmond, Midwest City and more. In home, relaxed newborn sessions are her speciality and she would love to serve your family! She is a member of PPA and master family photographer with NAPCP.
