Colorado Springs Therapist for Moms Shaye Meissen
Takeaway: Motherhood can be rewarding, overwhelming, and everything in between. With our specialized therapy for moms, you can get the support you need to process your experience, explore your identity as a mother, and carve out time to prioritize your mental health. Connect with us today to get started.
I believe there are no amount of books, podcasts, blogs, or courses that can fully prepare a woman for becoming a mother. The motherhood journey is so unique to each of us. There are times of joy and then there are times when we feel overwhelmed and deal with seemingly constant emotional struggles. Baby blues, postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, and other perinatal mood concerns are real and valid. The unique challenges that come up during the postpartum period and throughout motherhood can be difficult to sort through alone. Therapy for mothers that provides parenting support with a holistic approach can be vital.
In this post I will discuss what therapy for moms can look like, mom burnout, how mothers can receive mental health support through both individual and online therapy, and how Exploration Counseling and Consulting provides therapy for moms to help find balance in motherhood.
Our approach to therapy for moms
Your experiences are unique and there is no one-size-fits-all to therapy. At your first session we will discuss your concerns and learn more about how those concerns are impacting the things in life that you care about. Then we will develop a plan. We believe that therapy should be productive, so we will work from the beginning to make sure we are moving in the direction you want to go.
Our mission is to help you learn, heal, and grow so that you can create your beautiful life! We allow you to go at your own pace to develop coping strategies, address possible traumas, establish a routine of self-care, and grow into your identity as a woman and a mother. We want each client to know that you deserve support and you are a good mom!
Moms find our practice and our approach to be welcoming, non-judgmental, and encouraging.
You can learn more about Exploration Counseling and our mom therapists here.
Why choose Exploration Counseling & Consulting
Finding qualified and accessible mental health support can be difficult. We want to make it as simple as possible. Here are just a few reasons why Exploration Counseling is a premier therapy group for mothers of all stages.
All of our therapists have additional training in pregnancy and postpartum mood disorders as well as trauma training.
We know the unique factors that need to be considered when treating a woman during the seasons of pregnancy, pregnancy loss, or new motherhood.
We focus on YOU.
You spend your time taking care of your baby or older child, and we take care of you. Yes, we know some skills and have professional training to help you feel better, but our focus is on making sure we are going in the direction you want to go. You should leave each session feeling valued, encouraged, and hopeful because you'll be confident you are moving in the right direction.
We make therapy accessible.
Not only do we offer both in-person and virtual therapy, but we know that sometimes (or always) there will be a baby sleeping on your shoulder, nursing, or playing next to you. We don't mind at all. We love it! We don't allow childcare issues to prohibit our work together.
Our goal is that no client should have to wait more than two weeks for an intake appointment.
When you're ready to connect, we'll be ready to welcome you. No long waits for therapy sessions.
We encourage simple, online scheduling.
No need to play phone or email tag...just schedule directly from our website!
3 top-rated therapists for mothers in Colorado Springs
1. Shaye Meissen, LPC-S, PMH-C
Shaye is a therapist for mothers. She is the owner of Exploration Counseling and a Licensed Professional Counselor in Colorado and Missouri, a clinical supervisor, and a certified perinatal mental health therapist (PMH-C). She has been working with individuals and families for over 10 years to navigate life's struggles and live more fully. Shaye believes that healthy relationships are the foundation of a beautiful life and she is committed to helping you become the person, partner, and parent you want to be.
Credentials: LPC-S, PMH-C (Shaye is licensed in both Colorado and Missouri)
Colorado License Number: LPC.0012830
Shaye holds a master's degree (MS) in Clinical Psychology from Missouri State University.
Shaye offers both online therapy and in-person therapy in Colorado Springs.
Providing postpartum therapy since 2018
Shaye utilizes Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), outdoor therapy, and mindfulness skills in her work.
2. Melanie McQuiston, LPC
Melanie is a Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate in the state of Colorado. She takes a direct and solution-focused approach to helping you move in the direction you want to go. Melanie has a knack for supporting people through difficult life changes and transitions in a way that is both effective and empowering.
Credentials: LPCC
License Number: LPCC.0019310
Melanie holds a Master's Degree (MS) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Oakland University.
Melanie offers online therapy to clients throughout Colorado.
Providing postpartum therapy since 2022
Melanie utilizes ACT, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and solution-focused therapy in her work.
3. Paige Lloyd, LPC, PMH-C
Paige is a Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate and Marriage and Family Therapist Candidate in Colorado and California. She is also a certified perinatal mental health therapist (PMH-C). She is here to help you in the evolution of becoming the person you want to be. She loves working with new moms and couples as they discover their new world and work to balance the demands of everyday life.
Credentials: LPCC, MFTC, (PMH-C completion Summer 2024)
Colorado License Number: LPCC.0018129, MFTC.0014116
Paige holds a Master's Degree (MS) in Counseling Psychology from the Wright Institute in Berkeley, CA.
Paige offers online therapy to clients throughout Colorado.
Providing postpartum therapy since 2022
Paige utilizes Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and mindfulness techniques in her work.
FAQs about counseling for moms
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Just like there are different styles of parenting, there are different approaches to therapy for parents. There is no one-size-fits-all approach, but in our experience, there are a few factors that tend to help.
The number one request we have is for a virtual therapist. The simplicity of being able to connect from home, work, or wherever feels comfortable is a service that makes therapy more accessible to parents. This way you don't have to worry about finding a babysitter, factoring in travel time, or taking unnecessary time away from work or your family. Online therapy makes it possible to address your birthing experience, anxiety disorders, or other factors that may be impacting yourself, your partner, or your children.
Aside from when/where you do therapy, there are different approaches. Clinical research suggests a mindful approach that focuses on values, emotional regulation, and acceptance can be very helpful for new mothers. At Exploration Counseling, we often use an approach called Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) that helps mothers address their own needs as well as the needs of their families.
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Mom burnout refers to the overwhelming sense of exhaustion, frustration, and emotional fatigue experienced by mothers due to the demands of motherhood and other responsibilities. Mom burnout can happen at any period of motherhood and will often come and go. It can look different for each mother, but some common feelings and symptoms associated with mom burnout include:
• Physical Exhaustion
• Emotional Fatigue
• Lack of Motivation
• Impatience or Irritability
• Guilt
• Difficulty sleeping
• Mood swings
• Feeling like you have no outside support
If you are experiencing any of these, mom therapy (as I sometimes like to call it) can help! Many women find that having a licensed therapist trained in maternal mental health is key to getting the right support. We offer individual therapy that will allow you to learn skills and practical tools to become the mother you want to be during this challenging time.
You can learn more about mom burnout and also postpartum depression at Postpartum Support International.
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In some instances it might be necessary, and even helpful for a mother and child to see the same therapist. However, all circumstances and your situation and context need to be taken into consideration when making that decision.
Individual therapy for mothers or parents and family therapy are not the same thing. In individual therapy, you are working on yourself and your own needs, which will help improve the relationships you have with yourself, your partner, and your children. In family therapy or even couples therapy, you are working together to improve communication and better understand one another. All forms of therapy can be very valuable, but sometimes one may be more helpful than another.
At Exploration Counseling, we focus on individual therapy for moms and dads, but we are happy to talk with you and see what form of therapy is best fit for your needs. If we can meet the need, we absolutely will. If we feel it's best to refer you to another specialist, we will help you make that connection.
Get the support you need to navigate all stages of motherhood.
Becoming a mother and all of the feelings that come with this transition can create unexpected and unwanted symptoms of stress and feeling overwhelmed. It can be hard to cope with the challenges and feelings that arise. Giving birth is a beautiful experience. Having a child is also really hard. No matter where you are on your motherhood journey, we have a team that is here to help. We know you can feel better because we support women experiencing positive change daily. We hope that, no matter where you are right now, you discover that you are the parent your child needs. Postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, or any other parenting issues or perinatal distress do not have to change that fact.
