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Reproductive and Perinatal Mental Health Therapy | Jess Coleman, PhD

Licensed psychologist in North Carolina and California, based in Durham, NC. I provide evidence-based therapy for adults experiencing reproductive, perinatal, and maternal stressors and transitions. These include, though are not limited to: pregnancy and postpartum anxiety and OCD, postpartum depression, birth trauma, grief after pregnancy and neonatal loss, fertility concerns, the transition to parenthood, hormonal changes, menstrual concerns, and invasive medical procedures.

Welcome, and thank you for visiting. I provide telehealth therapy to adults located in North Carolina, California, and more than 40 PSYPACT states.

I specialize in evidence-based therapy for reproductive mental health, which can include, but is not limited to: mental health during pregnancy and postpartum, grief and loss in the process of family building, family building decision-making, adjustment to parenthood, hormonal and menstrual concerns, perimenopause, coping with stressful medical procedures or complications, and medical conditions impacting reproductive or sexual health.

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Holding space for you during sensitive and transformative chapters of your life

Historically, our culture has taught people to quietly endure reproductive experiences that are emotionally and physically stressful.

Challenges with fertility, loss, pregnancy, birth, medical procedures, menstruation, infant feeding, identity changes, and parenting are often treated as common or expected.

Something being common does not make it healthy, normal, or something that should be endured without support. Conditions like PTSD after birth, postpartum anxiety or OCD, or depression activated by hormonal changes are common challenges and still deserve support and care.

Reproductive experiences can increase the risk of new or worsened grief, anxiety, intrusive thoughts, low mood, traumatic stress, anger, and questions about identity. These are understandable human responses that deserve care, not dismissal in our society. There are effective therapies that can support people’s mental health during these experiences.

I strive to create an open-hearted and collaborative therapeutic space where my clients feel seen, heard, and cared for. My approach is emotionally attuned, culturally conscious, and grounded in evidence-based care. I work with each client to explore what they are struggling with, map out what may keep them stuck, and plan to make changes that align with their values. Together, we leverage their strengths while building new skills that can be sustained in daily life. We work toward clients feeling connected to who they are, living out their values, and experiencing greater personal agency and more ease.

A note on inclusivity and belonging:

My work is grounded in my belief in reproductive justice. I believe that all people should have bodily autonomy, safety, and choices about having or not having children, and in how they parent.

Everyone is welcome in my practice, including people and communities who have experienced violations of bodily autonomy (e.g., people of color, LGBTQ+ communities, people with disabilities). I recognize that many people, across gender identities and expressions, experience reproductive health related stressors, pregnancy, loss, and parenthood.

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Areas of Specialization

I specialize in:

  • Mood and anxiety concerns during pregnancy and postpartum, which include: depression, anxiety, and OCD (intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors)

  • Birth trauma and traumatic medical experiences in prenatal, delivery, NICU, oncology, and gynecologic care settings

  • Grief after pregnancy loss, stillbirth, neonatal loss, and terminating a pregnancy for medical reasons

  • Pregnancy after loss

  • Stress related to fertility concerns and family building decision-making

  • Adjustment to parenthood and navigating identity shifts

  • Chronic overwhelm, self-criticism, guilt and perfectionism in parenthood

  • Stress related to navigating medical systems and coping with stressful procedures

  • Hormonal and menstrual concerns, including premenstrual symptoms (PMS), perimenopausal symptoms, and medical conditions that can affect reproductive health

If you are seeking therapy for reproductive mental health concerns, perinatal depression, perinatal anxiety or OCD, birth trauma, grief after pregnancy or neonatal loss, fertility concerns, or stress in new parenthood, I invite you to reach out. I meet with clients Tuesday through Thursday.

Practice Offerings

  • Close-up of an orange and yellow flower with water droplets on its petals, surrounded by green foliage.

    Personalized evidence-based individual therapy for adults experiencing reproductive mental health concerns

  • Tall redwood trees in a lush forest with green undergrowth and sunlight filtering through the canopy.

    Therapy groups with a focus on specific perinatal stressors impacting mental health (e.g., pregnancy loss, postpartum OCD)

  • A dirt trail running through a forest with tall trees and green foliage, under a clear blue sky.

    Circle of Security courses: teaching parents about fostering secure attachment with their children in a non-judgmental, community-oriented space

  • A lush green forest with tall trees, ferns, and fallen logs, illuminated by natural sunlight filtering through the canopy.

    Quality and process improvement consulting for medical clinics and health systems

  • Scenic view of green hillside with trees, a blue sky, and a body of water in the distance.

    Workshops and trainings in trauma-informed care and reproductive mental health for medical providers

  • Clear shallow ocean water over sandy beach with small gentle waves.

    Program development consultation in my areas of expertise for funded research grants

Personalized therapy for adults in North Carolina, California, and PSYPACT states

I’d love to connect with you.