Protecting Your Mental Health in Pregnancy and Postpartum
A free community event for families who are looking to thrive in the baby season of life
SAVE THE DATE
〰️
Sept. 27th - 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
SAVE THE DATE 〰️ Sept. 27th - 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Babies in arms welcome
〰️
Babies in arms welcome 〰️
Meet other moms, build community, and stay for a mommy-and-me workout!
At this fun and informational community event, you will learn about:
Brain changes in pregnancy and postpartum
Connecting with your baby during pregnancy using mindfulness skills
Postpartum sex (do we need to say more?)
Common pelvic floor complaints in pregnancy and postpartum
The intersection of sleep and mental health (hello tired moms’ club!)
How traditional postpartum practices protect parents’ mental health
WHAT: A community event to learn about tips, tools, and resources for thriving mental health for pregnant and postpartum parents. At this event you will meet other parents and perinatal providers; the event includes breakout sessions and an optional mommy-and-me workout (yoga or pilates-style).
WHO: For pregnant and postpartum parents of all ages. No matter how old your baby is, you are welcome. (Yes, even if they are 10!)
WHEN: 9/27/25 | 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. (stay for as long as you like)
WHERE: Therapy Solutions in Richland, WA
SIGN UP: There is no cost to attend; however, you must register to save your spot.
September 27th | 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Therapy Solutions | Richland, WA
Attendees may attend various breakout sessions, mingle with other moms, or stay for one of two free community workout classes (one pilates-style workout OR a yoga class) both led by pelvic floor physical therapists.
Breakout Session Topics
-
We’ve all heard of “baby brain” or “mommy brain.” But is it real? Or are we just losing it!? And what about that long-lasting brain fog?
Yes, it is real (science backs us up). AND there is good news about why this is actually helpful to us as new mothers.
Presented by Jessica Wisse, a postpartum doula and owner of Sand and Sage Postpartum Care.
-
Why are mental health challenges so widespread for modern mothers? It couldn’t have always been this way. Learn from Dr. Sara Nelson, an Ayurvedic Health Coach, about how this ancient form of medicine treats pregnancy and postpartum for optimal vitality and health.
-
We’ve all heard it: you’ll never sleep again.
Wow. That’s rude.
But how do we keep sane with little to no sleep? Learn from Alexis Flores, who is a mental health counseling intern, about the importance of sleep and how parents of young children can optimize our sleep, ensuring we get good, restorative sleep to feel our best.
-
In our modern society, we are forced to always be “ON.” Constant notifications and endless to-do lists—the modern mother’s mental load is crushing.
So how do we connect with our babies while pregnant? How do we hold on to our mental health despite the noise?
Judy Dirks is a mental health counselor (and grandma of two!) with a wealth of knowledge who will share mindfulness techniques to connect back with yourself and your baby in the womb.
-
Our bodies go through tremendous change during pregnancy and so when society expects us to “bounce back” immediately after birth, many moms can feel disheartened and discouraged.
Pelvic floor physical therapists, Dr. Sara Nelson and Dr. Brea Wheeler, will discuss what a normal healing timeline looks like after pregnancy and birth and will provide practice tips and exercise to improve strength, stability and shape, and reduce side effects such as swelling, pain and fatigue.
-
When we don’t completely feel comfortable in our bodies, how are we supposed to feel ourselves again after birth?
According to research, up to 88% of couples experience sexual issues after birth. If these issues go unaddressed, they can easily spiral into mental health challenges.
Learn from Dr. Sara Nelson, a board certified women’s health specialist and physical therapist, and Alexis Flores who is an intern mental health counselor.
-
The birth of the mother requires the death of the maiden. No matter our stories, motherhood comes with intrinsic losses that are often unacknowledged by our modern-day culture.
This topic is led by Cheryl Kulas, a grief care specialist and former chaplain who has led groups on infant loss.
Meet Your Speakers
Jessica Wisse, Postpartum Doula
Jessica is a postpartum doula and owner of Sand and Sage Postpartum Care. She suffered from postpartum anxiety and depression after the birth of her first baby and has made it her mission to help other parents make the most of this amazing season of life.
As a doula, she supports the physical, emotional, and psychological needs of new mothers so that they can best take care of their babies and build the family they sought out to have.
Alma Peña-Taveras, Perinatal Health Coordinator
Alma is a proud Pasco native, UW Husky, and passionate advocate for birth and postpartum equity. With a background in Public and Global Health and two years as Perinatal Health Coordinator at the Benton-Franklin Health District, she champions maternal mental health, facilitates parent support groups, and leads the Benton-Franklin Perinatal Collaborative to strengthen family support systems. Alma brings heart, cultural humility, and a strong commitment to ensuring all families have access to the care and resources they need to thrive during pregnancy, postpartum, and beyond. She’s especially driven to help shape policies and initiatives that improve maternal and family health. Outside of work, Alma enjoys life with her husband Emmanuel and their beloved 10-year-old Shih Tzu-Chihuahua named Cardi.
Dr. Sara Nelson, Physical Therapist and Board Certified Women’s Health Specialist
Sara owns Therapy Solutions, where she is a pelvic floor physical therapist, therapeutic yoga instructor, women’s health specialist, and so much more. Her mission is to offer a standard of care that she believes is needed to help individuals achieve optimal health.
She is a lover of learning and passionate about assisting people facing physical limitations make meaningful and positive changes in their lives. Her curiosity and desire to help has led to the accumulation of a lot of additional training and knowledge. She loves treating the pregnant and postpartum population, along with those facing:
Lymphedema and conditions affecting the lymph system including lip edema and abdominal congestion
Recovery from cancer
Pelvic floor dysfunction (pelvic pain, urinary urgency and stress incontinence)
Repetitive strain
Musculoskeletal dysfunction
Multiple disease processes or injuries that create symptoms of pain and limited mobility
Judy Dirks, Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Judy has been a licensed mental health counselor for over 35 years. I moved to the Tri-Cities in 1991 and have been very active within the community for while working at several agencies, including serving as a women’s trauma group coordinator.
Making a difference in people’s lives has been my passion. Learning and discovering more about such things as health and wellness, trauma, the brain, energy systems within the body, and the benefits of essential oils preoccupy a great deal of my time. I also find that yard-work, gardening, and time with my two grandchildren bring me great deal of pleasure.
Dr. Brea Wheeler, Pelvic Floor and Pediatric Physical Therapist
Brea offers a holistic approach to healing, addressing multiple body systems and layers of being. She is empathetic, fun, down to earth, and believes authentic healing is multifactorial, requiring connection between body, mind, and spirit. She uses a unique blend of therapeutic movement, neuromuscular re-education, and manual therapies to apply her intuitive touch with her exceptional skills. She empowers through education to encourage her patients to take control along the continuum of their healing journey. She works with both adults and children, treating conditions including pelvic floor dysfunction (pain, incontinence, prolapse, irregular menstrual cycle, etc.), constipation, pregnancy (pre & post-partum), headaches, chronic and acute pain and offers guidance in day to day healthy living practices.
Brought to you by Sand and Sage Postpartum Care, Therapy Solutions, and the Benton-Franklin Health District.