

Momwell
Erica Djossa
We often enter motherhood envisioning joy, nurturing, peace, and love. But the reality can blindside us. Nobody tells us about Mom Rage, overstimulation, intrusive thoughts, or other mental health struggles. Unfortunately, when we seek help, we might face a lack of support, a system that doesn’t put moms first, and a world that turns a blind eye to the challenges of motherhood. We’re here to change that. We believe that moms deserve access to community, support, and mental health literacy. If you’re struggling with motherhood, you’re not alone–and you’re not failing. On The Momwell Podcast, host and psychotherapist Erica Djossa teaches strategies to help you cope with the psychological and emotional load of motherhood and prioritize your mental health and wellbeing. Erica shares the best kept secrets of the therapy world and interviews other professionals (psychologists, pediatricians, psychiatrists, fertility specialists, lactation consultants, and more!) who provide their expertise to empower you on your motherhood journey.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 12, 2023 • 48min
168: How to Be a Valuable Support Person During Labor with Jen Hamilton, Labor and Delivery Nurse
Partners usually want to be the go-to support person during labor. But sometimes they don’t know how to help. With the right plan, conversations, and communication about expectations, partners can learn how to support you the way you need. Today, I’m joined by labor and delivery nurse Jen Hamilton to discuss how to be a valuable support person during labor.Show Notes: http://bit.ly/3zLSnVb Book a Free 15 min Consult with a mom therapist: momwell.com Follow Momwell on Instagram: instagram.com/momwell Sign up for our weekly VIP Newsletter: momwell.com/newsletter Register for one of our popular workshops and courses: momwell.com/shop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 5, 2023 • 45min
167: The Difference Between Postpartum Depression and Postpartum Psychosis with Dr. Sarah Oreck, Reproductive Psychiatrist
When you’re grappling with your mental health in the postpartum period, it can be hard to know what’s happening. Is this depression, anxiety, or something more severe? With recent tragedies in the news, many moms are left wondering what postpartum psychosis is and what causes it. Today, I’m joined by reproductive psychiatrist Dr. Sarah Oreck to discuss the causes, signs, risk factors, and treatments for postpartum psychosis and how it differs from postpartum depression.Show Notes: http://bit.ly/3U5v6XG Book a Free 15 min Consult with a mom therapist: momwell.com Follow Momwell on Instagram: instagram.com/momwell Sign up for our weekly VIP Newsletter: momwell.com/newsletter Register for one of our popular workshops and courses: momwell.com/shop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 29, 2023 • 40min
166: Birth Trauma Part 2: Facing Pregnancy After a Traumatic Birth with Kayleigh Summers, Clinical Social Worker
Facing a subsequent pregnancy after a traumatic birth can feel overwhelming and scary. You can’t predict what will come next, but you can heal from your past trauma and prepare a strong support system. Today, clinical social worker Kayleigh Summers, founder of The Birth Trauma Mama, joins us for part 2 of our conversation about birth trauma. Last week, we talked about how trauma can impact our decision to expand our family. Today, we’re discussing how to prepare for a subsequent birth after a traumatic experience.Show Notes: bit.ly/40pKGQfBook a Free 15 min Consult with a mom therapist: momwell.com Follow Momwell on Instagram: instagram.com/momwell Sign up for our weekly VIP Newsletter: momwell.com/newsletter Register for one of our popular workshops and courses: momwell.com/shop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 22, 2023 • 43min
165: Birth Trauma Part 1: How Birth Trauma Impacts Our Family Decision Making with Kayleigh Summers, Clinical Social Worker
A traumatic birth experience can leave moms feeling conflicted, lost, and unsure of themselves. We’re often told that we should be grateful or appreciative for a healthy baby, no matter what the birth looked like. But traumatic birth experiences can stick with us, impacting our future decisions, such as whether or not to grow our family. I sat down with clinical social worker Kayleigh Summers, founder of The Birth Trauma Mama, to discuss traumatic birth experiences. In part 1, we talk about how birth trauma impacts us and the importance of healing. (For the second part of our conversation, preparing for delivery after experiencing birth trauma, catch Episode 166!) Show Notes: http://bit.ly/3JQqnpc Book a Free 15 min Consult with a mom therapist: momwell.com Follow Momwell on Instagram: instagram.com/momwell Sign up for our weekly VIP Newsletter: momwell.com/newsletter Register for one of our popular workshops and courses: momwell.com/shop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 15, 2023 • 51min
164: Real Self-Care for Moms with Dr. Pooja Lakshmin, Psychiatrist
Overwhelmed moms are often told to carve out time for “self-care,” from bubble baths to massages. But not only does that version of self-care for moms add more to our neverending to-do list—it also does not address the real problems that are contributing to burnout. Real self-care for moms isn’t about what we do or what we buy—it’s about mindset shifts that change the way we approach motherhood. Today, I’m joined by psychiatrist Dr. Pooja Lakshmin, author of Real Self-Care, to discuss self-care principles for moms and how we can prioritize our mental health. Show Notes: http://bit.ly/3FnzfQB Book a Free 15 min Consult with a mom therapist: momwell.com Follow Momwell on Instagram: instagram.com/momwell Sign up for our weekly VIP Newsletter: momwell.com/newsletter Register for one of our popular workshops and courses: momwell.com/shop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 8, 2023 • 56min
163: How Our Childhood Wounds Impact Our Parenting with Vienna Pharaon, Founder of Mindful MFT
Moms often find themselves grappling with people-pleasing, perfectionism, or fear of emotionally damaging their children. But what many don’t realize is that these tendencies are often rooted in unresolved childhood wounds. Today on the podcast, I’m joined by marriage and family therapist Vienna Pharaon, founder of Mindful MFT, to discuss why childhood wounds arise in parenthood and how to identify and work through our pain. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3Jj9h3g Book a Free 15 min Consult with a mom therapist: momwell.com Follow Momwell on Instagram: instagram.com/momwell Sign up for our weekly VIP Newsletter: momwell.com/newsletter Register for one of our popular workshops and courses: momwell.com/shop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 1, 2023 • 1h 5min
162: How to Make Decisions with Confidence with Dr. Quincee Gideon, Psychologist
Many of us were never taught how to make decisions with confidence. Some of us came from a religious background, some of us encountered controlling environments, and some of us were simply taught to trust our parent’s choices rather than making our own. Now, as moms, we often find ourselves struggling with people pleasing or an inability to trust ourselves. But when we understand what’s holding us back, we can empower ourselves to make decisions. Today, I’m joined by Dr. Quincee Gideon, clinical psychologist and specialist in religious trauma and cult recovery to discuss how to work through our past and make decisions with confidence. Show Notes: http://bit.ly/3mcsKJK Book a Free 15 min Consult with a mom therapist: momwell.com Follow Momwell on Instagram: instagram.com/momwell Sign up for our weekly VIP Newsletter: momwell.com/newsletter Register for one of our popular workshops and courses: momwell.com/shop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 22, 2023 • 45min
161: Navigating Working Mom Struggles with Mary Beth Somich, Mental Health Counselor
Working mom struggles are real—we’re bombarded with messages and expectations about “having it all” and encouraged to seek “work-life balance.” We often end up feeling as though we’re failing both at home and in our careers. But what if we let go of external measuring sticks about what it means to be a good mom and focused instead on our values and priorities? Today, I’m joined by licensed mental health counselor Mary Beth Somitch, founder of Your Journey Through, to discuss working mom struggles and how to let go of the pressure to be perfect. Show notes: http://bit.ly/3Sh8ZNe Book a Free 15 min Consult with a mom therapist: momwell.com Follow Momwell on Instagram: instagram.com/momwell Sign up for our weekly VIP Newsletter: momwell.com/newsletter Register for one of our popular workshops and courses: momwell.com/shop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 15, 2023 • 44min
160: Minimizing Mental Clutter with Denaye Barahona, Ph.D.
Do you ever find your brain spiraling with endless to-dos? Or feel overwhelmed by all the toys and mess around you? Many moms struggle with both physical and mental clutter, juggling responsibilities, worries, and labor in the home. But with the right strategies, we can declutter our homes and our minds, bringing some calm back into the chaos of motherhood. Today, I’m joined by therapist Denaye Barahona, host of the Simple Families Podcast, to discuss the intersection of clutter and mental health. Show Notes: http://bit.ly/3E18zV6 Book a Free 15 min Consult with a mom therapist: momwell.com Follow Momwell on Instagram: instagram.com/momwell Sign up for our weekly VIP Newsletter: momwell.com/newsletter Register for one of our popular workshops and courses: momwell.com/shop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 8, 2023 • 55min
159: Overcoming Mom Guilt with Libby Ward, Founder of Diary of an Honest Mom
What is mom guilt and how do we overcome it? Motherhood has a way of bringing out doubt, fear, guilt, and shame. But when we learn how to let go of comparison and mother with our own values, we can break away from unproductive mom guilt and chart our own path in motherhood. Today, I’m joined by Libby Ward, founder of Diary of an Honest Mom, to discuss why we experience mom guilt and how we can navigate it. Show Notes: http://bit.ly/3JJoKtM Book a Free 15 min Consult with a mom therapist: momwell.com Follow Momwell on Instagram: instagram.com/momwell Sign up for our weekly VIP Newsletter: momwell.com/newsletter Register for one of our popular workshops and courses: momwell.com/shop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices