Chana Brauser, LCSW, PMH-C

I’m Chana and I am privileged to work to help individuals and couples navigate the landscape of pregnancy, postpartum, childbirth, and parenthood. It is important to me that our work together helps you find your way to feeling comfortable and secure in your sense of self, as you move through any challenges that these life stages may bring your way. 

Parenthood - whether you are pregnant, a first-time or long-time-parent, or considering starting a family - can sometimes feel like a lonely journey. In a world where “momfluencers” reign on Instagram and social media feeds are flooded with images of seemingly perfect families, it can be hard not to play the comparison game, to feel like you’re the only one who can’t “get it together,” the only one who is struggling, depressed, worried, feeling trapped or regretful.

The arrival of your “bundle of joy” may bring surprising feelings of loss of self and identity, of the comfort and security of routine. These feelings of loss, regret, or even grief do not make you a bad parent and are more normal than you may think. I want you to know that it is normal for new parents to have scary thoughts about all sorts of things, especially when it comes to the safety of their baby. These thoughts are nothing to be ashamed of. In our work together, we will seek to help you safely acknowledge these thoughts and learn to respond to even the loudest of them in a way that empowers you to live your life with your little one to the fullest. 

I will listen with compassion, providing you a safe space to say the things that may feel scary or uncomfortable. I will help you tune in to your internal strengths as we work to relieve the depression, anxiety, fear, or pain you may be feeling. Together, we will work to help you recover your sense of self, building a new trajectory that will help you heal and feel whole, as a parent and as your unique self. 

Click here to learn more about how I can support and guide you through infertility or prenatal/postpartum concerns.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, with a Master’s in Clinical Social Work from Rutgers University, and Certified Perinatal Mental Health Professional. I have worked with incarcerated individuals and adults in drug rehabilitation programs. I’ve also worked in the field of public health and in nonprofit administrative work for children with special needs. As a mother myself, I am passionate about working with parents and helping to break the stigma around perinatal mental health challenges. I completed advanced clinical training in perinatal mental health with Postpartum Support International (PSI), where I am also a member.  

I am also aligned with the Health at Every Size (HAES) approach, which means that I support the evidence-based principle that weight is not an accurate indicator of health. I believe in advocating for the acceptance of all body types and recognize that cultural standards around body size can lead to disordered eating and body image struggles.

Ready to make an appointment? Have some questions first? Click below to contact me or schedule an appointment. I offer appointments by video.