Elizabeth Stumpf, LSW
In a world that is centered around social media, we often find ourselves comparing our own experiences to others. When it seems everyone is posting about how wonderful new motherhood is, it can be really upsetting when your experience has been the polar opposite.
Having a child is so much more than anything conveyed in a social media post. The peripartum period brings on significant hormonal, emotional, and physical changes. Any combination of which can be difficult to come to terms with. Your reflection in the mirror may seem unrecognizable now. You may wonder what happened to the person you used to be or the body you once had. An individual's overall health is made up of so many different factors. It is not defined merely by physical well-being, and certainly not by a number on a scale or the size of clothing you wear.
So many of us take for granted that pregnancy goes according to plan. Pregnancy complications can leave you feeling anxious, sad, and different from everyone else who had easy pregnancies. You may feel like your body has failed you. I want you to know that you are not alone. There are other parents who have endured these struggles and I am here to support you through it.
The perinatal time presents so many challenges, many of which are life-altering. Understanding these challenges and learning how to work through them is so important in navigating your new role as a parent or in welcoming the newest addition to your family. It is very common to experience a deep emotional shift when becoming a parent and sometimes that shift can lead to the need for mental health support. As a counselor, I start by listening to your unique story and then help you find tools and techniques that can get you back to feeling like yourself again and enjoying life. You can feel happy, less stressed and confident again.
Click here to learn more about support for prenatal/postpartum concerns.
My name is Elizabeth Stumpf and I am a Licensed Social Worker. I graduated from Rutgers University with a Masters in Clinical Social Work, and previously received a B.S in Psychology with minors in Patient Navigation and Ethics from Misericordia University. I have completed advanced training in perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, including perinatal grief and loss, from the Seleni Institute.
During my experience with the Mental Health Association of Essex and Morris, I worked in the Intensive Family Support Services program. I have counseled parents whose adult children were diagnosed with a serious mental illness. Much of that work was centered in helping the parents accept the loss of all they had envisioned for themselves and their child, while working with them to build the best possible outcome for their unique situation.
I am here to be a strong member of your support system, helping you to sort through your experience and what it is you need right now. I look forward to helping you and your expanding family.
If you have questions, contact me today for a free initial phone consultation. Ready to make an appointment? I’m available by appointment in our Denville office, as well as by video.
