Azalea Mental Health: accessible care for perinatal women

11/08/2025

We’re thrilled to welcome Mark Wilson, LMSW (ICF-ACC, SHRM-SCP) to our team! Mark specializes in men’s, partners’, and couples’ mental health during pregnancy, postpartum, and early parenthood. His work helps families navigate identity shifts, relationship changes, and the transition to parenthood. Learn more: azaleamentalhealth.com/mark In network with CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield & Cigna Healthcare plans (yes, for couples therapy too!)

We provide treatment and support for pregnant people and new parents in Maryland. Perinatal depression, anxiety, and OCD can be treated. Women who have had a painful childhoods, high risk pregnancies, scary or traumatic birth experiences, are at high risk for developing symptoms of PMADs. Request an

10/30/2025

Adequate nutrition is one way in which we can support fertility.

06/22/2025

Meet our team and request an appointment at azaleamentalhealth.com ✨

05/30/2025

HELP US ADVANCE TO THE NEXT ROUND! You can vote once per category, per day — today and tomorrow (through midnight!). LINK IN BIO 🔗

We’re so excited to share that Azalea Mental Health (azaleamentalhealth.com) has been nominated for the 2025 Washington Parent Picks Awards in three categories. 🔗 LINK IN BIO 🔗

🌺Mental Health Provider – DC
🌼Mental Health Provider – Maryland
🌸Mental Health Provider – Virginia

05/08/2025

Whah Are Intrusive Thought, & Why Do They Feel So Real?

Ever had a random, disturbing thought, image or “mini movie”, or “what if” pop into your head? That’s an intrusive thought. Up to 90% of new moms experience intrusive thoughts, due to normal postpartum brain changes.

If intrusive thoughts aren’t just occasional, feel overwhelming or lead you to avoid situations (like stairs or bath time), they could be a sign of perinatal anxiety or OCD.

In people with anxiety or OCD, the “error detection system” (involving the anterior cingulate cortex and prefrontal cortex) may become hyperactive, signaling that something is wrong—even when it’s just a thought.

The body’s stress response (fight or flight) can be triggered by a thought alone, leading to real physical symptoms like a racing heart or shortness of breath, reinforcing the feeling that the thought is dangerous or meaningful.

ocd

05/08/2025

05/08/2025

If an intrusive thought feels scary, upsetting, or totally out of character—it likely is.
These are called ego-dystonic thoughts, and they don’t mean you’re dangerous. The distress you feel is actually a sign of how much you care. Intrusive thoughts often “stick” to what matters most—like keeping your baby safe.

Normal postpartum intrusive thoughts (occur in up to 90% of new moms):
• Brief and occasional
• Go away
Like a fly buzzing around your face—you notice it, feel annoyed or startled, and shoo it away.

Intrusive thoughts that may be a sign of postpartum anxiety or OCD:
• Feel constant or overwhelming
• Lead you to avoid situations (like stairs or bath time)
• Trigger rigid routines to “prevent” something bad from happening
• Are hard to dismiss—you just can’t feel “safe”

05/06/2025

We’re accepting new patients ➡️ link in bio

04/28/2025

Dr. Sharon Dekel’s groundbreaking research sheds light on CB-PTSD (childbirth-related PTSD) and how the symptoms for some moms can be just as intense as those experienced by soldiers returning from war.

Moms with CB-PTSD struggle with fast heartbeats, anxiety, flashbacks, and nightmares—just like those who have been through battle. It’s time to recognize the impact of childbirth trauma and offer more support to those who need it. 🧠💪

If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms like these after childbirth, help is available. You are not alone. 🙏

🔗 Link to study: Dekel, S. et al., 2022
Check out Dr. Dekel’s work at Dekel Lab at MGH Psychiatry

04/19/2025

Joanna & Kate are now in network with United Healhcare/Optum commercial plans! Request an appointment today, link in bio!

04/18/2025

💬 We are now seeing COUPLES in DC & Maryland!

Stephanie Etienne, LGSW is a Gottman Level 1 trained therapist. Make an appointment with Stephanie today! Link in bio.

The Gottman Method is a science-backed way to make love last! 💞

Gottman trained couples learn how to help couples:

🧠 Understand each other better with Love Maps
💬 Fight fair and avoid the Four Horsemen (bad habits in arguments)
❤️ Build friendship + connection
🏠 Create a happy, safe relationship using the Sound Relationship House

This is just their first step in training, but it means they’re ready to help couples feel closer, calmer, and more connected. 🙌

04/16/2025

Honoring legacies, fostering healing, and taking collective action—this , we’re joining to strengthen Black Maternal Health. Black Mamas deserve equitable, culturally affirming care and community-driven solutions that drive lasting change. Join us in advocating for a future where Black Mamas, families, and communities thrive! 💜✨ Learn more at blackmamasmatter.org/bmhw