Virtue Counseling

12/20/2025

Having a baby is one of life’s most incredible experiences.

It’s also one of the most challenging — filled with mood swings, identity shifts, and major psychological changes.

If your confidence feels shaky right now, that makes sense.

Researchers studied data from 80,000+ Norwegian mothers to understand changes in self-esteem and relationships during pregnancy and motherhood.

What they found surprised a lot of people — but probably won’t surprise new moms.

Self-esteem doesn’t follow a straight line after baby. It often dips during pregnancy, rises briefly after birth, then slowly dips again — and stays lower longer.

This isn’t a failure. It’s a pattern many moms experience.

Relationship satisfaction follows a similar path. It’s often high during pregnancy and gradually declines after baby arrives. This happens for first-time moms and experienced moms. (Less intensity over time — but still very real.)

Self-esteem and relationship satisfaction is closely linked. Possible contributors include:

🎢Hormonal shifts
💤Chronic sleep deprivation
🧠Enormous mental & emotional load

Motherhood is demanding — your nervous system feels it.

12/18/2025

✨ Upcoming CE Training! ✨

Preparing Clients for the Fourth Trimester: Identification of PMADS and Postpartum Planning

Date: Wednesday January 21st Time: 7-8:30pm EST
Where: Virtual Zoom Room
Cost: $55

1.5 Clinical CEs through ASWB and for PMH-C Renewal

Whether you’re just getting started in perinatal mental health or looking to deepen your clinical toolkit, this training is designed to help you confidently prepare clients for the postpartum period.

This workshop has received amazing feedback from past attendees:

“The training was engaging and I think anyone regardless of how much experience they have with the perinatal population can benefit from learning from Jerusha”

“This was excellent. I’m a PMH-C and still learned so much. I highly recommend it!”

Register at link in bio!

Virtue Counseling, [2180], is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: April 3, 2025-April 3, 2027. Social workers completing this course receive 1.5 clinical continuing education credits.

12/16/2025

It’s not you.

Feeding isn’t simple. Feeding a newborn asks a LOT of you:

💗Your body is healing

💗You’re exhausted

💗Baby is learning

Everyone has opinions. It’s no wonder it feels overwhelming…

Whether you breastfeed, bottle-feed, formula-feed, or do a mix — it can feel like someone is judging you.

You’re not doing it wrong.
You’re doing something new.

🆕 Ready for more postpartum planning support so you can keep your expectations in check with reality when baby arrives? Grab my new workbook, “There’s A Fourth Trimester?!” available for purchase on Amazon now! 📘

Keywords — postpartum planning, what to do while planning for postpartum, birth plan, newborn feeding tips, what to expect when you’re expecting, self care for new parents, self care for new moms

12/13/2025

🌟 We got a thumbs up! 🌟

Postpartum Support International says:

“There’s a Fourth Trimester?! by Jerusha Hull is a nice, simple guide to a planning tool to help educate parents on PMADs and plan for the postpartum period – I give it a thumbs up!”

If you’re navigating the postpartum period, my new book is a friendly guide to understanding your emotions, planning ahead, and taking care of YOU in the Fourth Trimester. 💛

📖 Ready to plan for your postpartum journey with confidence? Grab your copy today on Amazon!

Thank you for reviewing There’s A Fourth Trimester?! 🙏📘

12/09/2025

Postpartum support isn’t optional — it’s essential. 🤍
If you’re in the fourth trimester, healing after birth, or supporting an overwhelmed new parent, these are the four pillars every postpartum healing journey needs.

Postpartum isn’t just a “phase”—it’s a full-body, full-heart transformation. And you’re not meant to hold all of it alone.

For a deeper breakdown of these different kinds of support, how to actually ask for help, journaling prompts, and real postpartum education you can use right away, grab the full workbook in my bio

12/04/2025

For new parents and the clinicians who support them…this workbook was made for you.

There’s a Fourth Trimester?! is now available on Amazon — a step-by-step guide to understanding postpartum mood shifts, building a support plan, and knowing when to reach out for help.

📘For parents: clear tools, real examples, and gentle guidance to help you feel more confident and less overwhelmed

📘For clinicians: a practical resource you can use with clients to educate, normalize, and structure postpartum planning.

Click the link in bio to grab your copy on Amazon today!

10/22/2025

You’ve read the baby books, packed the hospital bag, and washed the tiny clothes…

But have you prepared yourself? 🫶

Before your baby arrives, take a few minutes to pause and reflect with these questions every expectant parent should ask.

These aren’t about gear or sleep schedules — they’re about your mental health, your support system, and your needs in those early postpartum weeks.

Each question in this post comes straight from my new workbook, There’s a Fourth Trimester?! — launching in just 2 weeks! 🎉

Because thriving as a parent starts with knowing what you need and how to get it.

📖 Ready to feel more confident heading into postpartum? Tap the link in my bio to join the launch list and be the first to grab your copy.

10/17/2025

We’re so excited to announce that will be exhibiting at the Baby Expo on November 2nd at the beautiful W Hoboken!

Over 50 baby and toddler exhibitors, educational demos, AMAZING RAFFLES, VIP swag bags, exclusive show-only discounts and more.

This is where I’ll be sharing my BRAND NEW postpartum workbook that helps you plan for and thrive in the fourth trimester.

We’re giving away 2 sets of general admission passes to 2 parents to attend the show with a friend or loved one!

To enter:

1. Tag a parent or birthing individual who needs to know about the baby expo in the comments below! (Bonus entries for every friend you tag!)

2. Follow and and

3. Tune in on October 30 ,2025 at 12:00pm EST to see who the two winners are! Each winner will receive 2 tickets each.

Good Luck!!

📸 This beautiful photo is from last year’s expo and was taken by

04/10/2025

I'm featured in this month's New Jersey Family's April/May issue in "Thinking About Daycare versus Hiring a Nanny or Au pair? Here's What to Know." Check me out on page 21!

New Jersey Family's April/May 2025 issue features spring hikes, fairs and festivals, top performing arts programs for kids, the Best NJ Lawyers for Families in 2025 and more.

01/16/2025

🌟 Feel Confident, Connected, and Supported as a New Parent 🌟

Did you know? Parents who feel prepared and supported are better equipped to bond with their baby and embrace those early moments of parenthood. 💕

That’s why I created the How to Thrive in Postpartum: A Practical Workshop—a 90-minute session designed to give you the tools and confidence to navigate the fourth trimester with ease.

💡 In this workshop, you’ll learn:
✨ How to identify and tackle common postpartum challenges.
✨ Steps to build a personalized postpartum plan that works for you that helps reduce the risk for postpartum depression and anxiety.
✨ How to create a strong support system to help you thrive.

📅 Join us online and take the first step toward a smoother, more joyful postpartum journey—all from the comfort of your home.

📲 Click the link in my bio to learn more and sign up today. Let’s make your postpartum experience one of connection, growth, and peace.

08/07/2024

🌸 New Program Alert: Postpartum Preparation for the Fourth Trimester! 🌸

Hey there, expectant parents! 🤰🤱

I’m excited to announce my new self-paced, 90-minute program designed just for you! Whether you’re preparing for your first baby or adding another little one to your family, this program will help you confidently navigate the postpartum period.

What You’ll Get: ✅ Learn to identify postpartum mood disorders early ✅ Build practical skills to communicate effectively with your support system ✅ Equip yourself with tools to handle postpartum challenges with ease

This program is perfect for busy parents-to-be, allowing you to work through it at your own pace and on your own schedule. 🕒

Don’t wait until the fourth trimester to start preparing. Take control of your postpartum journey and ensure a smoother transition into parenthood. 🌼

For more information and to sign up, visit www.virtuecounseling.com or email me at jerusha@virtuecounseling.com.

Let’s make your postpartum experience the best it can be! 💕