Sage Tree Therapy

04/20/2026

Trigger Warning for the latest episode of The Pitt, the series finale.
Much of the episode centers around a ‘wild birth’ with someone choosing not to get any prenatal care who ends up being treated for preeclampsia and HELLP Syndrome.

It’s haunting to think how close I came to something like that scene when I was in Antepartum with Claire. It was scary and intense for both Mike and I to watch. 20 years later and those flashbacks and memories still come in clear.

This time I was reminded of the day after Claire was born. I was still in a recovery room in L&D bc I was so sick I guess. I think I was alone, everyone must’ve been visiting Claire in the NICU. Several doctors came in, including my friend , and trusted St Louis OB/GYN Dr Jamie Joyce, who was a resident there at the time I think.

I couldn’t open my eyes to see her but I could hear her voice asking me if I had a boy or a girl. I could barely mouth “girl”. I remember having a terrible headache and feeling super hot. They started putting ice packs all over my body. That’s all I remember. It sucked. I was almost too sick to even be scared.

Anyway - the episode has a positive outcome for both baby and mom - but I always feel compelled to let it be known when there are shows or movies with pregnancy trauma - so there’s my public service announcement.

(This photo was taken the day after she was born, and several hours after the memory I shared above. She was doing so well in the NICU that nurses wheeled her little incubator down to me in recovery so I could hold her. This was over 24-hrs after her birth and I was just getting to hold her for the first time.)

04/20/2026

Some of the most complex obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) compulsions today don’t happen in obvious ways—they happen online.

For many, these behaviors can be easy to overlook or misinterpret, especially as they blend into everyday internet use.

Here are just a few examples of how OCD can show up digitally:

Endless researching: Spending hours Googling or asking AI questions, with no sense of resolution

Subtle reassurance-seeking: Posting or sharing experiences online to gauge reactions or reduce doubt

Excessive security rituals: Repeatedly checking passwords, privacy settings, or potential data breaches

Compulsive scrolling: Searching for content that neutralizes intrusive thoughts or avoids discomfort

Overanalyzing online presence: Re-reading, editing, or deleting messages and posts repeatedly

Digital hoarding: Saving texts, screenshots, or posts compulsively

03/18/2026

What does it mean to be truly seen?

Not analyzed by an algorithm. Not responded to by something trained to predict your words. Not held at a distance by a chatbot that can’t actually feel you.

More and more, people are turning to AI for something that looks like therapy. And it makes sense—it's fast, accessible, and always available.

But is it the same as being known?

A real therapist can notice the shift in your tone, the pause before you answer, the story underneath the story. They can sit with you in discomfort, hold complexity, and respond in ways that aren’t just generated—but felt.

Healing doesn’t just come from being heard. It comes from being in relationship. In a world full of simulations of connection, real human presence matters more than ever.

What do you think? Have you ever used AI for therapy or emotional support? What was your experience like?

03/12/2026

💐 I've proudly worked as a social worker since 2000 and have worked in countless roles. Case Manager, Victim Advocate, Health Educator, Clinic Patient Care, College Professor, Therapist, Public Speaker, Grassroots Advocacy, Political Lobbying, the list goes on and on. That's one of my favorite things about being a social worker, the diversity and marketable experience that can easily be applied to any setting.
Who's your favorite Social Worker or Agency? Tag them below to give them their flowers 💐

02/23/2026

Who needs a playdate?

02/23/2026

⌚Your smartwatch might soon do more than just count your steps or check your heart rate: It could serve as a literal early-warning system for your mental health.

New research from McMaster University suggests that wearable trackers can detect the subtle signs of a depression relapse weeks or even months before an actual episode.

02/23/2026

A study done with local St Louis moms shows the remarkable effectiveness of group therapy when it comes to postpartum depression. Our Clinical Director and Lead Therapist, Elizabeth Stallone-Lowder MSW, LCSW, has facilitated group therapy for almost two decades and can attest to the special energy that is created when a group of women get together to lift each other up. We show up and create the village in group therapy.

02/18/2026

Postpartum women face increased stigma around body image and weight. This stigma is associated with elevated depressive symptoms, stress, and unhealthy behaviors. Approximately 12.7% of women are diagnosed with major depressive disorder during pregnancy; body dissatisfaction is one of the leading causes. This poor body image can be an early predictor of postpartum depression.

What can help?
🩷Promoting body appreciation and acceptance
🩷Identifying and mitigating weight stigma
🩷Implementing emotion regulation interventions like cognitive reapproval
🩷Supporting realistic postpartum narrative that value function over form

(Click for the full article)

Treatments that can help:
⏳Cognitive behavioral therapy
👭Peer support and group therapy
🚴‍♀️Exercise
🧘‍♀️Mindfulness-based interventions, such as breathwork.
😴Sleep, which can be especially difficult.
🍓Nutrition and supplements, as a balanced diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals can support mood regulation.
☕Limiting caffeine and alcohol and staying hydrated can help stabilize energy and mood.
⌚Building quiet time, reducing noise and clutter
🏠Engage with the partner and family.
💡Bright light therapy can help stabilize mood, improve sleep, and reduce fatigue.

What helps when you have poor body image?

02/12/2026

Why do you think that may be?

A new national study of Medicaid enrollees finds that postpartum depression (PPD) rose significantly among women and adolescents living in low-income areas of states that banned or severely restricted abortion following the U.S. Supreme Court's Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization decision.

02/11/2026

Are you a mom who struggles with the decision to take ADHD medication? The Psychiatric Times published a study on the effects of ADHD meds on pregnant people. Here are the key takeways for you to know: (click graphic for link to full article)

🔵ADHD symptoms can worsen during and after pregnancy, necessitating careful consideration of medication continuation.

🔵Stopping ADHD medication rapidly in pregnancy poses risks, requiring specialized care from your doctor.

🔵Recent studies show mixed data on medication effects, with concerns about congenital malformations and preterm birth.

🔵No significant long-term neurodevelopmental risks have been found with continued ADHD medication during pregnancy.

🔵A collaborative risk-risk analysis is essential for informed decision-making between clinicians and patients.

02/05/2026

When breastfeeding brings unexpected distress, you’re not alone. Our new blog post explains Dysphoric Milk Ejection Reflex (D-MER) — what it feels like, why it happens, and how to seek support. : https://wix.to/NVytsai

01/21/2026

🚨🤰New parents don’t always need quick reassurances — they need understanding, validation, and practical support. Our latest blog post from therapist Elizabeth Stallone Lowder walks through what to say (and what to avoid) when someone you love has just had a baby — plus concrete ways to help during the postpartum period. Read more: https://wix.to/GMeFbjL

Elizabeth Stallone-Lowder MSW LCSWHow to Support Someone Struggling After Birth (And What Actually Helps)The postpartum period is often a time when you’re “supposed” to feel grateful, bonded, and happy. Cherish every second right? And sometimes that’s true. But for many parents, postpartum i...