Momwell - podcast cover

Momwell

Erica Djossamomwell.com
We often enter motherhood envisioning joy, nurturing, peace, and love. But the reality can blindside us. Nobody tells us about Mom Rage, overstimulation, intrusive thoughts, or other mental health struggles. Unfortunately, when we seek help, we might face a lack of support, a system that doesn’t put moms first, and a world that turns a blind eye to the challenges of motherhood. We’re here to change that. We believe that moms deserve access to community, support, and mental health literacy. If you’re struggling with motherhood, you’re not alone–and you’re not failing. On The Momwell Podcast, host and psychotherapist Erica Djossa teaches strategies to help you cope with the psychological and emotional load of motherhood and prioritize your mental health and wellbeing. Erica shares the best kept secrets of the therapy world and interviews other professionals (psychologists, pediatricians, psychiatrists, fertility specialists, lactation consultants, and more!) who provide their expertise to empower you on your motherhood journey.
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Episodes

029: Fostering Independent Baby Sleep with Rosalee Lahaie Hera

Who came up with the saying sleep like a baby? If your baby is anything like mine, they are not good sleepers. I get several questions about how to improve baby sleep and help everyone in the home get more rest. Given that sleep is so fundamental to mom and baby’s wellbeing I have invited Sleep Consultant Rosealee of @babysleeplove to teach some of the fundamentals of fostering independent sleep. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/34DqIFN Book a Free 15 min Consult with a mom therapist: happyasamother.c...

Apr 15, 20201 hrEp. 29

028: Coping with the Mental Load With Dr. Morgan Cutlip

Do you carry the emotional and psychological load of your family? Do you feel burnt out by the never-ending list of things to do in motherhood? Carrying the mental load of managing the house, researching parenting strategies, caring for the family’s emotional wellbeing, and so on is a significant weight and responsibility to bear. Join today's episode where Dr. Morgan Cutlip of @mylovethinks and discuss how to manage and communicate the mental load. Show notes: https://bit.ly/39O9Woc Book a Free...

Apr 08, 202058 minEp. 28

027: Parenting through Covid With Psychologist Dr. Elizabeth Adams

You’re not failing: Working from home full time, parenting full time and educating your child full time is impossible-- The math simply does not add up. That being said, there are some strategies that you can implement to help you cope and manage this wild west of parenting. Covid has required parents to stretch and adapt in ways they haven’t before and Dr. Elizabeth Adams of Trustle is here to share some essential skills for juggling the load. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/2WYdTDV Book a Free 15 m...

Apr 01, 20201 hr 9 minEp. 27

026: Coping with Covid feat. Therapist Bryana Kappa

Covid 19 has presented parents with some of the most challenging circumstances to navigate. Many are feeling the weight of trying to work from home, while also trying to homeschool and do all of the other adulting tasks in between. Join Bryana Kappa of @southbaymommyandme as we discuss ways to set realistic expectations, cope with anxiety and find hope during this challenging time. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/2JdI6XG Book a Free 15 min Consult with a mom therapist: happyasamother.co/wellness Foll...

Mar 25, 20201 hr 4 minEp. 26

025: Fostering Early Language Development with SLP Carly Tulloch

After you unsure if your child is meeting their speech milestones? Do you wonder what red flags to monitor regarding your child’s speech? Are you curious about how you can help support your child’s early language development? Carly Tulloch, speech and language pathologist and founder of Weetalkers joins the podcast today to break down speech milestones and when to seek support. Show notes: https://bit.ly/3aMODnX Book a Free 15 min Consult with a mom therapist: happyasamother.co/wellness Follow H...

Mar 11, 202058 minEp. 25

024: What is the purpose of discipline? With psychotherapist Jessica Vanderwier

Do you struggle with your child’s behaviour? Do you question when to consequence or how to respond appropriately? Do you feel like you are lacking the tools you need to regulate yourself and/or your child during power struggles or meltdowns? In today’s episode registered psychotherapist Jessica Vanderwier is here to discuss how to parenting little kids with big feelings. Tune in to learn about the purpose of discipline, how we need to shift our perspective of our children’s behaviour and if veer...

Mar 04, 202058 minEp. 24

023: Mommy Burnout with Psychologist Dr. Ashurina Ream

Do you feel like you are running on empty? Are you in need of rest but don’t know where to start? Motherhood is a day in, day out commitment that easily lends itself to burnout. Join this week's episode where @psychedmommy Dr. Ashurain Ream and I discuss how to recognize (and prevent) burnout in motherhood and ways to manage it. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/2PrepFZ Book a Free 15 min Consult with a mom therapist: happyasamother.co/wellness Follow Happy as a Mother on Instagram: instagram.com/happy...

Feb 26, 202052 minEp. 23

022: The Power of Sensory Play with Occupational Therapists Dr. Allie Ticktin

Do you ever wonder if your child has sensory sensitivities? Do you feel like your child gets overstimulated? Are you curious about how to foster your child’s independence in play and problem-solving? In this episode occupational therapist, Dr. Allie Tickin teaches us about the eight senses (yes, I said EIGHT), and how to help develop these senses through play. Dr. Allie also helps us to understand what overstimulation of the senses looks like and how to best support our child when this happens. ...

Feb 19, 20201 hr 7 minEp. 22

021: Making Informed Decisions About Baby Sleep With Psychologist Dr. Elizabeth Adams

Are you overwhelmed by the polarizing opinions about baby sleep? Have you been shamed for your choice to co-sleep or your choice to sleep train your baby? Dr. Elizabeth Adams joins the podcast today to help us understand the research around these sleep approaches to help you make informed decisions that work for your family. Spoiler alert: You are allowed to choose a sleep plan for your family, based on your values, despite the strong opinions of others around you. Show notes: https://bit.ly/37i...

Feb 12, 20201 hr 9 minEp. 21

020: Can Postpartum Depression Be Prevented? With Reproductive Psychiatrist Dr. Pooja Lakshmin

I often get asked, “What causes postpartum depression and is there a way to prevent it?” Reproductive psychiatrist Dr. Pooja Lakshmin and I dive deep into these questions and explore the idea of prevention. In this episode, you will learn about what situations, life experience or clinical conditions that make a woman more prone to PPD/PPA and some practical takeaways you can do to better prepare yourself for the transition to motherhood. Show notes: https://bit.ly/2v6b3AO Book a Free 15 min Cons...

Feb 05, 20201 hr 1 minEp. 20

019: Racism and Privilege in Birth Work With Doula Sabia Wade

Did you know that women of colour are at 3-4 times greater risk of dying in childbirth in North America than white women? And it has nothing to do with their socioeconomic status, education and so on. This is a major problem, one that white people -- especially white providers-- need to be paying attention to. Doula Sabia Wade (@thebalckdoula on IG) Joins us today to talk about why this is happening and what we can do TODAY to help make a difference! Show Notes: https://bit.ly/2RxleaA Book a Fre...

Jan 29, 20201 hr 12 minEp. 19

018: Do Dad's experience postpartum depression? With Psychologist Dr. Dan Singley

Do you wonder whether fathers can experience postpartum depression or anxiety? Women often feel like their postpartum support misses the mark, but dad’s are often left out of the conversation entirely. Dad’s go through a profound identity shift alongside mothers and Dr. Dan Singley is here to help unpack the postpartum experience from a father’s perspective. Show notes: https://bit.ly/37csKwS Book a Free 15 min Consult with a mom therapist: happyasamother.co/wellness Follow Happy as a Mother on ...

Jan 22, 202059 minEp. 18

017: Understanding Birth Trauma with Psychologist Dr. Heidi Green

Have you ever debated whether or not you experienced trauma? Have you wondered if the birth of your child was traumatic? Or maybe it was out right distressing and you are unsure how to deal with it. Most people I speak with don’t relate how they are feeling postpartum to the delivery of the baby. Many feel that this must be what birth is and “suck it up.” It is important to acknowledge and validate your feelings in order to get the right treatment. In this episode with Psychologist and trauma sp...

Jan 15, 20201 hr 4 minEp. 17

016: Fostering Independent Play With Therapist Bryana Kappa

Does your child get bored easily? Do they have little tolerance for frustration? Does your child struggle to play independently without your constant reassurance? If so, tune into this week's episode focused on how to foster independent play. Therapist Bryana Kappa helps us to understand practical ways to support independent play and realistic expectations for how much time moms should be engaged in play. We also discuss the importance of open ended toys and which toys promote create and imagina...

Dec 04, 20191 hr 10 minEp. 16

015: Isolation and Loneliness in Motherhood with Psychologist Dr. Ashurina Ream

Have you ever felt alone in motherhood? Have you ever struggled to make new friends or even struggled just to get out of the house on maternity leave? You are not alone. Being a mom can be incredibly isolating and lonely. Join this week's episode where @psychedmommy Dr. Ashurina Ream and I discuss ways to overcome comparison and disconnection in motherhood. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/2qRXmnk Book a Free 15 min Consult with a mom therapist: happyasamother.co/wellness Follow Happy as a Mother on I...

Nov 27, 20191 hr 4 minEp. 15

014: Navigating Intimacy After Children with Psychologist Dr. Tracy Dalgleish

Have you and your partner struggled to find your groove postpartum? Do you find it hard to prioritize each other and sex while juggle all. of. the. roles and responsibilities of being parents? Join the club! So many women I speak with wonder why they have no sex drive or why they struggle with arousal. Sex is a hot topic! Tune in today as Dr. Tracy Dalgleish and I explore the reasons why and help you to better understand your own arousal system! Show notes: https://bit.ly/2O4Ygpi Book a Free 15 ...

Nov 20, 20191 hr 5 minEp. 14

013: Understanding Your Hormones With Naturopathic Dr. Rishma Walji

Have you ever had emotional days and chalked it up to hormones? I know I have! I’ve been growing increasingly curious about hormones and how they intersect with mood and mental health. In today’s episode Naturopathic Dr. Rishma Walji is here to explain how our hormones change month to month with menstruation and also how they change during pregnancy, postpartum and breastfeeding. We also explore signs of hormone imbalance, tune in to learn more. Find show notes here: https://bit.ly/370sWzD Book ...

Nov 13, 201956 minEp. 13

012: Rejecting Diet Culture Mentality with Psychologist Dr. Colleen Reichmann

Do you struggle with your relationship with food or movement? Do you struggle to accept your body the way it is in this moment? Are you constantly striving to reach a certain weight or body shape? Then this episode is for you! Tune in as Psychologist Dr. Colleen Reichmann and I discuss intuitive eating and ways to break free from diet culture. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/2rcXIEY Book a Free 15 min Consult with a mom therapist: happyasamother.co/wellness Follow Happy as a Mother on Instagram: inst...

Nov 06, 20191 hrEp. 12

011: Navigating Boundaries in Motherhood With Therapist Nedra Tawwab

Do you struggle to set boundaries with family members giving unsolicited advice? Do you feel burnt out? Are you constantly trying to make other people happy, including your partner and your children, and find you have nothing left for you at the end of the day? Then this episode is a must listen! Boundaries are an essential form of self care! Operating without them leads to burnout and overwhelm. Tune in today as Nedra Tawwab shares about practical ways to set boundaries in motherhood. Show Note...

Oct 30, 20191 hrEp. 11

010: The Secret to Mindful Mothering with Therapist Bryana Kappa

Have you ever struggled to regulate your own reactions while parenting? Has becoming a parent caused experiences from your past to resurface? Do you wonder how to decide who’s needs to prioritize or how to set healthy boundaries in your home? If any of this resonates, this episode is for you! Join Marriage and Family Therapist Bryana Kappa and your Host Erica Djossa as they discuss consciously navigating motherhood. You can find the show notes here: https://bit.ly/2ByIs7n Book a Free 15 min Cons...

Oct 23, 20191 hr 9 minEp. 10

009: Understanding Postpartum Stress Syndrome with Psychologist Dr. Alice Pickering

Do you ever question whether your adjustment to motherhood is normal? Do you not feel like yourself, but also aren’t clinically depressed or anxious? Do you feel like you have mommy brain or like you are constantly in a fog? Perhaps you are experiencing something called Postpartum Stress Syndrome. Psychologist Dr. Alice Pickering joins us this episode to discuss PPSS and how to distinguish it from other postpartum disorders. This is a topic that is rarely talked about, and you won’t want to miss...

Oct 16, 201955 minEp. 9

008: Tuning Out the Noise and Tuning into Your Child with Psychologist Dr. Elizabeth Adams

Are you overwhelmed by the amount of parenting advice out there? Do you find that different sources offer contradictory information? Are you wanting parenting support but don’t even know where to look or start? Then you are going to love this episode where Dr. Elizabeth Adams helps us to tune out all of the noise and overwhelm of information and talks about tuning into your child's temperament and needs. Parenting is not a one size fits all approach and YOU are the expert of your child! Find sho...

Oct 09, 20191 hr 10 minEp. 8

007: Taking the Stress, Guilt, and Chaos Out of Mealtimes With Toddler Dietitian Kacie Barnes

Do you have a picky eater? Do you have a child who won’t sit to the table? Do you have a toddler who throws food? Then boy oh boy this episode is for you! Toddler dietitian Kacie Barnes share numerous insights in this episode. Her approach to helping moms feel less stressed and guilty about meals times is extremely reassuring and approachable! Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3VxHAaW Book a Free 15 min Consult with a mom therapist: happyasamother.co/wellness Follow Happy as a Mother on Instagram: inst...

Oct 02, 201958 minEp. 7

006: The Happy Postpartum Vagina With OB-GYN Dr. Staci Tanouye

Raise your hand if you have a vagina?! Now raise your hand if you have ever talked about how it looks, the procedures it’s had or when things just don’t feel quite right down there?! Vagina health is not something that many women talk about, but it is incredibly important! Especially in the postpartum period! OB-GYN Dr. Staci Tanouye joins us to discuss ways to have a happy postpartum vagina, which includes knowing when you’re ready for sex postpartum. Get the show notes here: https://bit.ly/2m6...

Sep 22, 201957 minEp. 6

005: Urine Incontinence in Pregnancy and Postpartum With Pelvic Floor PT Jeanice Mitchell

Is it normal to pee a little when you laugh, cough or run? Is urine incontinence during pregnancy and postpartum normal? And if so, how long should it last? Pelvic floor physiotherapist Jeanice Mitchell of My Pelvic Floor Muscles is on the show today to answer all of these questions and so much more! Find the show notes here: https://bit.ly/2m3cCuX Book a Free 15 min Consult with a mom therapist: happyasamother.co/wellness Follow Happy as a Mother on Instagram: instagram.com/happyasamother Sign ...

Sep 21, 201957 minEp. 5

004: Embracing Your Postpartum Body With Dr. Morgan Francis

Do you struggle with postpartum body acceptance? I know I have. Many women struggle with comparing their postpartum bodies to their pre baby bods. After three boys in three and a half years, a tummy full of stretch marks and a pelvis that doesn’t quite function the way it used to, I’ve had to relearn how to love parts of my body that seem foreign. Today, body image expert Dr. Morgan Francis joins this episode to help us better understand body image and how we can learn to embrace our bodies. Fin...

Sep 20, 20191 hr 6 minEp. 4

003: Are Psychiatric Medications an Option While Pregnant or Nursing? With Reproductive Psychiatrist Dr. Kristin Lesseter

There is so much miscommunication around taking medications during pregnancy and while nursing. The reality is that few doctors are thoroughly trained in reproductive psychiatry and many moms gets misinformed when it comes to medication to their mood and anxiety medication. Listen in to today’s episode where Reproductive Psychiatrist Dr. Kristin Lesseter gives research based information about medication during this precious time and shares resources where you can confidently fact check your medi...

Sep 20, 201950 minEp. 3

002: Understanding Mommy Rage with Psychologist Dr. Ashurina Ream

Do you experience mommy rage? Do you ever lose it on the kids or your spouse and wonder when/how your fuse has become so short? Listen in as Dr. Ashurina Ream of Psyched Mommy shares why mothers experience mommy rage and ways that it can be managed. Together we explore whether rage is common, whether it is a symptom of something deeper and whether it is something that can be overcome. Let's learn how to say good bye to mommy rage! Show notes can be found here: https://bit.ly/2m7dP4h Book a Free ...

Sep 20, 201951 minEp. 2

001: Welcome to the Happy as a Mother Podcast With Erica Djossa

Perhaps you are here because you struggled with postpartum depression and anxiety. Perhaps you are here because the adjustment to motherhood wasn’t what you expected. Maybe you have lost yourself in motherhood and miss your old life. Perhaps you are struggling to cope with the load that motherhood brings or you are drowning in mommy guilt or rage. It could be that you have a passion for knowledge and want to be empowered through the expertise of some badass professional women. Whatever the reaso...

Sep 20, 201931 minEp. 1
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