Emotional Wellness & Perinatal Mood Disorders

OFFERINGS

Counseling
Whether this is your first time seeking counseling or emotional health services or you are seeking a practitioner who is informed and sensitive about your needs in the childbearing year, Lisa will create a safe and compassionate environment for you.   She can see you at our Ravenswood offices or in your home.  Individual, Couples & Family sessions are available.

Call Lisa for more information or to make an appointment.  888.506-0607 x 713

Psychiatric Evaluation/Intake
If you would like to meet Dr. Brumfield, our staff psychiatrist, to explore her as your managing physician, she is available to accept new patients.  If you have your own team, Dr. Brumfield can still be a meaningful resource for you.  Because we believe that medical management is only part of the care plan that will help you find wellness and balance again, Dr. Brumfield encourages you to make an appointment with Lisa Levens or your own counselor before making an appointmentwith her.  The collaboration between your counselor/psychologist and your physician provides you with the most effective and efficient model of care.   

Call Lisa for more information or referral information.  888.506-0607 x 713

Family Education Sessions
When a loved one is experiencing a perinatal mood disorder, this can be a confusing and overwhelming time for everyone.  Partners and family members need compassionate support and accurate information about the disorder, its impact, and the trajectory for recovery.  Just as you prepared for childbirth together, couples need guidance and information about what to expect, treatment options, and support needs during this time.   In a family education session, a skilled mental health professional will take the time to explain common signs/symptoms, treatment options including integrative wellness approaches, and can answer questions to put everyone at greater ease.  Sessions are available in our Ravenswood offices or in your home. 888.506-0607 x 713

Groups for Expectant and New Moms

Research suggests that social support is a key factor in prevention of mood difficulties, recovery and staying well.

New Mothers Group
Adjustment to Parenthood
This group is driven by your needs and interests.  Topics include: birth story and the impact of the experience; sleep issues; intimacy; parenting in partnership; parenting confidence; coping with crying and more.  You’ll learn coping strategies to move through what we call the ‘baby bubble’ and gain evidence-based approaches to managing stress and the emotions of early parenting.

6 weekly sessions starting June 4, 2013
Tuesday mornings from 10-11:30am
$325

Register online here. Call 888.506-0607 x 713 for more information.

Pregnancy Support Group
Are you experiencing worry, fear, or other overwhelming emotions during your pregnancy? Pregnancy is a time of many unknowns, a time of transition for many women.  It can be a time that bring us many life- changing gifts as we learn to create and accept support and tend to our own needs.   This group will introduce self-care tools for pregnancy and what lies ahead, a safe place to speak your truth about your experience of pregnancy, and evidence-based practices to reduce fear.

3 sessions
Tuesday evenings from 6-7:30pm
$145

Call 888.506-0607 x 713 for more information.

PRACTITIONERS

Lisa Levens is a Licensed Professional Counselor specializing in the unique experiences surrounding the childbearing/child-rearing years.  She has worked in a variety of settings including her current private practice, community mental health agencies and hospitals.  Lisa’s empathic style and integrative approach emphasizes cognitive behavioral and solution-focused methods.

One of Lisa’s passions is the power of a group setting.  She has developed and facilitates different groups to aid prospective parents and their partners entering the often confusing worlds of adoption, infertility, perinatal mood disorder recovery and what she refers to as the ‘baby bubble’.

Lisa graduated in 1994 from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology with a Masters degree in clinical psychology.   Prior to that, she graduated with high honors from Michigan State University with a degree in social sciences.  She is an active member of the American Counseling Association and certified in Perinatal Mood Disorders from the Post Partum Stress Center, in Rosemont Pennsylvania.

“Transitioning into parenthood isn’t typically easy under the best of circumstances, however, providing a safe, compassionate atmosphere, and using accurate information, solid resources and support, can transform one of the most difficult and confusing times into one of self-awareness and strength.”- Lisa Levens, LCPC

Dr. Liz Brumfield
Liz Brumfield, MD works as an integrated partner with Birthways. She is a Board-Certified Psychiatrist providing holistic psychiatric care for more than 20 years.  She graduated Magna cum Laude from Duke University, received her MD from University of Illinois, and completed her Post-Doctorate in Psychiatry from Medical College of Wisconsin.   Dr. Brumfield has held faculty appointments with Northwestern University School of Medicine and at the Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. Additionally, Dr. Brumfield has completed a 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training and a 2 Year Meditation Instruction Training. In addition to her professional consulting work with community agencies such as Debra’s Place and PADS, and volunteer clinical work with Marjorie Kovler Center, she has a private psychiatry practice that is holistic, integrative, and collaborative.  She describes her philosophy:

“A holistic approach involves looking at all areas of your life, including for example:

•    Ongoing stressors
•    Past challenges or trauma
•    Family history
•    Lifestyle and personal habits
•    Mind, body, and spiritual aspects of wellness

An integrative approach involves looking at various treatment modalities and supports to wellness in addition to psychotropic medications.

A collaborative approach involves you and I working in partnership and any other practitioners, including your doula team, that you are working with may also be in this partnership.”
        
Dr. Brumfield, is available to provide compassionate and comprehensive psychiatric services.  With your permission, she is also available to consult with your doula team and outside care providers to insure integrated and coordinated care.

Support and Preparation
To explore private, customized childbirth preparation, labor support, or postpartum doula support if you are at risk for or experiencing anxiety, depression or other mood disorders, call Karen Laing at 888.506-0607 x 701.