Finding Support for Perinatal Mental Health Struggles

Thrive • November 20, 2020

New Parents and Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders

Whether going through pregnancy or the adoption process, new parents undergo a rollercoaster ride of emotions as they welcome baby(ies) into their lives. This significant life change isn’t always straightforward or easy to process. Some new parents must deal with difficult birth experiences, unresolved trauma, and fears related to being a parent. Many new parents struggle to bond with their baby, face severe mood imbalances, and struggle to completely welcome the change into their lives.

Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) affect many new parents during the perinatal period, which lasts from pregnancy up to one year following birth. PMADs can refer to depression, anxiety, panic disorder, OCD, bipolar disorder, psychosis, and PTSD during the perinatal period. The term “baby blues,” has a milder connotation than PMADs and can describe similar symptoms, but usually resolve within two weeks. If you are a new parent who feels like the “baby blues,” are interfering with your ability to function normally, you may be struggling with something more severe — a PMAD.  Many new parents struggling with mood imbalances feel isolated, guilty, ashamed and judged. They are not alone. There are many new parents that are coping with similar struggles.

Processing Perinatal Loss and Grief

The loss of a pregnancy or infant is often thought of as a disenfranchised loss. Disenfranchised loss and grief is any loss that is not universally recognized as a significant loss by society. When a loss goes unacknowledged or is minimized or invalidated, it is difficult for the person who is grieving to process and heal.

For example, if someone loses a parent, spouse, or grown child, it is recognized as a significant loss. But when someone suffers the loss of a pet, a job, or related to the perinatal period… miscarriage, stillbirth, molar pregnancy, or even infertility struggles, most people do not recognize the loss as significant because “the child was not born yet”. People might respond with sentiments like, “At least this happened now, before you got to know the baby and become attached.” Or, if an individual were to lose an infant, people may react by saying, “At least it happened early, you can always try again.”

Loss is painful no matter what the stage of life is in which it occurs. Everyone has their own healing process, which usually requires support from others. “There is no one way to grieve.” says Thrive Clinical Director Celia Zisman. “You have to teach people how to be with you, how to treat you and react to you.” Grief can feel lonely, especially when the loss feels minimized by society. You don’t have to grieve alone. Our specialists, programs and support groups offer avenues to processing and healing from the loss of a pregnancy or infant, as well as other disenfranchised losses such as those due to infertility and reproductive issues, as well as struggles with adoption.

Let’s Thrive Together! 

Our new intensive outpatient program for perinatal mental health is called “It Takes a Village”. This program is designed for parents struggling with PMADs, trouble bonding with baby, and adjusting to parenthood. Parents have so much to adjust to, and sometimes one hour of therapy each week is not enough. This program meets five days a week. In addition to individual therapy, the program includes different group therapy activities which are evidenced-based to aid in the recovery process. Being surrounded by people going through similar situations as you is extremely beneficial to help support you and get you on the road to recovery.

Thrive also offers two free support groups for individuals struggling with perinatal mental health. One is specifically tailored to those struggling with grief and loss related to a miscarriage, stillbirth, SIDS, early infant death, molar pregnancies and/or other complications. The other group is intended for parents struggling through pregnancy, postpartum, baby blues and other mental health challenges in the perinatal period.

Zisman often relays the quote by Postpartum International: “You are not alone, you are not to blame, and with help you will get better.” It is okay to feel overwhelmed. It is okay to grieve. It is okay to not be okay. Thrive is here for you. We want to support you and help you heal. Start thriving with us today! Call us at 775-525-8103 to learn more about our perinatal mental health programs and support groups.

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December 2, 2025
Like the fir tree, a symbol of endurance rooted in hope, our Family Inclusive Recovery (FIR) approach reflects the strength that grows when families face challenges together. At our new residential center “The Greenhouse”, FIR is more than a treatment model, it’s a philosophy of healing that places families at the heart of recovery for adolescents and young adults navigating eating disorders, anxiety disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). We believe lasting healing doesn’t happen in isolation; it’s built with the support of families through perseverance, hope, and compassionate care. What Is Family Inclusive Recovery (FIR)? Family Intensive Recovery (FIR) is a specialized and immersive approach that actively engages caregivers as central agents in their child’s healing process. Rather than seeing families as contributors to a problem, we view them as essential partners in recovery. Drawing from two evidence-based frameworks, Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE) and Family-Based Treatment (FBT), FIR helps families cultivate resilience, confidence, and connection throughout the journey to recovery. Grounded in SPACE and FBT Through the SPACE model, parents learn how to recognize and reduce well-intentioned but unhelpful behaviors known as accommodations that can reinforce anxiety and OCD symptoms. By shifting from rescuing to supporting and challenging, parents develop the confidence to guide their child through discomfort, helping them build distress tolerance and self-trust. Simultaneously, Family-Based Treatment (FBT) empowers families to take an active, compassionate role in their child’s nutritional and emotional recovery. Parents learn how to support weight and nutritional restoration, disrupt the eating disorder’s patterns, and reestablish boundaries that promote health and growing autonomy. Together, these approaches strengthen both the individual and family system, allowing recovery to take root within an environment of empathy and optimism. From Blame to Collaboration A cornerstone of the FIR model is removing blame. At Thrive, parents are not viewed as the cause of their child’s struggles, but rather as key partners in recovery. Treatment focuses on joining forces to create a safe, supportive environment where: Families learn to sit with their child's discomfort alongside them without rushing to fix or control it. Parents practice compassionate firmness, setting boundaries grounded in care and safety. Teens and caregivers rebuild trust through open, honest communication. This collaborative framework helps families reestablish a sense of connection and confidence, fostering long-term resilience and open communication that extends beyond the treatment setting. Why Family Matters in Recovery Recovery from eating disorders, OCD, or anxiety isn’t a one-person job, it requires integrated care including the family. When families learn to navigate challenges together, they can model emotional regulation, reinforce healthy boundaries, and create conditions for sustained recovery. Through FIR, we aim to strengthen attachment bonds, reshape family interactions, and empower every member of the family to grow. The result is not only symptom reduction but also a deeper sense of unity, hope, and shared endurance, just like the steadfast fir tree that stands resilient through every season. Moving Toward Hope Family Inclusive Recovery invites caregivers and loved ones to become active participants in change. It’s a journey of learning, letting go, and leaning into love and acceptance. Together, families and clinicians can cultivate the courage in clients to face uncertainty, and in doing so, help them discover that recovery is not just possible, but enduring. If you’d like to learn more about Family Intensive Recovery at The Greenhouse or how we support families in eating disorder and OCD treatment, reach out to our team today.
November 14, 2025
The Greenhouse at Thrive Wellness A New Chapter of Hope and Healing in Nevada On Friday, November 14 , we gathered with our partners at Molina Healthcare to share an important moment for our community. Together, we celebrated Molina’s generous $50,000 grant , an investment that is helping bring The Greenhouse to life. Their support is not only a financial contribution—it’s a statement of belief in the young people and families of Nevada who deserve access to compassionate, evidence-based mental healthcare close to home. This gathering marked the beginning of something we’ve dreamed about for years: a place designed specifically for adolescents and emerging adults to receive the care, connection, and support they need during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. Something New Is Growing In early 2026 , Thrive Wellness will open The Greenhouse , Nevada’s first residential treatment center devoted to adolescents and emerging adults navigating eating disorders, anxiety, and OCD . For too long, families have faced a heartbreaking dilemma—send their child far from home for treatment or go without the specialized care they need. The Greenhouse is our answer to that gap. It will be a place where young people can settle into an environment built for healing, where they are understood, supported, and surrounded by a team that believes in their capacity to recover. The Greenhouse represents a natural extension of our mission. It’s a living expression of our belief that recovery is possible—and that with the right support, families can find their footing again. 
November 11, 2025
Are you looking for a meaningful way to give back this holiday season? Thrive Wellness is excited to continue our 6th Annual Giving Tree Program in collaboration with Perenn Bakery this winter. This year, Thrive Wellness Reno and Perenn Bakery are proud to partner with Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Northern Nevada. The organization supports families with children receiving treatment at area hospitals, providing comfort, hope, and a home-away-from-home during challenging times. Ronald McDonald House Charities offers essential services, removes barriers, strengthens families, and promotes healing when children need healthcare the most. How It Works Simply take one (or a few) tags from the Giving Tree, each listing an item you can purchase and donate for residents of the Ronald McDonald House. Then, drop off your item(s) at one of our designated donation locations by Friday, December 19. Items Needed: Restaurant gift cards Walmart or Target gift cards Games, puzzles, and coloring books Toys (Barbie, Hot Wheels, Lego sets, craft sets, magnet blocks, baby dolls, action figures, journals, infant toys, etc.) Children's books (picture, chapter, and graphic novels) Toiletry sets (for adults) Lotion/self-care gift sets (for adults) Sweatshirts/hoodies (adults, XS-XXL) Scarves, gloves, fuzzy socks, pajamas (all sizes) Infant diapers, onesies, and baby bottles Bulk individually wrapped snacks (granola bars, chips, etc.) Please ensure all donations are new, in original packaging, and unwrapped. Donation Drop-Off Locations Please deliver donations by Friday, December 19, to one of the following sites: Thrive Wellness 201 W Liberty St., Suite 201, Reno, NV 89501 Perenn Grocery 7600 Rancharrah Pkwy, Suite 130, Reno, NV 89511 The first 50 people to return their donations will receive a complimentary ornament gift!  Why We Give Back Through our Giving Tree program, we’re honoring one of our core values at Thrive Wellness: staying rooted in community. This annual tradition allows us to give back to those who need support most during the holiday season. We invite you to join us by taking a tag at any Thrive or Perenn location and helping spread kindness throughout our community. There’s no better way to embrace the holiday spirit than by supporting local families with thoughtful, heartfelt donations. We are deeply grateful for your generosity and continued support. Thank you for helping us make a difference!
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