Therapy for New Moms

Postpartum & Perinatal Therapy in Gainesville

A new mom in an orange dress holding a baby in a kitchen.

You are so not a failure - parenting is just stupidly hard.

Yes, there may be joy and delight in the magic of motherhood - the cuddles and closeness, laughter and fun, and the reverence for the gift of guiding new life.

But yet, here you are, experiencing a loss no one is talking about - a death not honored. The end of who you once were, of who you always knew yourself to be - your longings, dreams, and needs.

You are not the same.

Covered in spit-up and spaghetti sauce and god knows what else. Scrambling from the spill on the carpet to the diaper change, to the shoes to the snacks — trying to keep your head on straight, find your words, always be your best, and never lash out.

Who are you becoming? And who, through the composting of matrescence, have you already become?

Get the guidance and support you need to lift the weight of "failure" off your shoulders…

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Receive practical support for the day-to-day hard moments and the 101 questions about how to parent like a pro.

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Set boundaries (really), and haul self-care out of storage, putting it back on the table where it belongs.

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Bring confidence and self-respect back into your bones, knowing you’re rocking this whole motherhood thing.

Marina Smerling smiling wearing an orange scarf.

How I can help…

Hi, I’m Marina! I’m a licensed marriage and family therapist. I offer down-to-earth, compassionate therapy to help you remember that you are already whole and good despite the mess and chaos.

My approach includes:

✦ Client-Centered therapy
✦ Internal Family Systems (IFS)
✦ Nonviolent Communication
✦ Spiritually-rooted therapy
✦ Mindfulness-based therapy

It’s time to step into your strength, confidence and relaxed knowing. And allow your child to learn from you what it means to live with both strong legs and an open heart on this earth.

It’s easy to get started…

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Step 01.

Schedule your free, 20-minute consultation.

Step 02.

We’ll chat via phone to see if we’re a good fit.

Step 03.

On the call, we’ll schedule your first session.

Session Rates

$150 | 50-minutes

Schedule A Consult →

Frequently Asked Questions

Two red poppies in a field, symbolizing the beauty and fragility of new moms.
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Forget figuring out parenting all alone - you deserve a guide and a witness.

Imagine how it would feel to breathe deep again.

Through our work together, you’ll more clearly see your options when you feel pinned against a wall, and you’ll learn to take breaks (small to start).

By investing in yourself, you can give your child the most important thing they need from you: empathy and presence.

Book a free 20-minute consultation with me, so you can get out of the rut of feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, and disconnected from your true abilities and re-ignite the self-compassion, self-trust, and freedom that is your birthright.