Parenting....Regardless of what stage of it you're in - expecting your first, nurturing one or more as you await another, parenting through the various ages and stages - it can be one of the most exhilarating and joyous experiences you'll ever know. Yet it can also be without a doubt, one of the most demanding and overwhelming - both physically and emotionally.

For most of us, becoming a parent brings up things we weren't aware of: memories and experiences of our own childhood, strengths and personal challenges we didn't know existed within us, doubt about our ability to handle this awesome responsibility. In addition, parenthood often challenges and changes out relationships to spouses or intimate partners, family, friends and even our work and world views.

I understand that these changes can sometimes lead to frustrations and fears. Please know that this is not a personal weakness, that you are not alone in these feelings and that together we can take action to change things.

If these feelings are so common, then why don't people talk about them? Why do so many women feel shame to think they are the only one struggling in this way? And why don't parenting books address it? There are many wonderful books we can turn to which help us with the logistics of parenting, but most of these books do not - and cannot - adequately address the unique inner experience of parenting. For example, how we "ought" to be feeling versus how we really do feel. While we may all turn to these books for a set of tools to help with colic or sibling rivalry, the inner experience is markedly different for each of us, and thus needs to be addressed as such.

If you are feeling overwhelmed by the situation in which you find yourself, or if perhaps you wonder if you may have postpartum depression or another emotional struggle, please know that with the support of a therapy relationship, you can change your situation in a nurturing, healing and timely manner.

I have experienced being both a stay-at-home mother and a working mother, married and divorced parenting as a single mom, and I understand the challenges and joys of each. As a psychologist, I use my clinical skills and expertise, combined with personal experiences gained from motherhood, marriage and life to help you listen to your instincts, find your own voice, and create the changes you desire in your life.

We want to do well by our children yet also try to take care of ourselves and our other relationships. These things can happen together and in fact can be mutually enhancing. Yet we can only give to others and get back from them what we give to ourselves.