Sunday, May 28, 2006 Update

Local Mental Health Practitioners

The following mental health practitioners are experienced in treating PPD and are available for individual psychotherapy. See below for a list of practitioners accepting Medicaid.


Dolores Caviglia-Fischer, LCSW (Social Worker)
Brooklyn Heights
718.855.8907

Beth Halpern, Ph.D. (Psychologist)
Brooklyn (downtown / Brooklyn Heights)
718.595.0578

Sarah Hartman, MD (Psychiatrist)
Manhattan & Brooklyn (Park Slope)
212.787.1539

Alice Kaltman, LCSW: 917.509.9531 (Social Worker)
Sara Zaslow, LMSW: 212. 330.7450 (Social Worker)
Available for home visits in Brooklyn or office visits at Family Matters NY in Manhattan: 212.502.7979
270 Lafayette Street, Suite 607
New York, N.Y. 10012
www.familymattersny.com

Ellen Krug, MSW, LCSW, CCE (Social Worker)
Brooklyn (Park Slope)
Choiceful Birth and Parenting
718.768.0494

Pam Leck (Psychologist)
Manhattan & Brooklyn
917-385-2341

Romy Nesin, Ph.D. (Psychologist)
Brooklyn (downtown / Brooklyn Heights)
917.418.3870
romynesin@yahoo.com

Jill Plevan, LAc, LCSW (Acupuncturist and Social Worker)
Manhattan (East Village) & Brooklyn (Park Slope)
347.432.0302
jillplevan@msn.com
www.jillplevan.com

Eileen Rahmey, LCSW (Social Worker)
Manhattan & Brooklyn (Park Slope)
212.265.7221

Lois Rose, Ph.D
Brooklyn (downtown / Brooklyn Heights)
718.757.2169

Galia Siegel, Ph.D. (Psychologist)
Available for home visits in Brooklyn
718.781.6991

Maura Sheehy, LCSW (Social Worker)
Brooklyn (Carroll Gardens)
401 Court Street
212.969.0754

Elyse Weiner, MD FAPM (psychiatry, psychotherapy and psychopharmacology)
Manhattan and Brooklyn (Brooklyn Heights)
212.674.2447


The following mental health clinics accept patients with Medicaid. If you do not see a clinic in or near your neighborhood, call 1-(800)LIFENET to speak with an operator who can help you find one.

Bay Ridge Counseling Center / Jewish Board (accepts patients of all faiths and religious backgrounds)
9435 Ridge Blvd (Bay Ridge)
718.238.6444

Brooklyn Psychiatric Centers, Inc
clinics located in Williamsburg/Greenpoint, Flatbush/Sheepshead, Canarsie, Bushwick, and Brooklyn Heights
718.875.5625
www.bpcinc.org

Dyker Heights National Neighborhood Counseling Center
7701 13th Avenue
718.232.1351

Park Slope Center for Mental Health
348 13th Street
718.788.2461
www.parkslopecenter.org

Psych Inc.
1669 Bedford Avenue (Prospect Heights)
718.467.7200

posted by LP @ 3:09 PM  

Who We Are
We are two moms of young boys who each struggled with postpartum depression and anxiety. Between us we experienced insomnia, loss of appetite, over-concern about the baby, suicidal thoughts, escape fantasies, debilitating guilt, worthlessness, agitation, inability to concentrate, hospitalization, hopelessness, excessive crying, anger, confusion and other symptoms associated with postpartum mood disorders, and have made full recoveries.

Molly has a master of social work degree from Southern Connecticut State University, where she conducted research on peer support and also co-led psychoeducational groups.

Chris has been a phone volunteer through Depression After Delivery and The Postpartum Resource Center of NY since 2002 and is a postpartum doula with the Brooklyn-based Birth Day Presence.

What We Do
We established a peer support group in Brooklyn in 2006 as a place where pregnant and postpartum women can get support if they think they are at risk for PPD, are experiencing symptoms and need further help and resources, or are in the care of a therapist and want to attend the group as part of their treatment plan. The group is free, meets twice monthly (usually on the second and fourth Sunday of each month), and babies are welcome to join us. Women are encouraged to attend for as many weeks as they feel the group is helpful, whether once for information or weekly for ongoing support. Please note that the function of this group is to provide a forum for the exchange of peer support. It does not replace care provided by a licensed mental health practitioner.

Emotional support from empathetic listeners is one key part of expediting a woman's recovery from PPD. A support group might be the only place a mom feels safe to share her feelings without being judged or gossiped about, as it is private and confidential. Women in the group share and validate each others experiences, and women further along in the recovery process set an example of wellness and hope to those moms in despair.

For more information about the symptoms of and recovery from postpartum depression please see our section titled "Helpful Websites". We are growing this site and will be adding more educational information, strategies for recovery, and resources for partners, family and friends in the near future.

Postpartum Support International's Universal Message:

You are not alone
This is not your fault
You will feel better