Meet Veronica: Wichita Perinatal Mental Health Resource

I feel like I talk to people every day who are interested in working with a therapist as they navigate parenthood, but the effort of finding the right provider is just “one more thing” added to the already high mental load. I recently met a local Wichita therapist specializing in perinatal mental health, and I think you will all love her so I wanted to introduce her on here and recommend her as a great local resource!

Veronica Amaro, LMSW

1. How did you become interested in serving the perinatal population?

VA: I have always been amazed by what the human body is capable of, specifically in terms of carrying and birthing another human. After having such a pleasant experience with my first pregnancy and becoming a mom, I realized that I wanted to do something with babies. However, I knew being a nanny or caregiver was not realistic for me. I began researching and discovered a huge need for education and support for individuals and families in the family planning stages.

2. What is your favorite thing about working with pregnant and postpartum parents?

VA: There are so many things about working with this population! Of course, seeing all the precious little ones is great. But I think for me it boils down to three things: the honor of being trusted by people during some of their most vulnerable states, seeing growth in my clients as they navigate life's changes and getting break down societal barriers to help people discover who they are as parents.

3. What are your thoughts on the prevalence of perinatal mood disorders and the stigma new parents feel regarding seeking help?

VA: The topic of Perinatal Mood and Axniety Disorders (including grieving the loss of a baby) is one of those things that happens too often to be considered "unusual," but way too personal to be considered "common." Approximately 1 in 4 individuals experiences a Perinatal Mood  and Anxiety Disorder during the prenatal and postpartum periods. As awareness in our society increases, stigma has decreased. However, new parents still struggle with things like not wanting to be a burden and not knowing what is typical versus concerning. Another struggle is finding a balance between reaching out for help while maintaining healthy boundaries for unsolicited help/advice. Lastly, experiencing insecurity is a huge barrier for new parents. Seeking help does not mean you are a bad person/parent. For me, it simply means you are aware of your growth areas and are willing to learn and grow.

4. You and I both believe that parents should seek help for perinatal mood disorders before reaching a breaking point. What are some signs that new parents should be on the lookout for?

VA: If readers do not learn anything else, please try to grasp there are other mood and anxiety disorders besides depression. Some other common disorders are Postpartum Anxiety, OCD, Psychosis, and PTSD. Please do not ignore the signs just because they do not fit the depression description.
I would say look for areas where there is an absence of balance that is causing disruption. For example, having no desire to take care of yourself or baby to the point where basic needs are not being met. Alternatively, having the desire to care in excess that interrupts daily living (excessive washing, cleaning, eating, sleeping, worrying, etc.). Other symptoms to look out for would be significant changes in sleeping, eating, and social interactions patterns. Additionally, not wanting to interact with baby, signs of irritability, intrusive thoughts, thoughts of self-harm or harm to others are things to look out for. *Please keep in mind that some things are normal when adjusting to having a new baby at home. If it feels unusual, do not hesitate to reach out to someone you trust such as a doctor, midwife, doula, close friend or family member.

5. Tell us some things about yourself and your family. What do you like to do in your free time?

VA: If families were a trade, I would consider myself a "Jack of All Trades," well almost.... I have biological children, experienced pregnancy loss, am part of a blended family, and have fur babies. Together, my husband and I have three sons and one daughter ranging in ages 13 to 2. We also have two dogs and a pet snail in our home. As a family we enjoy being outdoors, traveling and playing board games. When I am not with my family or working, you can find me reading, drinking something warm (coffee, tea or room temperature water), or dancing.

6. If someone is interested in working with you, how can they reach you? What does it look like to set up an appointment and have a first visit with you?

VA: The best way to make initial contact is by emailing me at veronica@levelwellnessmind.com or by phone at 316-202-2110 option 5. You may also find me on Psychology Today and Zencare. At that point, I schedule free phone consultations where I learn about the general reason for seeking therapy services and talk about my therapy approach. This is also when I discuss insurance and cost options. I currently accept all Medicaid/KanCare plans, AmBetter and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas insurance plans. Private pay options are discussed on a case by case basis. Then we proceed to scheduling our first session. I currently offer in-person and telehealth appointments. During the first session, we do all the basic housekeeping things like signing forms, discussing confidentiality, etc. And then the fun begins! I complete an assessment which consists of me asking a lot of questions. One thing I always tell clients is to attend more than one session before deciding whether a provider is a good fit because the questions and sharing so much personal information with a stranger tends to bring out a sense of vulnerability that makes some people want to retreat. And I always try to let people know that in the event that we are not a good fit, I am happy to help them find a provider to better suit their needs because I do understand that I am not everyone's cup of tea.