Staff Spotlight: Karen Peterson, LCSW-R, PMH-C
Karen Peterson is our Clinical Director at Passages. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW-R) and certified in Perinatal Mental Health (PMH-C). Michelle Button, Passages Director, sat down with Karen to discuss her role as a therapist, Clinical Director, and passion for working with moms and families.
What made you decide to become a therapist?
I have always had a natural sensitivity and intuition toward people’s suffering since I was a little girl. I think I empathize deeply and understand others' emotions with ease and compassion. My life experiences and personal challenges grew my desire to help people on a deeper level.
What do you enjoy the most about being a therapist?
There is such fulfillment in witnessing the growth and progress of my clients! Helping them gain insight, develop coping skills, and overcome challenges is incredibly rewarding. The deep connections I form with my clients and the trust they place in me bring a sense of purpose and meaning to my work. It’s a privilege to be a therapist and I never forget this.
What drew you to working at Passages?
As a woman, a professional, a wife and a mother, I have gained an increasing passion for supporting women through various stages of our lives. Passages represents a place where women are nurtured during fertility struggles, pregnancy, postpartum, and loss. The work is so sacred because these common struggles aren't normalized and many women suffer in silence. Passage’s commitment to addressing critical aspects of women's mental health through all stages of life and life transitions is so very inspiring to me.
In addition to being a therapist, you are also the Clinical Director at Passages. Can you tell us a little bit about your focus as the CD?
I truly appreciate the opportunity to shape the practice's vision and mission as the Clinical Director. It’s a gift to work for a practice that’s values and goals for supporting women's mental health align with mine. My leadership role allows me to mentor and support other therapists, which is definitely the best part of this role for me! Being the Clinical Director enables me to be responsive to the needs of our clients and our clinicians to help advance mental health care for women.
Some of my roles and responsibilities as Clinical Director include providing clinical supervision and support to our clinical staff, coordinating staff trainings and workshops, overseeing quality assurance processes, monitoring outcomes and client satisfaction and building partnerships and collaborating with providers and community organizations.
You are certified in Perinatal Mental Health, where did your interest in working with moms and families come from? What do you love about it?
I think my passion for working with mothers and families comes from a deep appreciation for the transformative journey of becoming a mother. As I work with moms adjusting to their new roles and responsibilities, I'm in awe of the joys and pains that come with motherhood. The juxtaposition of feeling so complete and also so untethered by the birth of a new baby is so relatable to me. I'm continually amazed by new moms and what they are capable of both physically and emotionally. I'm so passionate about letting women know just how strong, brave and capable they are. The power in validating the struggles of motherhood for my clients, especially in the postpartum period cannot be understated.
I love being part of a whole family’s journey, witnessing and celebrating their milestones, both big and small. This is one of the greatest joys of being a therapist.
What are some common topics that come up with new moms in sessions?
Wow, there are a lot of topics that come to mind! Here are just some of the common topics that new moms bring to session with me:
Postpartum Adjustment: the range of emotions after giving birth, from joy and excitement to anxiety and sadness
Self-Care and Wellbeing: balancing the needs of a newborn with self-care Relationship Dynamics: the impact of relationships with partners, family members, and friends
Identity and Role Adjustment: questions about identity and purpose
Emotional Health: postpartum depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders Body Image and Self-Esteem: changes in body image and self-esteem
Work-Life Balance: balancing the demands of motherhood with career or other responsibilities
Social Support and Isolation: adjusting to parenthood without a strong support network (worsened during the pandemic)
Grief and Loss: such as the loss of a pregnancy or challenges with fertility
Therapy can provide a safe and nurturing space for moms to explore these topics and many more.
What is one thing you find yourself frequently saying in sessions to my clients that are new or first time moms?
I often remind new moms how “normal” their difficult thoughts and feelings are and that they are not alone. My clients will often hear from me that all good moms face challenges, doubts, and moments of overwhelm. I aim to reassure my new moms that together, we'll find the support and strategies they need to navigate the journey.
Is there a favorite book or other resource you recommend to perinatal clients?
I usually recommend "This Isn't What I Expected: Overcoming Postpartum Depression" by Karen R. Kleiman and "Good Moms Have Scary Thoughts: A Healing Guide to the Secret Fears of New Mothers" by Karen Kleiman. These books can provide valuable support, validation, and practical advice for mothers struggling with postpartum mood and anxiety disorders. It's important for mothers to know that they are not alone and that help is available. I also recommend the Calm or Insight Timer Apps to help clients increase mindfulness and relaxation in their everyday lives.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work? What do you do to de-stress?
I love the beach, love to swim, love to read and have been enjoy gardening in the last few years. I love to watch my kids play sports, especially when the weather is nice. Some other ways that I like to de-stress are by taking a walk, listening to music, journaling, watching something funny on TV, catching up with a friend, and meditation and prayer.
Is there a fun fact you would like to share that people might be surprised by?
I had some interesting work study jobs in college. I worked in the dishroom of our campus dining hall cleaning off hundreds of filthy trays at dinner. My uniform was jeans, a T-shirt, rubber gloves up to my shoulders, a giant rubber apron and sneakers that I needed to leave outside each night. This job wasn’t nearly as gross as the job I was given cleaning out mice cages in a lab on campus. I think I lasted a week.
If there is a mom that is struggling and is reading this, what would you want to say to her?
Postpartum Support International says it best…”You are not alone, you are not to blame and with help, you will be well”.
If you are interested in taking the first step towards starting therapy, click on the link below to schedule a consultation with Karen! She works in both our Setauket and Sayville locations, and offers virtual sessions for anyone in New York State.