WELCOME! Our therapists, Megan Freed, Heather Kiel and Sarah Christian are ready to begin supporting you on your mental health journey. At Maternal Hope Counseling Center, our goal is to support women during reproductive years, and help them feel more like themselves again. Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders are the most common pregnancy complication. We understand that in order for the family to function and be whole, the woman at the heart of the family needs to feel supported and well. We know that you want someone who specializes in treating these issues, and we are well known in the Kalamazoo area for providing excellent care to our clients. Reaching out for help means you are strong and brave, and we are honored to walk with you on your path to healing and wellness.
**We are currently offering both in-person and virtual appointments**
Megan enjoys working with women in reproductive stages of life who may be struggling emotionally with infertility, pregnancy, postpartum or loss. Megan specializes in treating Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders such as anxiety, depression, Bipolar Disorder, panic disorder, PTSD, trauma or grief/loss.
Megan earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Western Michigan University in 2006, and Masters in Social Work from the University of Michigan in 2008. Megan has over 13 years of experience clinically in a variety of settings, including at Community Mental Health, Emergency Room, school-based and outpatient settings.
Megan has extensive training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Interpersonal Therapy (IPT). She has attended numerous trainings provided by Postpartum Support International, and feels passionate about staying educated on ways to provide healing and treatment to her patients. Megan is a certified Perinital Mental Health Counselor (PMH-C) through Postpartum Support International. Megan co-founded and developed the Anchored in Hope Postpartum Therapy Group during her decade-long career at Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services. Megan also taught the Reducing Your Risk for PMAD’s free class at Pine Rest. Megan is an active member of the Kalamazoo PMAD Coalition, collaborating with other local health professionals to improve support for women in their reproductive years. She also provides education in the community as a speaker about perinatal mental health. Megan works to ensure her patients feel heard, cared for, respected and comfortable in the therapeutic environment. She is also trained in teletherapy services, and regularly provides this modality of treatment. Megan has completed training for EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) for the perinatal population.
Megan is ready to welcome you into a healing therapeutic environment where she will walk with you on your journey to feeling more like yourself again.
Heather has a deep passion for treating and caring for women in their reproductive years. Early in her career working as a social worker in a local OB/GYN office, it became glaringly apparent that women experiencing infertility, pregnancy and adjustment to life with a newborn are grossly under supported. Many of Heather’s clients seek therapy for treatment of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) as well as support throughout their fertility journey. Heather aims to provide a safe, supportive and comforting environment to work through the struggles that can come up during these chapters of life. Heather is specialized in treating women experiencing PMADs during times of infertility, pregnancy and postpartum. She also has extensive training in supporting parents through grief and loss associated with the reproductive years.
Heather earned her undergraduate degree in Social Work from Hope College in May 2010 and her Masters in Social Work from Western Michigan University in April 2011. She is a certified Perinatal Mental Health Counselor (PMH-C) through Postpartum Support International and has also completed advanced trainings in CBT, IPT, EMDR and Holding Practices (with Karen Kleiman) in treating the PMAD population. She co-founded and developed the Anchored in Hope Postpartum Therapy Group and regularly provides education about Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders, including facilitating the Reducing Your Risk for PMAD class at the Maternal Hope Counseling Center. She regularly provides community education and advocacy through speaking engagements and events in the greater Kalamazoo area and is an active member of the Kalamazoo PMAD Coalition.
If you are struggling in any capacity during your fertility and family planning journey, you deserve to have support and compassion for the struggles this season in life can bring. You do not need to go through this alone and by reaching out, you are gifting yourself and your family with the support and compassion you deserve.
Sarah has been working as a mental health therapist since earning her Master’s in Social Work from Western Michigan University in 2002. Since earning her degree, she has worked with children, families, and adults both in the United States and the United Kingdom.
In 2017 Sarah began a journey in where she learned more about Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders. She started to attend trainings and increased education about the women, mental health, and childbearing years. Since then, she has completed numerous training courses through Postpartum Support International and well as completing an IPT-perinatal course. Sarah is passionate about her work with women during their journey of fertility, pregnancy and postpartum period. She treats PMAD's such as anxiety, depression, bipolar, PTSD/trauma and grief/loss. Given her years of working with adolescents also continues to see adolescents who struggle with anxiety, depression, bipolar, and trauma.
Sarah met Megan and Heather when they worked at Pine Rest Christian Mental Services together and is honored to join them at their practice, Maternal Hope, in providing support to women struggling with postpartum anxiety and mood disorders. Sarah primarily uses CBT, TF-CBT and IPT when working with individuals. She works on creating a safe and caring environment to support those navigating life changes.
We are conveniently located in Portage near Romence and Westnedge. Our office is on the main level with easy access for strollers and those with disabilities. Parking is available directly in front of the building. To find our office, turn into the west entrance to the Hillside Complex and follow the brick wall up to the top of the hill. Our office is the first building on the right on the upper level.
Are you ready to take the next step in your healing? New and existing patients can use our Client Portal to request an appointment, access therapist availability, complete forms electronically and access invoices. Sign in now to get connected with us on Simple Practice.
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