Integrated Behavioral Health Care Offers Hope

Lauren, a 36-year-old mother, found herself drowning in the overwhelming waves of postpartum depression. She was barely sleeping and felt the weight of the world pressing down on her. After her check-up with Dr. Paige Monnet, Lauren was referred to Integrated Behavioral Health. That very day, she was connected with a provider for an initial assessment and received referrals for a psychiatry intake in two weeks and a telehealth provider, ensuring she wouldn’t have to worry about childcare.

For over 10 months, Lauren has been seeing her therapist, Blaine. With the help of medication to stabilize her mood and the support to stop breastfeeding, Lauren began to find her footing again. She started sleeping, her engagement with the world around her improved, and the heavy fog of depression began to lift.

This newfound stability allowed Lauren and Blaine to delve into deeper issues. They talked about the traumatic birth and the obsessive tendencies from her childhood that had resurfaced—her desperate need to control every aspect of her daughter’s life to keep her safe. The journey hasn’t been easy, and there is still much work to be done. But now, Lauren can look at her daughter and smile. She can take her to the park without being paralyzed by depression or fear. She has started to rediscover the joys of life.

The swift actions of her physician, the immediate engagement in care, and the ongoing, trusting relationship with her therapist and psychiatry provider have given Lauren and her daughter a precious gift. They have the gift of healing, allowing Lauren to embrace the beauties of parenthood while equipping her with the coping skills and strength to face its challenges.