Exploring Perinatal Mental Health with Atlanta Therapist Melissa Light
Why Trauma Informed Support Matters for Parents in Atlanta and Beyond
At Aspen Grove Counseling and Wellness, our work with soon-to-be and new parents is shaped by a simple belief: support during pregnancy and postpartum should feel steady, compassionate, and grounded in real understanding. When one of our clinicians contributes to the wider conversation about perinatal mental health, we are grateful for the chance to share their voice with our community here in Atlanta.
We are highlighting a new guest article by Melissa Light, LPC, NCC, PMH C, written for the Trauma Informed Maternal Health Network. Her reflections offer a thoughtful and accessible look at the emotional realities, barriers, and misconceptions that many parents navigate during pregnancy and postpartum.
Why Melissa’s Perspective Matters
Melissa has spent years supporting birthing people, partners, and families who are navigating complex emotions during a season that often feels both tender and overwhelming. In her article, she writes:
“There is so much information that I wish were common knowledge, beginning with racial disparity.”
She goes on to highlight that Black women in the United States are significantly more likely to experience pregnancy related complications and mental health challenges. These disparities shape not only medical outcomes but the emotional safety of birthing people during pregnancy and postpartum.
For many of the families we support in Atlanta, this reality is personal and familiar. A trauma informed approach is not an optional layer of care. It is a core need.
The Hidden Challenges of Pregnancy and Postpartum
In her piece, Melissa names several areas that often go unnoticed, including personal risk factors for mood disorders. She writes:
“Birthing people can experience a perinatal mental health condition even if they have no prior history of a mood disorder.”
This reminder is crucial. Many parents assume that because they felt emotionally steady during a previous pregnancy, they will feel the same way again. Others believe they should only seek therapy if they have a clear diagnosis or a “big enough” problem. The truth is far more gentle. Mood changes and emotional shifts are common throughout pregnancy and postpartum. You do not need a diagnosis to deserve support.
Melissa also speaks to the emotional experiences of partners, noting that research shows 1 in 10 dads experience postpartum depression. Partners may appear steady on the outside while quietly holding fear, pressure, or exhaustion. In therapy, we often see partners begin to feel the full weight of their experience only once the birthing parent starts to recover.
These layers matter, especially for couples entering early parenthood together.
Stigma, Silence, and the Need for Community
One of the most resonant parts of Melissa’s article is her reflection on stigma. She writes:
“Many new parents worry they will say something that results in their child being taken away, or they fear they must love every part of parenthood.”
These fears often keep parents isolated, even when they have supportive people around them. A trauma informed therapist helps parents sort through these worries without judgment and without rushing their process. The goal is not to fix or pathologize, but to create a space where truth can be spoken safely.
In Atlanta, we see this often with our clients. Parenthood brings identity shifts, relationship changes, and emotional complexity that cannot be measured by a checklist. Community care becomes essential.
What Trauma Informed Care Offers
Melissa describes her work in a way that aligns deeply with our values at AGCW:
“My goal is to be a trusted ally, someone my clients feel comfortable opening up to.”
Trauma informed care recognizes the stories, histories, and systemic forces that shape perinatal experiences. It honors the emotional and physical realities of pregnancy and postpartum, and it acknowledges the structural barriers that may limit access to care.
For families in Atlanta, this may include:
navigating fragmented medical systems
balancing work demands with postpartum needs
rebuilding support networks in a city where extended family may be far away
healing from past trauma while moving into a new season of identity
A trauma informed therapist helps hold these pieces with steadiness and clarity.
Why We Are Sharing Melissa’s Work
As a practice rooted in perinatal mental health, we value opportunities to amplify compassionate, research informed writing that supports parents in Atlanta and across Georgia. Melissa’s article touches on themes we see every day: emotional isolation, internal pressure, racial disparities, and the quiet courage it takes to ask for help.
It also speaks to the future of perinatal care. Melissa writes about the need for stronger collaboration between OBGYNs, doulas, pelvic floor therapists, mental health providers, and other professionals who accompany parents through pregnancy and postpartum. This vision aligns with the community based, relational approach we work hard to cultivate here at Aspen Grove.
Read Melissa’s Full Article
If you are preparing for parenthood or supporting someone who is, Melissa’s full piece offers grounding and insight that may help you feel less alone.
Read the full article on the Trauma Informed Maternal Health Network:
Looking for a Pregnancy or Postpartum Therapist in Atlanta
Whether you are navigating anxiety during pregnancy, adjusting to life with a newborn, processing a difficult birth, or longing for more support in your relationship, therapy can be a steady place to land.
Our Atlanta based pregnancy and postpartum therapists work with individuals and couples throughout Georgia. We offer virtual and in person support for:
perinatal anxiety and depression
birth trauma
identity shifts in parenthood
new parent overwhelm
relationship changes after baby
grief, loss, and reproductive transitions
If you are seeking a trauma informed, grounded, and compassionate approach, our team is here to support you.
Reach out for your free 15-minute consultation call today.
You can also give us a call at 770-954-5476, or email us at info@decaturgacounseling.com, and we’d be happy to hear what is happening and direct you to the right person to help.