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Perinatal Therapy for Women in Reston, Virginia

Infertility, Pregnancy, Birth, and Parenthood.

Alanna Betts, a woman wearing glasses and a leopard print headband, holding a sleeping baby in a striped outfit, sitting by a window.

Prenatal and Postpartum Therapy in Virginia

You Don’t Have to Do This Alone.

Bringing a child into the world is a profound and life-changing experience. While pregnancy and parenthood can be joyful, they can also bring unexpected emotional challenges, stress, and uncertainty.

As a Certified Perinatal Mental Health Specialist (PMH-C), I offer compassionate, specialized support for individuals navigating the mental and emotional complexities of conception, infertility, pregnancy, pregnancy loss, birth, and the postpartum period.

As a mother myself, I understand the immense challenges surrounding the journey from conception to birth to parenting. Combining this experience with my specialized professional training, we work together to develop an understanding of who you are, your values, and how to work within your unique situation to build the fulfilling, balanced life you want.

Support for the journey.

Many individuals benefit from perinatal therapy for:

  • Prenatal Anxiety & Depression – Coping with mood changes, fears, or stress during pregnancy.

  • Postpartum Depression & Anxiety (PMADs) – Support for overwhelming emotions, intrusive thoughts, or feelings of sadness, irritability, or guilt.

  • Birth Trauma & Loss – Healing after a difficult/traumatic birth experience, miscarriage, stillbirth, termination/abortion, or infant loss.

  • Identity & Relationship Changes – Navigating shifts in self-identity, relationships, and roles as a new parent.

  • Fertility & Reproductive Challenges – Emotional support for those experiencing infertility, pregnancy loss, or medical complications.

Reach out today to learn more or schedule a consultation.

EMDR for Birth Trauma

Giving birth can leave emotional imprints that are hard to name. Those moments that felt frightening, violating, or out of your control. Even when others say, “At least you’re both okay,” you might carry memories that feel anything but resolved. Perhaps your thoughts loop back to a single moment. Or your body tenses at reminders you didn’t expect. Maybe you left the birth feeling shaken, disconnected, or like you failed.

Whether your trauma came from a long labor, a medical emergency, a C-section, a loss of control, a NICU stay, difficulty with breastfeeding, a stillbirth, or even feeling unheard or unsupported during birth; those experiences matter. EMDR uses bilateral stimulation (such as eye movements, or tapping), to help your brain process or desensitize the traumatic memory and begin to heal.

I use EMDR as one of the ways we can gently approach these experiences together. EMDR doesn’t ask you to explain everything in words. It doesn’t require you to relive it all. Instead, it supports your brain and nervous system in releasing what’s stuck—so you can feel more at home in your body and more connected to your life now.

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Close-up of a baby's tiny feet with an adult's arm supporting the baby, in a black-and-white photograph.

How I Can Help You

  • ART THERAPY

    Art therapy integrates the creative process of art-making with traditional theories of psychotherapy. Art provides a space for exploring emotions, thoughts, and personal experiences through visual and creative lenses.

    No artistic skills or talent required. Just a willingness to create and experience the process.

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  • PREGNANCY

    I specialize in supporting women as they navigate the profound changes and complex emotions that accompany the journey into motherhood. Together, we’ll explore your experiences, process your feelings, and create personalized strategies to help you adapt to this transformative stage of life with confidence and resilience.

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  • POSTPARTUM

    With advanced training in treating postpartum depression, anxiety, and OCD, I provide compassionate support to help women navigate these challenges. Together, we’ll develop practical strategies to enhance your ability to cope, allowing you to embrace more of the joy and fulfillment that this transformative time can bring.

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  • EMDR

    Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based therapy designed to help individuals process and heal from trauma and negative self-beliefs. Using guided eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation, EMDR helps rewire the brain’s response to past experiences, reducing emotional distress and promoting resilience.

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  • EATING DISORDERS

    Using a trauma-informed and HAES®-aligned therapeutic approach, I help clients on their journey to recovery from eating disorders, disordered eating, and body image challenges. Together, we work toward fostering a healthier relationship with food, body, and self, grounded in compassion and respect.

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  • TRAUMA

    Through the integration of Art Therapy, EMDR, and somatically-focused counseling, I provide a compassionate and holistic approach to healing trauma, PTSD, and C-PTSD. Together, we’ll work to gently process your experiences, reconnect with your inner strength, and cultivate a sense of safety and empowerment in your life.

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Are you ready to start your healing journey?

I’d love to schedule a complimentary 20-minute consultation call to discuss your needs, answer any questions, and determine if we’re the right fit to work together on your journey.