Does baby sleep make you anxious? Does your anxiety keep you from sleeping? Either or both of these things can be true. The relationship between anxiety and sleep as a new parent is complex. IN this episode I’m joined by Clare Donofrio, a perinatal psychotherapist, to talk with
me about the ways our anxiety shows up in relationship to sleep in early parenting.

Clare shares some ways you can recognize anxiety and OCD in the perinatal period and early parenting. Our conversation focuses on lots of examples of how anxiety and OCD affect parent sleep, sleep decisions,
and the ability to listen to your instincts and parent from your own values (rather than outside expectations). We both share our experiences and support for more normalizing of what’s normal so you can better cope with it – something that benefits all parents, and especially anxious parents. We
talk about the importance of both social support and accessing clinical support for anxiety.

Clare also shares some suggestions for how to start reflecting on your own parenting values if you aren’t sure about them yet. I see a lot of anxious parents in my work and it was so wonderful to have this
conversation. I hope you have some great takeaways.

About Clare
Clare Donofrio, MPH, LCSW-C, PMH-C (she/her) is a perinatal psychotherapist in Maryland. Clare has been serving perinatal populations since she first trained as a full spectrum doula in 2014, and has since gone on to support many families through infertility, abortion, perinatal loss,
pregnancy, postpartum, and parenthood. Clare has a background in social work and public health, and practices from a feminist lens oriented in reproductive justice and decolonization.

Clare has worked with pregnant and postpartum clients and their families in a variety of settings including a hospital, community center, public school, and women's prison. Clare now sees Maryland-based clients virtually as a perinatal therapist, and loves to support women and queer folks navigating anxiety, OCD, and trauma histories while building their families.

You can reach Clare at claredonofriolcswc@gmail.com or visit her website kindhealingmd.com.

The Womb Room -- local support for Baltimore-area families; Clare leads groups here  Expectful -- guided meditations

Connect with Kim
Grab a free sleep myth busting guide and learn more about working with Kim:
https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/
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