Therapy for NICU Moms in Washington State
having a premature or sick baby is not the START TO MOTHERHOOD you imagined.
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I offer emotional and mental health support to moms who are trying to make sense of a scary, unexpected, or medically complicated start to motherhood.
Most moms do not imagine the early weeks of motherhood in a hospital room, sitting next to monitors, medical teams, feeding plans, oxygen needs, or updates that can change from one moment to the next. But when a baby is born early, needs NICU care, or comes home with ongoing medical needs, those early days can feel very different from what you hoped for.
I specialize in supporting moms who have had a NICU baby, This includes moms whose baby is currently in the NICU, recently came home from the NICU, and/or still need extra medical care, appointments, specialists, or support.
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No. Your baby does not need to be in the NICU right now for you to start therapy. I support moms while their baby is still in the NICU, after their baby comes home, and later on when the medical crisis may be over but the emotional weight is still there.
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Your baby being okay does not automatically mean you are okay. Many women feel surprised by how much they are still carrying after a NICU stay, especially if the birth itself was scary, rushed, or traumatic. You might feel grateful that the emergency is over while also feeling anxious, angry, numb, disconnected, or overwhelmed by everything that happened. People around you may focus on the baby’s progress and assume the hardest part is over, but your body may still remember the fear, uncertainty, separation, medical updates, and moments when you did not know what would happen next. Therapy gives you a place to talk honestly about the parts of the NICU or birth trauma experience you are still carrying, without minimizing it or rushing yourself to “move on.” You deserve support too, even if your baby is doing well.
How I Support Women Across Washington Who Have NICU Babies, Preemies, and Infants With Medical Complications
Having a baby in the NICU is one of the most emotionally intense and isolating experiences I support in therapy. Whether your baby is currently in the NICU, recently came home, was born early, or needs ongoing medical care, this season can feel all-consuming. You may be trying to recover from birth, understand medical updates, keep up with feeding plans, manage appointments, and parent through fear, uncertainty, and exhaustion. Even when things are improving, your body may still feel like it is waiting for the next scary thing. It’s no wonder you feel overwhelmed, on edge, or unlike yourself.
You're not alone in this. And you don’t have to keep holding it all by yourself.
Having a baby in the NICU can feel terrifying.
Maybe you feel anxious, numb, disconnected, or scared to talk about what happened because you’re afraid you’ll fall apart.So many NICU moms feel guilty that they couldn’t make everything okay, on edge even when things are improving, or surprised by how hard it is to enjoy anything outside of the baby’s care. None of this is your fault. It makes sense that you’re not feeling like yourself; you’re going through something really hard.
You don’t have to make sense of things by yourself.
When we work together, you don’t have to make the NICU experience sound smaller, easier, or more okay than it felt. My approach to therapy for NICU moms is grounded in evidence-based care and supported by specialized perinatal mental health training through Postpartum Support International. I draw from CBT, DBT, somatic skills, narrative therapy, and relational support to help you feel less alone and more like yourself again.
It’s not just about your baby; you deserve support, too.
When your baby needs medical care, it can feel like your own needs disappear. This is space to grieve, rage, question, cry, or just breathe without having to be the strong one for a minute. You can love your baby deeply and still need care of your own. You can be grateful your baby is getting support and still wish someone was checking on you, too. Your baby matters deeply. And so do you. Therapy can help you feel less alone as you care for your baby and yourself.
Therapy for NICU Moms - FAQs
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Yes. Anxiety after a NICU stay can show up as racing thoughts, trouble sleeping, feeling on edge, checking your baby constantly, or feeling like something could go wrong at any moment. Therapy can help you understand what your body has been carrying, learn tools + skills for calming your nervous system, and help you feel more like yourself again.
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Trouble bonding during or after the NICU is more common than many moms realize. When your early days with your baby include fear, separation, medical updates, or watching other people care for your baby in ways you wish you could, connection can feel complicated. Therapy can help you make space for the guilt, grief, pressure, or numbness that may be getting in the way, without blaming you for any of it.
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Yes. If your birth felt scary, rushed, confusing, painful, or out of your control, therapy can help you begin to process what happened. Research shows that up to 70% of parents experience trauma symptoms after a NICU stay. Birth trauma after a NICU stay can affect how you feel in your body, your relationships, your sense of safety, and your confidence as a mom. In therapy, we can move at your pace and make room for the parts of the story you have not had space to fully name yet.
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Yes. I support moms of preemies, NICU babies, and medically complex babies who may need ongoing care. That might include feeding support, oxygen needs, specialists, surgeries, follow-up appointments, developmental concerns, or the constant uncertainty that can come with caring for a baby with medical needs. You do not have to wait until things are “settled” to get support.
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Yes. If you are in a high-risk pregnancy and expecting a NICU stay, therapy can give you space to prepare emotionally for what may be ahead. We can talk through the fear, uncertainty, grief, decision fatigue, and pressure to stay positive when you are actually really scared. You deserve support before the baby arrives, not just after things become hard.
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es. A pregnancy after a NICU stay can bring up so much, even if this pregnancy is different. You may feel hopeful and terrified, or find yourself waiting for something to go wrong. Therapy can help you care for the fear, memories, and what-ifs that may come up as you move through pregnancy again after a medically complicated start to motherhood.
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Yes. NICU stories have been part of my life for as long as I can remember. I was a NICU baby, and I grew up hearing how my NICU stay changed the parenting narrative for my family, especially my mom.
When I became a mom, I experienced a high-risk pregnancy and medical complications after birth, and my son experienced complex medical issues. While his story did not include a NICU stay, it changed the way I experienced early motherhood. Even as a therapist for moms, it was tough to cope, and I developed postpartum anxiety. Even though I’ve healed, I approach motherhood differently because of my experience.
Many of the women I work with in therapy are NICU moms. When it feels helpful, I’m willing to share from both my personal and professional experience. For many moms, just knowing I get it is enough.
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Yes. I offer virtual therapy for NICU moms in Seattle, Tacoma, Bainbridge Island, Kitsap County, and across Washington State. Sessions are online, so you can join from home, the hospital, your car, or wherever you have privacy. Babies are always welcome.
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The first step is simple: schedule a free 20-minute intro call. This is a chance for us to meet, talk through what you’re looking for, and see if we’re a good fit. There’s no pressure — just a space to explore if this support feels right for you.
NURTURING THE SISTERHOOD - THERAPY FOR MOMS ACROSS WASHINGTON STATE
Hi, I’m Dr. Julie Franks — a Perinatal Therapist who Supports NICU Moms Across Washington State
but you can just call me dr. Julie
I’m so glad you’re here. Reaching out for support after a NICU stay, birth trauma, or a medically complicated start to motherhood isn’t easy. I’m glad you found your way here.
I’m a licensed clinical social worker and perinatal mental health therapist specializing in infertility, pregnancy, postpartum, birth trauma, and maternal mental health. I have a doctorate in clinical social work and advanced training through Postpartum Support International and The Touchstone Institute. I bring both professional expertise and lived experience into the therapy space.
Having a baby in the NICU can change the way you see yourself, your baby, your body, your relationships, and motherhood itself. Therapy is a place to talk honestly about the invisible parts of this experience, including the fear, guilt, grief, anger, numbness, and uncertainty so many moms carry quietly. Together, we’ll create space for what happened, what is still happening, and what you need now, so you can feel more like yourself again.
And I don’t just understand this professionally. NICU stories have been part of my life for as long as I can remember. I was a NICU baby, and I grew up hearing how my NICU stay changed the parenting narrative for my family, especially my mom.
When I became a mom, I experienced a high-risk pregnancy and medical complications after birth, and my son experienced complex medical issues. While his story did not include a NICU stay, it changed the way I experienced early motherhood. Even as a therapist for moms, it was tough to cope, and I developed postpartum anxiety. Even though I’ve healed, I approach motherhood differently because of my experience, and I’m willing to share from my personal and professional experience if that’s helpful. For many moms, just knowing I get it is enough.
My practice is 100% virtual and based in Kitsap County. I work with women throughout Seattle, Tacoma, Bainbridge Island, and across Washington State. No commuting to appointments, no pressure, and your babies are always welcome.
If you’re wondering whether therapy for NICU moms could help, let’s talk about it.
Reach out today and we’ll take the first step together.
You Don’t Have to Go Through the NICU Alone. Therapy for NICU Moms Is Available For Women Who Live in Washington State.
This is too much to carry by yourself.
Having a baby in the NICU, a preemie, or an infant with medical complications can be one of the most emotionally intense experiences women face. I support women across Seattle, Tacoma, Bainbridge Island, Kitsap County, and throughout Washington State through secure, virtual therapy sessions.
Wondering if this is the right support for you? Let’s meet and see if we’re a fit.