Spokane Doula Services is excited to welcome Maria Turner to our first provider spotlight. She is the owner and therapist of As We Thrive Counseling Services, LLC. As a licensed mental health therapist she provides marriage and family counseling, specializing in perinatal maternal mental health: birth trauma, infertility, perinatal (during and after pregnancy) mood disorders including postpartum depression and anxiety, infant and pregnancy loss/bereavement. She also provides parenting support and is certified in Circle of Security Parenting.
Her Why
She was drawn to this profession after the birth of her second daughter. She struggled with postpartum anxiety and postpartum depression. Before this pregnancy they had also lost a baby. Maria received medical support, but was never offered emotional support to help her cope and manage. Left to figure things out on her own… it was a scary time for her and a very confusing time for her husband. The special bond between mother and baby was also delayed. After that, she went to school and received a bachelor’s degree in Social Work. Knowing she wanted to serve at greater levels, lead her to the Marriage and Family counseling program at Gonzaga University. Through her internship experience at CAPA (Childbirth and Parenting Assistance program) once again she realized the lack of support and resources in our community in working with moms and their families, as they traveled through perinatal stages. She knew something had to change and was determined to create the change.
Maria at work
Q: What is your favorite part about your career?
A: I truly enjoy “being with” my clients as they heal, transition, and launch into the new phases of their life. I enjoy seeing moms rediscover hope. I enjoy watching others learn how to pour back into themselves so they can pour into their loved ones.
Q: What is your philosophy/motto?
“As” meaning we are moving in motion, we are working through it…. progress is progress regardless of how small or how big.
“We” we believe we are meant to do life together and in community. You are not alone.
“Thrive” this is our inner drive, push, motivation, and determination. Sometimes we cannot find this within us, and that is ok, this is a great time to let someone else be your thrive.
Also, “because it takes a village,” and “reach out, because we are reaching back.”
Q: What sets you apart from others in your field?
I have training and experience in Perinatal Maternal Mental Health, which is crucial in working with this population. I also accept Medicaid on an unlimited basis, meaning that I do not only reserve a number of spots for Medicaid. Weekend and evening sessions are available.
I have a great relationship with our Spokane birthing community. My office offers a variety of groups for families in our community dedicated to the perinatal stages, which I facilitate. We offer Biblical counseling to those who are of the faith. I am a woman of color in a community that lacks racial diversity.
Q: If you had to choose another career, what would it be and why?
I would not choose another career, but I would love to pursue a PhD to further the research in Maternal Mental Health. I would also like to become a Nurse Practitioner so I am able to prescribe medication to moms who are seeking that intervention. There aren’t many providers educated on medication practices, when it comes to perinatal mood disorders in combination with pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Maria Outside the Office
Maria would love to travel to Europe. She loves exploring ancient places that are full of history. During her travels she has eaten some pretty weird things. For example, she once had lamb testicles… apparently they are a delicacy in Spain. She did not know what she was eating until after she was done eating. She’s also eaten snake. I dont know about you but this gives me a total gross out. 😉
If Maria won a million dollars she would accomplish her vision and dream of creating an As We Thrive “Center” which would provide many services and trainings. I suspect she will accomplish this in her future even without a million dollars. She is obviously a woman who makes things happen!
We asked Maria to choose any super power and she said she would like the power to heal and time travel.
But seriously, just what does Maria do in her spare time? She is zumba dancer, loves a good book, and going out for coffee with friends. She and her husband enjoy going to the movie theater. They are huge DC and Marvel fans!!! Syfy shows like Stranger Things, Lost, SmallVille, and OA are the types of shows Maria enjoys watching. She also enjoys serving on the ministry team at her church.
Her Take Away Message
Maria wants women to know, “You do enough and you are enough. You are valued, treasured, and have infinite worth. You can do hard things. Live life by moments. Leave tomorrows worries for tomorrow. Enjoy the simple joys of life. See yourself through a friends eyes.”
For those who may be struggling with a Perinatal Mood Disorder Maria offers a few suggestions: • Reach out!! Reach out to your support system which can include: doula, midwife, OB, family, and friends. • Attempt to be honest with yourself and others you trust. A Perinatal Mood Disorder can feel scary and can make you feel as you have lost control of your thoughts and emotions. You do not have to bear the weight on your own. To begin healing we have to share our inner experience. • Find a Therapist who has training in Perinatal Mood Disorders. You need to ask your therapist if they have had training in this area and if they say yes you can ask what the training was, this is your mental & emotional health you have every right to interview your therapist . Training in this area is very important. • Exercise, take a pure Omega-3 fatty acid supplement, hire a postpartum doula, attend an empowering and supportive mom group, decrease your to do list, trust the processes of healing- this is not your forever, practice mindfulness using the free app “Calm”, and monitor how much time you are spending on social media
Our Take Away Message
As a little girl, Maria wanted to be a neonatal nurse and an Olympian sprinter but she grew into an amazing mental health professional. She has filled a gap for women and families in the Spokane area who are experiencing perinatal mood disorders such as postpartum depression or mood disorder since 2009.
You can learn more about Maria and As We Thrive here.You can give her a shout out on Facebook here and find her one Instagram here.
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