You are not alone
All mothers, fathers, and families deserve support during pregnancy and parenthood.
Get Help
If you, or a loved one, is suffering with perinatal mood disorders, you’ve come to the right place. Whether you are searching for a therapist within your insurance network, a medication prescriber knowledgeable in prescribing during pregnancy and lactation, or looking for a local support group, we are here to help.
Find a PSI Coordinator
Contact one of our PSI Georgia Support Coordinators, who will help guide you through the process of finding a professional near you with expertise and experience.
North Georgia
Justine Piepgrass
Northern Georgia: Union, Towns, Rabun, Lumpkin, White, Habersham, Stephens, Hart, Franklin, Banks, Dawson, Forsyth, Hall, Jackson, Madison, Elbert, Oglethorpe, Clarke, Oconee, Barrow, Walton Counties
503-396-3677 TEXT OR CALL
justine.psicoordinator@gmail.com
Ashley Lingerfelt
North Georgia: Dade, Walker, Catoosa, Whitfield, Murray, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Gordon, Chattooga, Floyd, Bartow, Cherokee, Paulding, Polk Counties
404-410-6262 TEXT OR CALL
psinorthga@gmail.com
Heather Hastie
Athens Area: Oglethorpe, Madison, Clarke, Greene, Morgan, Oconee & Jackson Counties
706-424-3677 TEXT OR CALL
heatherhastie@gmail.com
Metro Atlanta
Dewanna Cuthbert
Atlanta and Metropolitan Area
404-974-9992 TEXT OR CALL
dewanna.psi@gmail.com
Laura Baldwin
Atlanta and Metropolitan Area
770-609-7261 TEXT OR CALL
laurabaldwinpsi@gmail.com
DeShelle Burrowes
South of Atlanta: Fayette, Coweta, Henry, Clayton, South Fulton, Rockdale and Butts Counties
470-771-2620 TEXT OR CALL
DeShelle.psi@gmail.com
Cassie Owens
North of Atlanta: Dunwoody/Perimeter area
404-493-2112 TEXT OR CALL
cassieowensLPC@gmail.com
Sylvia Mead
West of Atlanta: Carroll County
770-405-9509 TEXT OR CALL
sylviampsi@gmail.com
Central/Southwest Georgia
Keisha Wells
Central-West Georgia: Muscogee (including Fort Benning), Chattahoochee, Harris, Marion, and Russell Counties
762-822-7856 TEXT OR CALL
keishawells.psi@gmail.com
Elizabeth A. Nicholson
Southwest Georgia
404-550-3015 TEXT OR CALL
Elizabeth@kout.com
Southeast Georgia/Savannah
Bridget Cross
Greater Savannah Area: Chatham, Effingham, Bryan Counties
912-495-8549 TEXT OR CALL
bridget@bridgetcrossLCSW.com
Marissa Grace
Greater Savannah Area
912-662-6013 TEXT OR CALL
marissag.psicoordinator@gmail.com
Marissa is on leave until May 1. In her absence, please reach out to Bridget.
Join a Support Group
PSI GA has a wide offering of online support group meetings. Led by trained facilitators (moms or therapists) our FREE support groups will connect you with other parents and provide helpful tools and resources. Whether you are going through stress, adjustment to parenting, Baby Blues, or pregnancy or postpartum depression/anxiety, our groups are here for you. Meetings held daytime & evening, weekdays and weekends.
Mom-led virtual Support Groups
Mama Talk
Motherhood is hard and you should not have to do it alone. Mama Talk is here to remind you that you are a good mom and that taking care of yourself is just as important as changing those diapers. Come join us for in a safe space where you can express your feelings in a judgment free zone. Every 3rd Thursday we offer a bilingual space where you can feel free to speak in Spanish or English.
Audience: Antepartum & Postpartum Women
Contact: Crystal Tarber
Email: crystaltarber@gmail.com
Meeting Frequency: Every 1st & 3rd Thursday 7:00 pm- 8:00pm. EST
Click to Register for the 1st Thursday (ENGLISH)
Click to Register for the 3rd Thursday (BILINGUAL)
Perfectly Imperfect Moms
Should my baby be sleeping this long? How will I know she’s eating enough? Am I holding him too much? Why won’t she stop crying? WHY CAN’T I STOP CRYING?!? Every new or soon-to-be-mother has or will ask these and MANY more questions throughout the pregnancy and postpartum phases. Perfectly Imperfect Moms is a caring and compassionate peer support group especially for mothers who need the assurance that it is perfectly normal to feel imperfect in your mothering skills or how you are adapting to your new life and the whirlwind of changes. This is the place to ask your questions or share your feelings without fear, guilt or shame. Curiosity is welcome – judgment is not. You are invited to add your voice and value to the discussions.
All participants agree and commit to supporting each other with kindness, respect and understanding, particularly when differences in opinions, methodology or beliefs arise.
All meetings begin with a moment of quiet reflection (as quiet as possible) just prior to introductions. I encourage you to show up as your authentic self and allow whatever comes up to come out, knowing your Perfectly Imperfect Sisters are here to hold space for you.
I look forward to getting to know you. Peace and blessings.
Audience: Ante- and Postpartum Mothers (and little ones)
Contact: Teresa Smith
Email: Teresa@PeacefulSoulLLC.com
Phone: 678-796-6525
Meeting Frequency: 2nd and 4th Tuesdays at 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. EST
Click to Register
Modern Mamas ATL-South
Modern Mamas ATL-South is a support group serving postpartum and antepartum mothers in the south-metro Atlanta area, helping to ease the transition into new motherhood.
Audience: Antepartum & Postpartum Women
Contact: Atalya Rajahn
Email: modernmamasatl@gmail.com
Meeting Frequency: Wednesdays at 3:00 p.m. EST
Click to Register
Miraculous Moms
Miraculous Moms is a support group for ante and post-partum moms to come together for support in trying times. We will celebrate each other and all the miraculous things we have done, are doing, and will do in our futures! Miraculous Moms welcomes women of all ages and backgrounds and will provide opportunities to share, support, and stand up for one another. Please join us!
Audience: Antepartum & Postpartum
Contact: Melony Gibson
Email: melony@engageandlead.com
Phone: 678-544-8559
Meeting Frequency: Tuesdays at 6:00 p.m. EST
Click to Register
Happy as a Mother
A supportive meeting space for expecting and current moms to ask questions and share your feelings as you navigate your way through the journey of motherhood. We will support and uplift each other through the trials and tough times, as well as praise each other for our successes and achievements! If you have feelings of loss, uncertainty, overwhelmed, anxiousness, etc this group was designed in mind with those of you who are looking for hope and encouragement.
Audience: Prenatal and postpartum women with young children
Contact: Amber Coopwood & Cierra McLeod
Email: amber.coopwood@gmail.com & cierraandrews015@gmail.com
Meeting Frequency: 1st and 3rd Thursday at 6:00 p.m. EST
Click to Register for the 1st Thursday
Click to Register for the 3rd Thursday
Mothers Tears & Mothers Care
A safe place to discuss fears, emotions, and stressful situations; while receiving support for yourself, your baby, and family.
Audience: Antepartum and Postpartum Moms
Contact: Connie Cooke
Email: northlondon22@aol.com
Meeting Frequency: Every Monday at 7:00 p.m. EST
Click to Register
Therapist/facilitator-led Support Groups
Many of our local supports groups are still meeting, but moved online due to COVID-19. Please see listings below for updated meeting information and instructions to join.
Atlanta Birth Center Motherwise Group
Free drop-in support group for pregnant and postpartum women. You do not need to be a birth center client. All groups are currently meeting online until further notice.
Website: View Website
Meeting Location: Online via Zoom, https://zoom.us/j/321296509
Meeting Frequency: Tuesdays 10:30am
Circle of Hope
For those who are struggling for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. This group provides peer support for mothers by offering a safe, non-judgmental space to share feelings and experiences on their postpartum journey. All groups are currently meeting online until further notice.
1370 Briarcliff Rd, Macon, GA 31211, USA 31211Contact: Rachel Huston
Email: circleofhopeformoms@gmail.com
Meeting Location: Online via Zoom, email for link
Meeting Frequency: 2nd and 4th Thursdays 7:30 p.m.
Emory Decatur Hospital, Baby Talk Breastfeeding
Free peer-to-peer breastfeeding support group led by a lactation consultant. Meet other breastfeeding moms, share tricks and tips, and get questions answered by the experts. All groups are currently meeting online until further notice.
Address: Currently meeting online
Phone: 404-501-3050
Meeting Location: Visit Zoom.com (“Join a Meeting”) Meeting ID is 286-009-746
Meeting Frequency: Every Thursday 11:00am
Emory Decatur Hospital, New Parent Support Group
Free drop-in new parent support group for parents of infants 0-6 months of age. Join for weekly support and conversation with other new parents, including monthly topics such as infant massage, pelvic floor health, perinatal depression/anxiety, and more. Groups are currently meeting online until further notice.
Phone: 404-501-3050
Meeting Location: Online via Zoom, (“Join a Meeting”) Meeting ID is 286-009-746
Meeting Frequency: Thurs 12pm (babies up to 6mo)
Healing Hive
The Healing Hive is here to help mothers find connection during the ever transitional time of pregnancy, motherhood, and parenting. Our goal is to help every mother have a hive she can rely on for support, encouragement, and community. Different Hive groups for different stages: pregnancy, mothers with infants, and mothers with toddlers.
Website: View Website
Meeting Location: Online, click on website to register
Meeting Frequency: Multiple dates, times depending on Hive group selected
Hygge Project
Inclusive, discussion-based free group for moms moms with babies 0-12months. Our mission is to provide a non-judgmental space for new moms to connect and build community through peer support. Groups meet weekly for 10 week sessions. All groups are currently meeting online until further notice.
Address:533 W Howard Ave, Decatur, GA, USA 30030
Contact: Claudia Tillman
Phone: 404-213-0026
Website: View Website
Meeting Location: Online, register through website
Meeting Frequency: Groups will meet weekly for a 2-hour discussion
Mothers in Nature
This is a free open support group for new mothers and pregnant women who would like to relax, bond with their little ones, clear their minds, and practice mindfulness while immersed in nature. Babies and toddlers are encouraged to attend! Groups are currently on pause due to shelter in place order. Please join our Facebook group at “Mothers in Nature: A North Atlanta Free Support Group” to see updates and stay connected.
Address:1200 Woodstock Rd, Roswell, GA 30075
Contact: Ashley
Website: View Facebook Page
Meeting Location: Various Parks in North Fulton, Cobb County
Meeting Frequency: Fridays at 10am
New Mom Support Group
Free support group for new moms to grow, learn, share and struggle with others as they make the transition into motherhood. This is a judgment free zone designed to build you up as a mother and encourage you on the journey. Groups are currently meeting online until further notice.
Contact: Tanya Thomas
Email: tanyathomas@petrichorcounseling.com
Phone: 678-935-6127
Meeting Location: Online via Zoom, https://zoom.us/j/496747936
Meeting Frequency: Every Monday at 7pm
Nurture Community Support
This supportive, non-judgmental group is for moms seeking connection and community during your baby’s first year. Come on over to meet other mamas who are in it with you. We’ll explore topics such as mothering during a pandemic, health and wellness, relationships, mood changes, bonding with your baby, body image, sexuality, and more. Babies are welcome to participate. Groups are currently meeting online until further notice.
Contact: Bridget Cross
Email: bridget@bridgetcrossLCSW.com
Phone: (912) 495-8549
Website: View Website
Meeting Location: Online via Zoom, visit website to register
Meeting Frequency: Saturday mornings at 12pm
Parenting After Infertility Group for New Mothers
Connect with other moms experiencing parenting after infertility.
2801 Buford Highway Northeast, Suite T-60, Atlanta, GA 30329Contact: Tricia Anbinder, LCSW
Email: tricia@triciaanbinder.com
Phone: 404-944-2069
Website: View Website
Perinatal Loss Grief Support Group
665 Duluth Hwy, Lawrenceville, GA, USA 30046Contact: Tonya Lowry, Bereavement Coordinator
Phone: 678-312-4786
Website: View Website
Meeting Location: Gwinnett Women’s Pavilion at GMC-Lawrenceville, GMC Resource Center – Maple Room
Meeting Frequency: Third Tuesday of each month 6:30pm – 8pm
Postpartum Support Group
This postpartum support group is designed to be a safe, non-judgmental place to work through your concerns and to provide peer support. Sponsored by Maternal Gynerations, LLC and led by Nikki Reeves, ICCE, ICBD, PMH-C. Please call or text Nikki with any questions.
Contact: Nikki Reeves
Phone: 770-910-0014
Meeting Location: Online via Zoom,
https://emoryhealthcare.zoom.us/j/672162678
Meeting Frequency: Call or text Nikki for information
Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support Group
Compassionate and professional support after the loss of a child due to miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant death. All groups are co-facilitated by WellStar Women’s Services Chaplain, Rev. Elata Dowdy, M. Div., BCC and Bereavement Supervisor, Roxanne Graham, with material provided by Rachel’s Gift.
320 Kennestone Hospital Boulevard, Marietta, GA 30060Phone: 770-793-8093
Meeting Location: Kennestone Hospital Cancer Center Building, Wellness Studio, 2nd Fl
Meeting Frequency: 2nd Tuesday of each month, 7-8:30pm
Rachel’s Gift Infant Loss Support Group
Open to parents, grandparents, extended family, and friends of miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant death. All groups will meet online until further notice.
Website: View Site to Register
Meeting Location: Online, click link to register
Meeting Frequency: Thursday at 7pm
Rainbow PALS (Pregnancy after Loss Support)
Social support group open to anyone who is considering or experiencing a subsequent pregnancy after loss. Groups are currently on “pause” until further notice. Please call to set-up one-on-one support.
Email: northsidepnl@gmail.com
Phone: 404-851-8177
Website: view our site
Meeting Location: contact northsidepnl@gmail.com for info
Sisters Supporting Sisters
This group is for black pregnant and postpartum mothers. This group is here to help you talk about what you are experiencing with other women like you in a safe space. You will connect with other mothers while being supported. You will learn useful tools and resources to help you move through stress, adjusting to the demands of parenting, mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. We want to support you to live your best life.
Time: 1st and 3rd Thursdays at 7pm
Location: Zoom
Reserve your spot: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=18961223&appointmentType=21331214
Hosted By: Tent Birth and Breastfeeding Services
Other PSI Resources
We do not offer crisis management services. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call 911. For additional safety information, call the toll-free Georgia Crisis & Access Line at 1-800-715-4225 or the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255.
Watch Our 2021 Black Maternal Mental Health Summit
Get Involved
Want to make a difference?
Join us in our work to improve maternal mental health in Georgia! Make a tax-deductible donation today.
PSI-GA relies on members and contributions from the community to promote awareness, prevention, and treatment of maternal mental health issues related to childbearing in Georgia.
Your donations help to:
- Promote awareness of maternal mental health in GA
- Increase training and education of local professionals
- Provide direct support to local moms and families
You may also wish to join PSI for full membership benefits. Contact us if you have any questions about membership. All memberships are tax-deductible.
Volunteer
Climb out of the Darkness
Join PSI-GA as we kick-off the Climb out of the Darkness Georgia events on Saturday, June 26th!!
“Climb Out of the Darkness” is an annual worldwide event held on or near June 21st, the longest day of the year. It’s the day with the most light… and we choose that day to hike, walk, or jog together to symbolize climbing out of the darkness and despair of postpartum depression.
Join Postpartum Support International’s Georgia Chapter as we raise money and awareness so that we can continue to support women across our state when they are in the darkness. Help us shine the light of hope with our words and our advocacy efforts for our fellow mothers to be educated and treated quickly.
Join a Climb in person or virtually. Meet fellow survivors, supporters, & providers.
Visit https://cotd-2021.causevox.com/ to find a climb near you, to donate to a Georgia Climb, or to create your own fundraising page!
Currently, we have 7 climbs throughout Georgia!
- Macon
- Cumming
- Marietta
- Midville
- Atlanta
- Austell
- Savannah
Note: some Climbs will be virtual this year in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
For Professionals
PSI Provider Directory
Postpartum Support International offers an online directory of qualified perinatal mental health professionals. Join the registry and share your listing as a mental health provider, a healthcare provider, childbirth professional, or support group. As a specialized provider, you can tailor your directory listing to reach out to potential clients in your area. Keep your profile up-to-date with practice announcements, new programs and groups, and more!
Perinatal Psychiatric Consult Line
The PSI Perinatal Psychiatric Consult Line is a service provided for medical professionals who have questions about the mental health care related to pregnant and postpartum patients and pre-conception planning. It is staffed by reproductive psychiatrists who are members of PSI and specialists in the treatment of perinatal mental health disorders. The service is free and available by appointment. Call 800-944-4773, ext 4 and we will match you with an appointment. We will respond to your request within one business day. This service is available for medical providers only.
Training Sessions
PSI-GA now offers Perinatal Mental Health trainings to providers who work with pregnant and postpartum women. Choose from 3 presentations:
- FREE one hour lunch n’ learn training on best practices for screening and referring your patients for perinatal mental health challenges.
- Two hour Perinatal Mental Health Signs & Symptoms Presentation ($375): covers how to recognize and identify signs and symptoms of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs)
- One Day Advanced Clinical Skills Training (price upon request): teaches advanced clinical skills for working with perinatal women. Request your presentation or apply for a training scholarship offered by PSI-GA!
Frontline Provider, Certificate & Webinar Trainings
If you are a therapist, OB/GYN, pediatrician, midwife, or other professional who works with pregnant women, new mothers, and their families, consider increasing your professional knowledge and awareness.
Downloadable Materials
Help patients and families learn more about perinatal mental health. Use these handouts and posters in your facility. Click on each link to download and print. If you don’t have a color printer, these files can be used to order from your favorite printer. Or, you may order pre-printed copies of some of our materials for your organization, by requesting through our online request form. Orders are free, but optional donations are appreciated.
About Us
The mission of Postpartum Support International, Georgia Chapter (PSI-GA) is to promote awareness, prevention, and treatment of maternal mental health issues related to childbearing in Georgia.
On a local level, it is the vision of PSI-GA that every woman and family throughout the state will have access to information, social support, and informed professional care to deal with mental health issues related to childbearing.
PSI-GA is an all-volunteer organization and a State Chapter of Postpartum Support International, a 501(c)(3) organization. The Tax ID number of Postpartum Support International and PSI-GA is 77-0196208.
Connect with PSI-GA:
Meet our Board of Directors
Shantrice Jones, MPH, CPH
Board President, DPH Liaison
- Public Health Professional, Researcher, Mom
- Project Manager of Community Engagement, Emory Centers for Training and Technical Assistance
Mica Whitfield, LMSW
Board Vice-President, Advocacy & Government Relations
- Mom, Advocate, Survivor
- State Director, 9to5 Georgia
“I serve on the PSI-GA board because I want to make sure no one suffers in silence. My board service is for every woman that felt alone in her postpartum journey without the support and resources she needed to thrive.”
Colin Gatewood
Treasurer & PSI Liaison
- Dad, thinker, eater
- Director of Asset/Liability Management, FHLBank Atlanta
“I joined the PSI board to help bring focus and attention to the issues surrounding maternal mental health in Georgia, which consistently ranks near the bottom of all national measures related to care and support of new and expectant mothers.”
Clare Schexnyder
Secretary & Constituent Services
- Mom, Entrepreneur, Survivor, Community Organizer
- Founder and CEO, Oh Baby! Fitness
“Exercise, community and counseling saved my life when I had postpartum depression; I’m working with PSI GA to ensure all new and expectant Moms have access to the help and support they need.”
Elise Blasingame
Board Development & Recruitment
- Advocate, Partner, Dog Mom
- Doctoral Student, School of Public and International Affairs, University of Georgia. Former Executive Director at HMHBGA.
“I look forward to working with the Board and volunteers of PSI to make a Georgia where there’s no stigma for women living with PMADs and where they can access the services and resources they need.”
Keisha Reaves
Training Committee Lead
- Entrepreneur, Mom, Runner
- Clinical Director & Owner of Push Thru Therapy
“Black maternal mental health is a huge passion of mine and I wanted to be a part of an organization whose mission is to educate our community about the postpartum experience for mothers. PSI does incredible work to help the entire family and also connect them with resources. I believe in the work that PSI does and I’m excited to be apart to assist in driving the mission of helping mothers.”
Jennifer L. Barkin, M.S., PhD
Corporate Support & Partnerships
- Women’s health advocate, Promoter of Self-Care, Educator, Mentor, and Mom
- Perinatal mental health researcher/professor specializing in the study of postpartum maternal functioning and perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. Developer of the Barkin Index of Maternal Functioning (BIMF).
“Childbirth is a major medical and life event and we need to begin to treat it as such. When we focus solely on the clinical outcomes of the pregnancy, we send a clear message to mothers that the postpartum period should be natural and easy – this message is often contrary to reality.”
Kris Favers, Ed.S
Community Outreach & Events Lead
- Community Advocate for Postpartum
- Marketing Coordinator for Amerigroup Community Care serving families who qualify for Medicaid in the State of Georgia, Member of Atlanta Healthy Start Consortium’s strategy team.
“My reason for serving on the board is to be a resource for moms with postpartum. I want to be able to collaborate with other agencies to bring a wealth of resources to moms and their families.”
Laytrina Clemons-Brown, MSN, RN
Scholarship Coordinator
Laytrina.Clemons-Brown@northside.com
- Nurse Manager in Women’s Services
“It is humbling to be a part of a community of leaders that puts advocacy, for those who cannot always stand for themselves, first. To take care of others is integral to our survival as humans.”
Jose Rodríguez, MD, MBA, FAAP
Pediatric Liaison
- Wellstar Pediatrician/Asthma Champion
- Clinical Professor in Pediatrics at Medical College of Georgia, Adjunct at Morehouse School of Medicine
- Faculty Graduate Medical Education at Wellstar Kennestone Hospital
- Faculty American Academy of Pediatrics Substance Use ECHO Project
“All children need available parents in all sense of the word, especially the first 1000 days of life when children are most sensitive and parents are at most risk”
Jennifer Rutledge Pettie, JD, MPH
jennifer.rutledge.jd.mph@gmail.com
- Legal epidemiologist, Associate Vice Chancellor for Healthcare Policy with the Board of Regents for the University System of Georgia
“As a public health professional, I appreciate that maternal health and mental health are very much linked to morbidity and mortality. For this reason, I am personally committed to improving access to care to women in need – in spite of socioeconomic factors and challenges that too often act as barriers.”
Angela Deportage, MSN-ED, BSN, RN
Peer Support Group Lead
- Professional Nurse, Educator, Advocate, Mentor, Author, Wife & Mother
- Clinical Specialty Educator, Women’s Services, Eastside Medical Center/ Tristar Division
“Over my many years in nursing, I have seen the devastating effects health inequities play on a community’s mental and physical health. As a Labor & Delivery nurse, I have seen how those issues directly affect prenatal and postpartum health. I want to be an advocate & mentor for those communities.”
Shlonda B Smith, IBCLC
Volunteer Coordinator
- Wife, Mom, Survivor, Advocate
- State Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Breastfeeding Coordinator
“I am ecstatic about the opportunity to represent, serve, and advocate for the many families of Georgia impacted by perinatal mood and anxiety disorders with PSI-GA. With our collective voices, expertise, and networks, I have high expectations that we can contribute to the improved well-being of Georgia’s families.”
Janina Daniels, MHSA, CWC1
Climb Out of the Darkness Leader
- Mom, Innovator, PMAD survivor, Advocate, MCH defender
- Atlanta Healthy Start Program Manager, Center for Black Women’s Wellness
“I am honored to serve on the Board of PSI-GA on behalf of all women especially women of color who need to know that they are not alone in this PMAD fight. I am working for those who think they must suffer in silence; I want to change the dynamics of how we support our moms and families!”
Contact Us
For more information or if you are interested in volunteering, please contact us using the form below and we’ll be in touch soon.
We want you to know you are not alone and you are not to blame. Help is available. You will get better.
Helpline: 1.800.944.4773
Text in English: 800-944-4773 | Text en Español: 971-203-7773
