You Are Not Alone: How The Motherhood Center of New York Is Transforming Maternal Mental Health Care

Becoming a parent can be exciting, but it can also be really hard. Many moms and birthing people feel sad, anxious, or overwhelmed during pregnancy or after having a baby. These feelings are more common than most people realize, and no one should have to go through them alone. That’s why The Motherhood Center was created - to offer struggling parents care, support, and hope. We were honored to chat with Catherine Birndorf, MD, Co-Founder, CEO, and Medical Director of The Motherhood Center of New York, about what inspired her to start it, what makes it different, and why getting help is a brave and important step.

What inspired you to start The Motherhood Center? Was there a personal moment that sparked the idea?
After two decades as a reproductive psychiatrist, I continually saw a gap in care. Many of my patients were pregnant or postpartum and acutely suffering, but didn’t require inpatient hospitalization. They needed more than a therapist or a medication, more than advice from friends or a lactation consultant. They needed a safe space designed just for them. A place that didn’t exist — yet. The Motherhood Center of New York was born out of that need. I envisioned a comprehensive Day Program where mothers and birthing people could receive specialized treatment, bring their babies with them, and return home to their families each night. My dream was to create the kind of care I wished existed for my own patients, and today, that vision has become a reality.

In your experience, what are some of the biggest misconceptions about maternal mental health?
One of the biggest myths is that pregnancy and new motherhood are always joyful and
instinctual. We’re told that it’s the happiest time of our lives, so when it’s not, parents feel
ashamed or broken. There’s this false narrative that “good mothers” don’t struggle; that if
you’re anxious, overwhelmed, or depressed, there must be something wrong with you.
The truth is: maternal mental health challenges are incredibly common, and they have nothing to do with being a “good” or “bad” parent. Another misconception is that postpartum depression is the only diagnosis. In reality, PMADs (Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders) include a spectrum of conditions like anxiety, OCD, PTSD, and even postpartum psychosis.

How do you see the conversation around postpartum depression and anxiety changing in today’s world?
There’s more awareness now than ever, and that’s a good thing. We’re seeing the stigma start to break down as more people share their stories, and as maternal mental health enters mainstream conversations. But there’s still work to do. Too many women and birthing people suffer in silence, afraid to speak up or unsure where to turn.
At The Motherhood Center, we believe in normalizing the not-so-pretty parts of motherhood. We meet mothers where they are by validating their experiences and offering specialized care that honors their journey. Our goal is to keep pushing the conversation forward until perinatal mental health is recognized as essential, not optional.

What makes The Motherhood Center different from other maternal mental health resources?
The Motherhood Center offers a unique level of care that exists nowhere else in New York State. Our signature Day Program is a five-day-a-week, intensive outpatient treatment model that includes therapy, medication management, parenting support, and even an on-site nursery —allowing parents to receive care while staying close to their babies.
Beyond that, we provide comprehensive outpatient services, virtual support groups, and
education for both families and providers. Every member of our team is trained specifically in perinatal mental health. We are not a general mental health clinic — we are maternal mental health experts who treat the whole person with deep clinical compassion.

What are some signs that a new or expecting mom might benefit from reaching out for support?
While many people experience the “baby blues,” symptoms that persist or intensify beyond two weeks may signal a PMAD. Common signs include:

• Constant worry or panic
• Sadness or hopelessness
• Feeling disconnected from your baby
• Difficulty sleeping or eating (not related to the baby’s schedule)
• Intrusive thoughts
• Feeling like you’re not yourself

If you’re wondering whether what you’re feeling is “normal,” that’s already a reason to reach out. We always say: If you’re not feeling like yourself, or like you’re struggling to enjoy things you used to, help is available, and it works.

How do you train and support your team to hold space for mothers during such a vulnerable time?
At The Motherhood Center, we’re deeply committed to clinical excellence and trauma-informed care. Our staff includes reproductive psychiatrists, perinatal psychologists, social workers, and trained support staff, all of whom receive ongoing education in PMADs, racial equity, and culturally responsive care.

We also invest in supervision, mentorship, and wellness for our team. Caring for others during vulnerable moments requires us to care for ourselves and each other. We are proud to be training the next generation of maternal mental health clinicians, ensuring that our standards of care continue for years to come.

What role do community and connection play in healing during the postpartum period?
Connection is everything. One of the most powerful messages we hear in our groups and day programs is: “You are not alone.” Maternal mental health challenges can feel deeply isolating, but when mothers/birthing people come together and share their stories, healing begins. Our therapeutic model is built on this idea of communal care — being witnessed, understood, and supported by others who’ve been through something similar. That sense of solidarity can shift someone from feeling broken to feeling held.

It’s not just treatment, it’s transformation. If you could give one message to every mom who's struggling in silence, what would it be? You are not a bad mother. You are not failing. You are struggling with a medical condition, and you can get better. There is no shame in needing help. In fact, reaching out is one of the bravest and most loving things you can do for yourself and your baby. The version of motherhood/parenthood that’s all smiles and bliss isn’t real. Real parenthood is messy, complicated, and hard. And you deserve support through all of it.

What’s next for The Motherhood Center? Any upcoming programs or goals you're excited about?
As we enter our eighth year, we’re continuing to expand our reach, both virtually and in person, so that even more mothers/birthing people across the tri-state area (and beyond) can access life-saving care.

We’re also strengthening our provider education and clinical training programs to ensure OB-GYNs, pediatricians, and mental health professionals can recognize PMADs and make early, effective referrals. Ultimately, our goal is to make maternal mental health care a standard part of perinatal care everywhere, and we won’t stop until it is.

If you’re not feeling like yourself, or if parenting feels harder than you expected, you’re not alone — and there is help. The Motherhood Center is here to support you with care that truly understands what you're going through. To learn more, visit www.themotherhoodcenter.com