When Loving Them is Simple, But the Journey Feels Hard: Therapy and Parent Coaching for the Realities of Mom Life

  • Specialized therapy for postpartum (and pregnancy) depression, anxiety and birth trauma
  • Support for mom burnout and mom rage
  • Couples therapy for new parents
  • Behavioral and play therapy (PCIT) for young children
  • Parent coaching

Therapy: Maryland, DC, Virginia

Parent coaching: Worldwide

What’s stealing your joy?

Motherhood Struggles

Relationship Challenges

My Child’s Behavior

You might be experiencing...

Overwhelming Anxiety or Sadness

Feeling Burnt to a Crisp

Anger, Yelling and Frustration

Disconnection from Your Child or Partner

Frustrated mom tries to work while her child hits her with a pillow. Learn how to combat problem behaviors with PCIT in Maryland.

If we’re being honest, motherhood really sucks sometimes.

You love your kid, but who knew it could be this hard?! You expected some sleepless nights, diaper blowouts and temper tantrums, but not the huge emotional toll that comes with being a mother. You weren’t prepared to be angry with your child for not sleeping, to be so worried about every little thing or for the rage that boils your blood when your kid just won’t do what you need them to do! You also weren’t prepared to be so angry and resentful towards your partner or to mourn the relationship you had before kids.

AND THE MOM GUILT!

Nothing prepared you for the guilt and insecurity, either. The nagging thought that whispers, “you’re screwing it all up”, or the disappointment and sadness that you’re not the mother you want to be.

I get it. I’ve been there. IT SUCKS. 

You’re here because you’re tired of being tired.

You know that pretending everything’s okay when it’s clearly not is overwhelming and exhausting. You’re done with feeling alone, scattered and ’less than’. You’re sick of worrying if everyone can see that you’re failing.

You’re ready to feel confident, empowered and actually enjoy your kids!

I want that for you too.

Motherhood is a skill you can learn (and I should know)...

As a busy mom, I’m in the trenches with you. Sometimes my kid drives me up the wall – and even though I love him so much, I definitely find myself needing time away. So if you feel overwhelmed by your emotions and at a loss for what to do next, I hear you. It might feel impossible now, but I can give you the tools to learn how to manage motherhood in a way that feels sustainable, fulfilling and enjoyable.

Play Video

Work with Orlesa Poole

Motherhood can be a struggle whether your child is unborn, brand new or has been driving you crazy for a number of years. It’s a lifelong journey that evolves over time as your kids grow and your own needs change. I offer online therapy (Maryland, Virginia and DC) and coaching sessions (worldwide), so let’s work together to get you on track to feeling more joy and fulfillment in life.

mother-remote-therapy-call

Therapy for Moms

My solutions focused therapy is perfect for busy, professional moms who are sick of the struggle and ready to feel better and find more joy.

In our Therapy sessions together, we’ll work towards:

  • Managing your stress
  • Achieving a sense of calm
  • Finding the joy in parenting
  • Strategies for deeper, more fulfilling relationships
happy-mom-baby-son-enjoying-video-call-with-family

Parent-Child Therapy

Parent-Child Interaction Therapy gives you the tools to handle your child’s challenging behaviors and emotional struggles. Virtual play therapy focusing on attachment and the parent-child relationship allows you to:

  • Receive therapy in the comfort of your home
  •  Learn skills and see results in real-time
  •  Take an active role in your child’s treatment
  • Get direct therapist observation and feedback in your natural environment
couples therapy photo

Couples Therapy

Navigating the journey of parenthood as a duo? My virtual therapy sessions are tailored for couples embarking on the new, sometimes bumpy, road of parenting. When love meets sleepless nights and baby-induced stress, it’s time to unite, rediscover, and thrive.

In our sessions, we’ll focus on:

  • Strengthening your bond in the face of parenting challenges.
  • Nurturing a mutual understanding of each other’s needs.
  • Rekindling intimacy and connection amidst the chaos.
  • Strategies for effective communication and joint decision-making.
Mom receiving parent coaching

Parent Coaching

Even if you’re the most loving and patient parent, you might find yourself frustrated, confused and embarrassed by your child’s behavior. It doesn’t have to be like this – there is another way.

Parent Coaching is for all parents and can help you to:

  • Feel more in control
  • Promote better behavior
  • Handle your child’s tantrums, and
  • Learn positive discipline and gentle parenting techniques

Feeling overwhelmed? I’m here to listen.

If you’re on the tailend of yet another rage session and at the end of your rope, book your free 15-minute consultation. We’ll talk through your current struggles, your expectations for therapy and coaching and see if we’re a good fit. You’re not obligated to work with me. I just want to make sure you feel heard and can find the right support you need to start feeling empowered as a mom.

Hi, I’m Orlesa

Therapist, coach, wife and mother

While I won’t be changing any diapers or folding that never-ending pile of laundry (honestly, where do all those clothes come from?!), I can show you effective coping strategies and skills you can use to bring calm to the chaos.

Being a mother is hard, but you don’t have to do it alone. Together, we’ll create a plan to tackle every challenge and barrier that’s stealing your joy. The end result? Happiness, peace and contentment – as a mom, partner and woman.

I’m here to guide you out of your current rut to create a life that’s enjoyable and fulfilling (without the guilt).

Qualified, experienced and solutions focused

I’m a Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW & LCSW-C) with specialized clinical experience

Specialist in Perinatal mental health, trauma, parenting and women’s issues

I offer solutions focused therapy that puts YOU in the driver’s seat of your life.

I have a B.A. in Sociology (University of Florida) and a Masters in Social Work (Catholic University of America).

A world full of empowered and joyful mothers

My mission is to help mothers take up space and honor their needs. So often once the novelty of having a new baby in the family (or friend group) has worn off, moms are left on their own to figure out the rest. I want to support you to take back control, no matter where you are in your journey, so you can feel empowered as a mother (and a woman) to love your kids, ask for what you need and live life on your own terms.

Not your typical therapist

Solutions Focused

You’re a busy mom and time is precious. My solutions focused therapy gives you the tools you need to start feeling better and get back on track.

Action Oriented

I won’t just be asking how you felt and what it means. I’ll take it one step further and help you take massive action to experience positive results.

Positively Geared

Being a mom isn’t just about taking care of your kid. It’s also about the mindset you bring to everything you do. I’ll help you develop a positive attitude so that challenges excite you, not scare you.

Listen to the podcast

Managing Motherhood

Get ready for some real talk about the dirty aspects of motherhood that we’re not “supposed” to talk about. Orlesa provides advice as a therapist and mom on how to manage the chaos that is motherhood while maintaining your identity as a woman. Episodes will include interviews with other therapists, industry experts and regular moms – because we’re all just trying to figure this stuff out and we all have something to share.

Specialties

Finding Joy

Do you pour your heart and soul into parenting, working and keeping your house feeling like a home, so much so that at the end of the day, you don’t even know who YOU are anymore? Therapy can help you prioritize your needs and find what brings you joy (and we’ll smash any guilt that arises along the way).

Postpartum Depression

Are you sad and worry that you’re not the parent your child deserves? Together we’ll identify the thought patterns that are keeping you down and reframe them for a more realistic and rational point of view. This shift contributes to building a happiness habit for sustainable long-term results.

Postpartum Anxiety

Do you spend hours thinking up worst-case scenarios about what could happen to you, your partner or your baby? Maybe you feel like you’re doing it all wrong? It’s exhausting, I know.. Therapy can help you stop the anxiety spiral and show you how to live in the present moment so you can embrace the ‘now’.

Parent-Child Interaction Therapy

Are you looking for help with your child’s outbursts and mood swings? Perhaps you’ve tried everything, but they don’t seem happy. Through play, you’ll learn skills to communicate with your child in a way that builds their confidence and decreases challenging behaviors.

A frustrated mom tries to deal with her child representing someone who could benefit from Parent-Child Interactive Therapy in Maryland.

Are you burned out or just tired?

Take this 2-minute quiz to learn your risk for maternal burnout and immediate steps you can take to start thriving in motherhood.

I know you’re exhausted. Help has arrived.

Motherhood is a challenging (understatement of the year) gig and most women don’t receive enough support. My aim is to provide a safe space for women like you to talk about the dark and dirty aspects of being a mom, while also giving you the space to learn skills and empower you every step of the way.

Investing in therapy or coaching might feel like a selfish thing to do – but trust me, when you’re feeling healthy and empowered, your partner and kids will too. You are, after all, the heart and soul of your family and you can’t pour from an empty cup, so I invite you to join me on a journey towards more love – for your kids, for your family and, ultimately, for yourself (and I’ll be here for you, every step of the way).