It’s time to mother the mothers.
Welcome to the Mama Mental Health Track.
Did you know that the number one complication of childbirth is Postpartum Depression?
By 6 weeks, you’re seen by your OB for a Postpartum visit…but then what? And what if you don’t have a Primary Care Physician? What if you feel like you need to be seen for mental health concerns but you don’t know where to go? Or what if your PCP is booked out weeks and months in advance so you don’t have access to them?
We’re here for you.
Dr. Brooks has a heart for Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders and is Perinatal Mental Health Certified in addition to her Board Certifications. She serves the gap in care for the pregnant and postpartum woman.
Interested? Take a look.
Who: Perinatal Mental Health Track is for women who are either pregnant or anywhere in the first few years postpartum with mental health concerns.
How it works: Because this season of life is so fragile, we want to see you FREQUENTLY, and by taking on a much smaller panel of patients, we can! Dr. Brooks prefers to have an in-depth one-hour intake appointment in the office with the patient and a support person (baby is welcome), and labs will be ordered if deemed appropriate. Multiple close follow up appointments can be in-person or telehealth. She plans to see you for at least 3 months
- To address any abnormal labs
- To discuss the possibility of starting or changing medications
- To provide a space of shared decision making and determine what medication may be best to try
- To be there for any side effects and answer any questions along the way
- To serve as a home base as you navigate this time
If a Psychiatry consult is warranted, Dr. Brooks will place the referral. If counseling is recommended, she will provide a list of local resources. But either way, she still plans to see you for at least three months, because the wait for either of those services is unfortunately longer than anyone would like.
How Many Visits: Members will have unlimited visits and multiple ways to access the doctor. We understand that in this special time, it’s hard to get out of the house, especially with baby/babies in tow! Schedule a telehealth or phone call, or just text message a question or concern through the Patient Portal for a response from Dr. Brooks. Ideally, visits occur at:
- Initial appointment
- 1 Week Follow Up
- 5-6 Week Follow Up
- 10-12 Week Follow Up
But, again, check-ins are unlimited. We get it! We want to provide our patients access.
How long: This track requires a time commitment of at least 3 months, as Dr. Brooks prefers to see these patients often, gauge how they are responding to medication and/or therapy, and to not stop/change physicians at such a fragile time. She wants to be a constant in the sea of healthcare variables, a home-base.
How Much: The Direct Care Model allows for a monthly fee, so there is NEVER A COPAY, regardless of the amount of visits and check-ins. See our Pricing page.
What Happens After 3 Months: If the patient is comfortable with the treatment plan and feels ready to discontinue services, they can do so. Patients can stay on for longer if there are continued mental health concerns. The decision will be between the patient and Dr. Brooks. These patients can also choose to transition to Standard Primary Care Track after 3 months, if so desired. Breastfeeding moms can see Dr. Brooks for lactation concerns as well.
We’re so glad you’re here. Reach out and we can call for a 5 minute introduction and assessment of your needs.
Ladder to the Stars Wellness, LLC 