You Thought This Would Feel Different.
Everyone says pregnancy and motherhood are supposed to feel joyful… and nobody told you it would feel like this. You planned, you hoped, you prepared. And yet, you feel anxious, overwhelmed, exhausted. You should not have to stay quiet. You are not alone.
If any of this sounds familiar, you're in the right place.
Nobody told you motherhood would feel like this. You planned, you hoped, you prepared. And yet.
You feel like you should be grateful… so you stay quiet. That ends here.
- You cry and you're not even sure why
- Pregnancy anxiety is running your every thought
- You feel guilty for not feeling “grateful enough”
- You feel disconnected from yourself or your baby
- You miss who you were before
- You're the one everyone depends on, but no one checks on
“I kept telling myself it would pass. It didn’t pass. What changed everything was finally having a therapist who said: what you’re feeling makes complete sense, and there is a way through.”
A mom who came to us at 6 weeks postpartum, now thriving
Your Lead Therapist
Meet Ashanti Shakespeare
Lead Therapist, Maternal Mental Health Program
Ashanti is also a new mother, bringing both personal insight and professional depth to her work. She offers a warm, grounded presence and holds a strong belief that every mother deserves to feel seen and understood. She specializes in the full spectrum of perinatal mental health, from the anxiety that can bloom during pregnancy to the identity shifts and emotional weight that follow delivery.
Her approach is gentle, grounded, and deeply attuned to what mothers are carrying beneath the surface. She understands that many women are used to being the strong one, the dependable one, the one who holds everything together.
You do not have to pretend.
You get to be cared for too.
As part of the Emergent Counseling and Consulting team in Oakland Park, Ashanti draws on the practice’s two decades of trauma-informed, culturally sensitive, strengths-based care, treating the whole person, not just a diagnosis.
What We Offer
Comprehensive care for every stage of your journey
Whether you’re still expecting or deep into the first year, we have support designed specifically for you.
Individual Therapy for Mothers
Personalized sessions to help you process anxiety, fear, and intrusive thoughts; heal from birth or pregnancy-related trauma; rebuild emotional stability; and feel more connected to yourself and your baby.
Individual Sessions AvailableMaternal Support Groups
A space where you can finally say what you have been holding in. Connect with other mothers who understand, reduce feelings of isolation, learn emotional regulation tools, and build a real sense of community.
Group Sessions AvailableFlexible Therapy Options
In-person therapy at our Oakland Park office near Fort Lauderdale, and virtual therapy across all of Broward County and Florida. Telehealth sessions are just as effective and fit around your life as a mother.
In-Person & TeletherapyWhy Emergent
What Makes Our Maternal Mental Health Program Different
Most therapy focuses on talking. We go deeper. Our whole-person approach addresses the emotional, physical, and nervous system impact of motherhood.
Person-Centered & Culturally Sensitive
We understand that maternal mental health doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Culture, family, identity, and history all show up in the delivery room and in the months after. We hold all of that.
Trauma-Informed & Holistic at the Core
Emergent’s entire practice philosophy is trauma-focused and holistic. Your birth experience, past trauma, and nervous system all matter here. We work with your whole story.
EMDR & Somatic Techniques
We integrate mind-body approaches such as EMDR and other somatic-based techniques to help you release what feels stuck, not just talk about it. This is transformation-focused care.
Both Individual and Group Support
Most practices offer one or the other. We offer both, so your care can grow and shift with you. Individual therapy for the private work, group for the community you deserve.
Dedicated Program, Not a Side Service
Ashanti leads this program with focus and intention. You get a therapist whose specialty is you, not someone who sees a few moms between other caseloads.
Stigma-Free, Always
We built this practice for people who have felt judged in clinical spaces before. There is no version of your story that will make us flinch or pull back. You can be honest here.
Who This Program Is For
This program is for you if…
You don’t need to arrive with clarity. You just need to arrive. Our goal is simple: to help you feel like yourself again while learning how to care for your emotional needs without guilt.
- You feel overwhelmed during pregnancy or after birth
- You are constantly anxious or on edge
- You feel disconnected from yourself or your baby
- You are the one everyone depends on, but no one checks on
- You are tired of pretending you are okay
What You Can Expect
When you begin therapy with us, you can expect to feel:
- Seen without judgment
- Supported without pressure
- Understood without having to explain everything
- Empowered to take your life back
Our work is rooted in helping you move from feeling stuck and overwhelmed to feeling grounded, confident, and emotionally steady.
Getting Started
From first inquiry to first session in four simple steps
Something in you led you here. Let’s honor that. We’ve made reaching out as easy as possible.
Reach Out
Call us at (954) 533-4828 or fill out the contact form. No pressure, no commitment.
Free Consultation
Brief phone call to understand your needs and make sure we’re the right fit for you.
Meet Ashanti
Your first session, no agenda, no pressure. Just a conversation about where you are.
Build Your Plan
Together you’ll decide on individual sessions, group participation, or both.
Common Questions
Answers to what’s on your mind
Start Maternal Mental Health Therapy Today.
You do not have to wait until things get worse. You do not have to figure this out on your own. A free consultation call is the only thing standing between you and real support.