Kendra’s Path to Maternal Mental Health
Kendra’s journey into this specialized work began in a large healthcare system, where she spent over a decade as a generalist therapist. After becoming a mother herself, she was invited to join a reproductive mental health team- a transition that felt deeply personal. Like many new mothers, Kendra found herself surprised by how challenging motherhood could be and how unprepared she felt for the emotional shifts that came with it.
As the pandemic hit and her family grew, Kendra made the intentional decision to focus exclusively on supporting mothers. About three years ago, she launched her private practice, where she now dedicates her work to helping women navigate motherhood in all its complexity.
The Silent Struggles Many Mothers Carry
Across fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum experiences, Kendra sees common themes emerge:
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Loneliness and isolation, especially during infertility or complicated pregnancies
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Grief and loss, whether from unmet expectations, pregnancy loss, or uncertain outcomes
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Pressure to feel joyful, even when pregnancy or early motherhood feels overwhelming
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Emotional overload postpartum, with or without a formal diagnosis like postpartum anxiety or depression
Kendra emphasizes that while some women do experience clinical mental health conditions, many are simply navigating matrescence—the profound emotional, physical, and identity shift into motherhood. Much like adolescence, this transition can bring anxiety, sadness, irritability, and self-doubt—and it deserves compassion, not judgment.
Therapy Isn’t Just for Crisis
One of Kendra’s core messages is that therapy isn’t only for moments of crisis. Many of her clients are “functioning” on the outside, working, parenting, managing daily life, yet feel emotionally depleted, short-fused, or disconnected from themselves.
Rather than asking, “Am I struggling enough for therapy?” Kendra invites mothers to ask:
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How am I really feeling day to day?
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What is the quality of my emotional life?
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Am I carrying more than anyone could reasonably sustain?
Often, therapy becomes a space to untangle unrealistic expectations, internalized guilt, and the societal pressures placed on mothers.
What It’s Like to Work With Kendra
Kendra describes her therapeutic style as warm, flexible, and gently honest. She creates a space where clients feel safe while also being supported in seeing patterns that may be holding them back.
The first session focuses on understanding a client’s full life story—because everything that comes before motherhood influences how we experience it. For those new to therapy, Kendra offers a free phone consultation to ensure the relationship feels like a good fit, knowing that trust and connection are at the heart of meaningful healing.
Sessions are available both in person and via telehealth.
Confidence, Compassion, and Reclaiming Yourself
Kendra hopes her clients leave therapy with more than emotional relief. Her goal is for mothers to walk through the world with confidence—able to define motherhood on their own terms rather than by rigid cultural standards.
She is a passionate advocate for whole-person care, self-compassion, and the belief that caring for yourself is not selfish—it’s essential. Healthy, supported mothers raise healthy, supported children.
Learn More or Schedule a Consultation
If you’d like to learn more or schedule a free phone consultation with Kendra, you can book directly online, send an email, or reach out by phone or text. Kendra and her team are committed to finding a way to support you that fits your needs.
Thank you for being part of this community and for prioritizing your well-being—at every stage of motherhood.
Dr. Madeline Klesk
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