All Tides Raise Boats
Rooted in Community: Honoring the Helpers Who Walk Beside Families
Surrounded by colleagues and community resources, I found myself standing in a parking lot transformed into a whimsical world of nursery rhymes. The annual Northern Utah Doulas Trunk or Treat had once again turned a simple gathering into something extraordinary—trunks decorated with care, children laughing in costume, professionals in themed outfits ready with candy and smiles. Amidst the laughter, music, and the familiar faces of people who show up year after year, I paused and took it all in.
There’s something profoundly moving about moments like this—where joy and connection are wrapped up in something that feels so simple. Yet beneath the fun, what’s really being celebrated is community. The kind of community that rallies around families in some of life’s most tender, transformative, and sometimes heartbreaking seasons.
As I looked around, it struck me again how special this collective of helpers is.
This isn’t just a group of professionals doing their job. This is a community of doulas, therapists, midwives, lactation consultants, nurses, peer supporters, and advocates—people who have, in many cases, found their calling not through textbooks or degrees alone, but through lived experience.
Many of us arrived in this work by way of hardship—by walking through our own fire.
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The Stories Behind the Service
In the field of perinatal mental health and support, few people choose this work lightly. Beneath the professional titles, you often find stories of loss, resilience, and deep transformation.
Some come to it after navigating a postpartum mood or anxiety disorder, realizing only later that what they endured had a name—and that healing is possible when the right help is within reach.
Others carry the weight of misdiagnosis or inadequate treatment, remembering vividly what it felt like to be unseen or dismissed during one of life’s most vulnerable chapters.
Some have known the ache of pregnancy or infant loss, the quiet devastation that changes the shape of your heart forever.
Others have weathered traumatic birth experiences, moments that left marks invisible to the eye but unforgettable in the body and mind.
These are not easy stories to hold. And yet, they are the foundation upon which much of our local perinatal community stands.
It is not uncommon to hear someone say:
“I walked through fire, and I’m here now so others might not have to.”
That phrase captures the essence of what makes this community so remarkable. The professionals who fill these roles—whether they’re offering lactation support, teaching childbirth education, holding space in therapy, or showing up at 2 a.m. as a doula—carry with them not just skills, but compassion earned through lived empathy.
They show up not to fix, but to walk beside.
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A Community Built on Passion and Purpose
Here at Yarrow Therapy, we are honored to be part of this network of helpers.
When you step into the world of perinatal care, you quickly realize that this work is about far more than any one person’s expertise. It’s about connection.
We each bring something unique—different credentials, experiences, and philosophies—but what unites us is a shared purpose: to make sure families don’t have to go through these pivotal transitions feeling alone or unsupported.
We do this because we know how isolating it can feel when you’re struggling to find your footing as a new parent.
We do it because we’ve seen how powerful early support can be in shaping not just a person’s mental health, but their relationships, their confidence, and their long-term well-being.
And we do it because we believe that when families thrive, communities thrive.
That’s why events like the Trunk or Treat matter. They might look like simple holiday fun, but underneath the costumes and candy is a profound message: You are surrounded by people who care.
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Why Access to the Right Support Matters
When you’re struggling—whether it’s with anxiety, intrusive thoughts, postpartum depression, grief, or simply the overwhelming adjustments of new parenthood—knowing where to turn can make all the difference.
But the world of “perinatal care” can feel confusing or intimidating. There are many types of professionals, many acronyms, and many paths toward healing. It can be hard to know what kind of help you need or where to begin.
Here’s a general guide to understanding who’s who and how each can support you:
1. Doulas
Doulas offer emotional, physical, and informational support during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.
They are not medical providers, but they often fill the crucial gap between clinical care and emotional well-being.
Whether providing hands-on support during labor or postpartum visits at home, doulas help parents feel confident and cared for.
2. Lactation Consultants
Lactation consultants (often IBCLCs) specialize in feeding support—whether breastfeeding, chestfeeding, or bottle-feeding.
Feeding challenges can deeply affect emotional health, and these professionals provide compassionate, evidence-based help that meets families where they are.
3. Midwives and OB Providers
These are your primary medical care providers during pregnancy and postpartum.
Midwives often offer more holistic, relationship-based care, while OBs bring expertise in managing complex medical situations. Both play vital roles in ensuring safety and health.
4. Therapists (like those at Yarrow Therapy)
Perinatal mental health therapists specialize in the emotional and psychological transitions of parenthood.
They can support clients through anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship challenges, identity shifts, and grief.
Therapy provides a space to process what’s happening internally and find strategies for healing and resilience.
5. Peer Support Groups
Sometimes, what helps most is knowing you’re not alone. Peer groups—whether in person or virtual—offer connection, understanding, and solidarity.
They are often led by people who have “been there” and know firsthand how powerful shared experience can be.
6. Community-Based Programs
Local organizations (like Northern Utah Doulas and others) often provide workshops, support circles, resource fairs, and family events designed to connect families with accessible care and education.
Each of these professionals and organizations plays a unique role. Together, they create a web of care that catches families before they fall through the cracks.
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The Power of Connection
When we talk about perinatal mental health, it’s easy to focus on the struggles—because yes, the challenges are real.
But what I’ve witnessed again and again in this field is not just hardship—it’s resilience.
It’s the mother who, after experiencing postpartum anxiety, goes on to start a support group for others.
It’s the doula who finds healing in helping new parents navigate the moments she once found most difficult.
It’s the therapist who holds space for grief, knowing how sacred that space can be.
Every time someone shares their story, seeks help, or shows up for another, the ripple of that courage expands outward.
That’s what builds communities like ours.
At its heart, the perinatal community is about saying:
“You are not broken. You are not alone. And support is out there.”
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How to Find and Use Resources
If you’re a parent, parent-to-be, or support person looking for help, here are some steps to begin navigating the support available in your community:
1. Start with what you need most.
Are you looking for emotional support, physical recovery help, or practical newborn guidance? Knowing your priority can help direct your search.
2. Ask trusted professionals.
Your OB, midwife, or pediatrician can often refer you to local mental health providers, lactation consultants, or postpartum doulas.
3. Use national directories.
• Postpartum Support International (PSI) has an excellent directory of therapists, support groups, and hotlines.
• PSI also offers a Helpline: 1-800-944-4773 (Text: 503-894-9453)—not for crisis, but for connection.
4. Connect locally
The Utah department of Health offers a Maternal Mental Health Directory to find services trained and specializing in Perinatal Health
Northern Utah has a vibrant network of doulas, therapists, and peer supporters. Many offer sliding-scale fees or virtual options.
5. Trust your gut.
The right fit matters. You deserve care that feels safe, affirming, and responsive to your needs.
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What We Believe at Yarrow Therapy
At Yarrow Therapy, we believe in meeting people where they are.
Our role is not to tell you how to heal, but to walk beside you while you find your own way forward.
We approach each client with curiosity, respect, and an understanding that healing is not linear—it’s a process.
We believe in collaboration—not competition—within the perinatal community.
When therapists, doulas, physicians, and community workers work together, families benefit.
We also believe in accessibility. That means normalizing mental health conversations, reducing stigma, and making sure good people are easy to find.
Because everyone deserves support—especially during times that reshape who we are.
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Closing Reflection
As the Trunk or Treat wrapped up that evening, the last of the candy was handed out, and the parking lot slowly emptied. The laughter faded into the crisp autumn air, and what lingered was gratitude.
Gratitude for the people who keep showing up.
For the ones who turned their pain into purpose.
For the community that surrounds families with care, creativity, and love.
In a world that can sometimes feel disconnected, these moments of togetherness remind us what truly matters: we are better when we walk together.
At Yarrow Therapy, we’re proud to stand alongside this incredible network of professionals and families. If you or someone you love is navigating the perinatal journey and wondering where to start—reach out. Whether it’s us or one of our trusted community partners, we’ll help you find the support you need.
Because no one should have to walk through the fire alone.
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If you’re looking for resources or local support, here are a few starting points:
• Postpartum Support International – Utah Chapter
• Local peer groups and classes (check community centers and hospitals) Starting with Huntsman Mental Health Institute and/or Utah Pregnancy After Loss Clinic and the Emily Effect offers unique access to services for Utah