Trying to Conceive, Pregnancy & Postpartum Therapy & Coaching

The Motherhood Journey

You are on the journey to motherhood. Whatever stage you are in, it can be a rollercoaster. You are making decisions for yourself, your future, and your future or current child. You may be feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, anxious or sadness. All are normal emotions. However, it is possible to not feel this daily. It is possible to learn a new way of living and to give yourself permission to embrace a new identity. I’ve seen it firsthand with my own clients–and through my own personal experience. As a therapist and coach working with those Trying to Conceive, Pregnant or in their Postpartum journey, I can help you learn how to consistently attend to your own needs in a way that actually works for you. I can help you navigate new expectations, identity and the emotions that come along. We focus on giving ourselves permission to be in the present moment and to ask for what we need. Wherever you are in the motherhood journey, get started today. 

You are not alone. I've been there—and come out the other side.

If you are someone struggling on your fertility journey, thinking about motherhood as a Single Mom by Choice, or in their postpartum phase whether that is days, weeks or years post baby, I would love to work with you.

In any phase of thinking, trying or becoming a parent, our identity shifts, emotions fluctuate and challenges we have never expected or prepared for come up. 

I am passionate about working with women who want to learn tools and skills to cope with these changes in our lives. I want to be there to talk through those challenges, be a support and to educate you on ways to be grounded, feel less frustration and overwhelm, and develop a new sense of self.

With my background as a therapist, I can help you learn the many tools and interventions. What sets this apart from therapy, is that we are not focusing on a diagnosis (if I feel that we need to I will refer you to a practitioner) or unraveling your past. Instead we are focusing on where you are currently and where you want to be.

The good news? You don't have to figure it out alone.

Meet Abbey Sangmeister, therapist and mom coach

Contact Me

Hi! I'm Abbey. Since authenticity is one of my main values, I'm going to keep it real with you: being a mom is beautiful but has its challenges. As much as you prepare for the process and then becoming a parent, until you are in it… and then in different phases, you have no idea.

That is where I come in!

I’ve been a guiding light for women on unique journeys, whether it's IVF, the path to becoming a Single Mom by Choice, or navigating the whirlwind of postpartum. Together, we will craft strategies to embrace life's changes and uncover the evolving identity that accompanies motherhood. On a personal note, against many odds I became a Single Mom by Choice at age 41.

I also the founded the Ambitious Mamas Collective: A Space to Thrive which is a free virtual meetup for self driven moms to connect deeply, share struggles, wins and resources, and time for reflection.  I saw a need for myself and other mom’s so I created it. You can join the Ambitious Mamas Collective here.

This work is a true passion of mine. Before becoming a mom myself, I worked with kids, parents and couples for over 13 years. I’ve seen motherhood from all sides!

I want to be able to meet you wherever you're at and find the tools that truly work for you—whatever that looks like. Working together allows me to do just that. Together, we'll think outside the box to discover innovative solutions that can grow and change as you do.

You are a busy and finding the time feels daunting. We will work on that. So let’s just start with a free 15-minute no pressure consultation so you can ask questions and get a better sense of how I can help and what our work together would look like. I look forward to hearing from you and helping you discover motherhood.

FAQs about working with a therapist and coach

Most people have never worked with a therapist and coach when it comes to thinking about motherhood, trying to conceive, pregnancy and postpartum. I want to change that landscape and normalize it. We deserve and need support on this journey. Since its not usually on the forefront of our minds to get into coaching or therapy in these phases of life, it's totally normal to have questions about the process. Here, I answer some of the most frequently asked questions I hear about therapy and coaching. Not seeing your question here? Contact me directly to get the answers you're looking for.

  • Each therapist and coach may take a different approach. However, a good therapist and coach will collaborate with you throughout the entire process to find what works best for your unique needs, values, and goals. Regardless, most therapists and coaches have the same goal: to help people learn how to bring more self-care into their daily lives.

    I do that by partnering with each client to discover the barriers that keep them from taking care of themselves and working through stuck points and challenges of becoming and being a mother.

    Together, we'll unpack these challenges and learn how to approach motherhood differently so you don't get stuck. By building self-care into your daily routine, you won't be left scrambling to bounce back from your latest crash. Instead, you'll have a solid foundation to support you.

    Trying to come a mom and Motherhood can feel out of reach or maybe even a little overwhelming and scary. We'll take measures to care for your emotional health during this transformation as well.

  • Unlike therapists or other types of professionals, self-care coaches don't have a certain license they need to hold that title. Since the coaching industry is less strict than other fields like therapy, all coaches (including life coaches and health coaches) have different backgrounds, education levels, and experiences.

    Whether you're looking for a self-care coach, life coach, or health coach, it's important to look into their specific credentials. This can help you can understand exactly who they are and how they can help you. Coaching is more flexible and individualized than therapy, so look for whatever credentials feel important to your situation and needs.

    In my case, I worked as a licensed therapist for 13 years before I made the transition into coaching. I hold a dual master's degree from the University of Pennsylvania, and I've also received further education through the Post Deployment Center, the Nutritional Therapy Association, and Clinical Supervisory Boards.

    I bring this extensive education and experience to my work as a self-care coach. Plus, I draw on my lived experience as a recovered workaholic who's found balance and finally learned to enjoy life.

    My expertise has brought me in Press and Podcasts such as Parents, Parade, and Scary Mommy.

    You can learn more about my background here, and find testimonials here.

  • To start our work together, I typically suggest weekly sessions to build rapport and lay a foundation.

    For some clients, this may not feel like a good fit so we can talk through this in our consultation call.

    I’ve had clients that have started with my during any chapter of motherhood. The time is right now.

    We may work together in a short or long term capacity. This is discussed during sessions.

    I meet with all clients virtually via zoom or phone.