Perinatal and Maternal Mental Health Counseling.

Therapy for Washington Women Experiencing Infertility, Pregnancy, Postpartum + Moms at Every Stage of Motherhood.

Welcome to the Sisterhood. Come Just as you Are.

If becoming a mom is not what you were expecting…

And you’re wondering how the other women and moms are getting through this, you’re not alone. You’re going through the motions, but something feels off. You may feel worn down, disconnected, or like you’re carrying more than anyone can see. It’s hard to explain, but you know you need more support.

This unfortunately is the norm for most women today. And what’s even worse is that it’s taboo to talk about these feelings when they’re connected to your fertility journey, pregnancy and postpartum… but not around here.

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Hi, I’m Dr. Julie.

Your Washington Therapist + Founder of Nurturing the Sisterhood

Whether you’re facing the heartache of infertility, the challenges of pregnancy, or the overwhelming transition into motherhood, you’ve found a safe haven.

Nurturing the Sisterhood is a safe and supportive space to talk about the parts of pregnancy and postpartum that aren’t openly discussed or acknowledged. As an expert in maternal mental health and wellness, I provide care that is grounded in warmth, clinical expertise, and a deeply personal understanding of these experiences. I’m not only a therapist, I’m also an infertility warrior, mom to a preschooler, and a postpartum anxiety survivor.

Located on Bainbridge Island, I offer individual therapy sessions to women who reside in Kitsap County, on the Kitsap Peninsula and in Seattle, Tacoma, and Surrounding Areas. In-person + virtual support groups for infertility, pregnancy, and early motherhood are offered in Kitsap County and will be expanded into other parts of the Puget Sound Region soon.

If you’ve been looking for support, you’re in the right place.

Good-bye pregnancy anxiety, postpartum rage, overwhelm and all that mom burnout… it’s time to enjoy REAL motherhood.

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Moms Mental Health Matters

❋

Moms Mental Health Matters ❋

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I created Nurturing the Sisterhood because I know how important it is to have a local, specialized therapy practice focused on emotional well-being of women at every stage of family-building.

Whether you’re trying to conceive, preparing for birth, or adjusting to life as a new mom, I want you to know: You don’t have to go through this alone. - I’m here for you when you’re ready.

AT NURTURING THE SISTERHOOD, MOMS COME FIRST. BABIES ARE ALWAYS WELCOME.

  • If you're looking for support for anxiety after childbirth, you're not alone. Anxiety is one of the most common reasons women and new moms seek therapy.

    Postpartum anxiety can show up as racing thoughts, restlessness, constant worry, or a sense that something terrible might happen. It’s more likely to surface if you’re healing from traumatic birth, navigating intrusive thoughts, or coping with the emotional weight of fertility treatment and anxiety during pregnancy.

    As both a therapist and a postpartum anxiety survivor, I offer therapy for new moms facing anxiety, motherhood-related stress, and recovery after birth. You don’t have to go through this alone.

    Therapy provides a safe space to heal postpartum anxiety, intrusive thoughts, and emotional challenges so you feel calm, confident and grounded as a new mom.

  • Postpartum depression (PPD) is more than the baby blues—it’s a serious experience that can cause exhaustion, irritability, difficulty bonding with your baby, insecurity, and feelings of hopelessness. Many new moms struggle with these symptoms and worry they aren’t doing their best as parents.

    If you’re seeking therapy for postpartum depression, you might also experience intrusive thoughts, overwhelming guilt, or question your decision to have a baby—common feelings in postpartum mental health struggles. Therapy for postpartum depression can help you navigate these emotions and find healing.

    As a therapist specializing in postpartum depression, anxiety, and perinatal mood disorders, I provide a safe, non-judgmental space to talk about and find solutions to these challenges.

    Together, we’ll work on healing from postpartum depression symptoms, strengthening your bond with your baby, and building resilience during the postpartum period. You don’t have to face postpartum depression alone; I’m here to help.

  • Therapy for women and partners who are experiencing infertility, making decisions about pregnancy, going through the process of family planning, and/or seeking support after receiving an infertility diagnosis. I work with families who exploring gestational surrogacy, adoption, foster care, and considering stopping fertility treatment.

  • Therapy for women and/or partners who have experienced miscarriage or pregnancy loss, including stillbirth and loss by abortion. I experienced multiple pregnancy losses during fertility journey, and I won't talk about the details unless you're interested. It's important that you know that I get it.

  • Therapy for women who are navigating the unique challenges that come alongside starting and loving your family, including relationship struggles, trouble connecting to your child or partner, finding balance between work/home/personal life, and general mental health challenges that come along during motherhood and cause distress. Every woman's needs are unique, and no issue is too big or too small for therapy.

Dr. Julie offers therapy for women at every stage of motherhood and family planning.

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I’m Dr. Julie Franks.

youR washington THERAPIST

I offer individual therapy and support groups for women who are on a fertility journey, experiencing pregnancy, postpartum, and in the early years of motherhood.

I'm a licensed clinical social work therapist, an expert in women's mental health, and a social work educator. But most importantly, I’m also a mom who is right there with you in experiencing the social pressures and demands of motherhood + all the stress it creates.

I help women protect their mental health while caring for and creating their families..As a postpartum anxiety survivor who had a difficult start to motherhood, I get the way social pressures and expectations make it hard to understand + focus on your values and identity.

Becoming a parent changes the way you care for yourself, the way mental health symptoms show up, and the relationships you rely on for support. Nurturing the Sisterhood is dedicated to supporting you through the nuances of this challenging phase of life.

I’m here to help you understand your mental health symptoms, find ways to cope, and learn to focus on what matters so things get better for you.

Ways We Can Work Together:

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  • Clinical therapy for women who are facing infertility or pregnancy loss, are trying to get pregnant, or are pregnant, postpartum, and in the early years of motherhood. Washington State residents only.

    LEARN MORE

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  • + New Mom Support Group

    + Working Mom Support Group

    + Secondary Infertility Support Group

    Launching soon!

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  • Looking for resources that don't require you to establish a therapy relationship? These non-clinical, educational, self-paced courses, workbooks and programs are a great place to get started. And there's even a few freebies!

Therapy for Women + New Moms in Seattle, Kitsap County, and Washington State.

Dr. Julie supports Women who reside in seattle, bainbridge island, the kitsap peninsula, and anywhere in washington state.

Why therapy for moms? It’s different for every woman, but maybe something sounds like you:

  • The village you were expecting isn’t there or isn’t giving you the kind of help you really need right now.

  • You made it through fertility treatment, a high risk pregnancy, or scary birth and can’t stop thinking about it.

  • You aren’t sleeping because you’re worried something bad might happen, and it’s starting to take a serious toll.

  • You are struggling with returning to work (or deciding not to return to work).

  • You can’t seem to balance new mom life with self care, and your personal hygiene and household are starting to suffer.

  • Your relationship with your partner is strained because your new baby has impacted your relationship more than you expected.

Therapy is a safe space to be seen, supported, and empowered as you move through the challenging parts of becoming a mom. As a perinatal and maternal mental health therapist, I work with women in the thick of it - the messy middle of fertility, pregnancy, postpartum, and the early years of being a mom - because I believe you can experience the kind of motherhood you always imagined, with the right support.

Reach out today to schedule your free intro call, and let’s see if we’re a fit.

“A refreshingly honest perspective on Motherhood.”

Lately, on The Blog

THROUGH THICK AND THIN NEWSLETTER

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Get updates from my practice, Moms' mental health INFO and spotlights on trusted local providers who care for women navigating early motherhood. Because no one should have to do this alone—it truly takes a village.
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