WELCOME TO THE SISTERHOOD. COME just AS YOU ARE. BABIES AND YOUNG CHILDREN ARE ALWAYS WELCOME.

Perinatal Mental Health Therapy on Bainbridge Island, Kitsap Peninsula, and the Seattle Area

Infertility, Pregnancy, Postpartum + Early Motherhood

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Becoming a mom is not what you expected…

It’s so much harder. Right now, you’re feeling all of the “outs” – stressed out, touched out, checked out, burnt out, worn out. And you’re wondering how everyone else is making this look so easy.

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.

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 dedicated to creating 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 the Seattle Area. 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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Welcome to the Sisterhood

Welcome to the Sisterhood ❋

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Having a resourceful, kind, and collaborative voice to listen can make all the difference when you’re in the thick of it.

I’m here for you when you’re ready.

PRE-CONCEPTION, PREGNANCY, AND POSTPARTUM WELLNESS + SUPPORT

At Nurturing the Sisterhood, women access incredible support from fertility journey through early motherhood.

  • 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.

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I’m Dr. Julie Franks.

youR washington MATERNAL MENTAL HEALTH 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:

I’m here to support you. I created Nurturing the Sisterhood to give women a dedicated space to be nurtured, heal and grow. As a mom to a young child who faced infertility and a rough entrance into motherhood, I understand that creating your family + navigating the early years isn’t easy. I also believe that it’s easier with support. I’m here to help when you’re ready.

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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!

“A refreshingly honest perspective on Motherhood.”

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Through Thick and Thin

in my monthly newsletter, i share The Latest offerings at nurturing the sisterhood + a thoughtful blend of tips, tools, and resources to make motherhood a little bit easier. 
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