Willow Counseling Services

05/26/2026

So many moms feel pressure to “just push through” anxiety and depression during pregnancy — but new research continues to show how important mental health support truly is. 🤍

A study published in The Lancet Psychiatry found no clear link between common antidepressant use during pregnancy and autism or ADHD in children after accounting for parental mental health and genetics. This is one of the largest and most comprehensive studies to date.

Taking care of your mental health during pregnancy matters too! For both you and your baby. 💛

Article: https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1128154

05/21/2026

Today we’re thinking of Samantha Busch and their family after the unexpected loss of Kyle Busch, just days after racing at Dover this past Sunday.

Beyond NASCAR, Kyle and Samantha became voices for families navigating infertility and IVF. Through the Bundle of Joy Fund https://bundleofjoyfund.org ,they helped countless people access fertility treatment while creating space for honest conversations around infertility, loss, grief, and the emotional toll of trying to build a family.

Infertility impacts mental health in ways many people don’t fully see from the outside. Having public figures willing to share the hard parts can make an isolating experience feel a little less lonely.

Holding space today for Samantha, their children, family, friends, fans and the infertility community grieving this loss. 💔

The Bundle of Joy Fund provides monetary grants for in-need couples struggling with infertility and the costs associated with IVF treatment.

05/15/2026

Everyone talks about the sleepless nights that come with a newborn.

No one talks enough about the trauma that can come with being a NICU parent.

Recovering physically while emotionally living in survival mode, going back and forth to the hospital, and carrying the fear, guilt, exhaustion, and overwhelm both throughout the stay and long after.

Postpartum depression impacts about 15% of new mothers overall — but nearly 50% of NICU parents.

This hospital is working to help change that by supporting the mental health of NICU families too, and we couldn’t agree more. 💛

https://www.ktvu.com/news/santa-clara-valley-medical-center-program-tackles-critical-gap-nicu-mental-health?link_source=ta_first_comment&taid=6a0564e01f2f3300018e0430&fbclid=IwZnRzaARzYXVleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEe3ZxvoGNM29-ovvX3KKhPktiZyHUmefsueAOVLvSv14NvT7bP0Wo6JpnyRpE_aem_awmOHQ0RFrlpoQ9FEt7kng

Having a newborn is one of life’s greatest challenges, but for families in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), that challenge can become a crisis. To address a "critical gap" in services, Santa Clara Valley Medical Center (SCVMC) has launched the NICU Family Wellness Program, an innovative in...

05/10/2026

Behind every therapist is years of education, training, supervision, continuing education, and a whole lot of heart 💛

Therapists spend years building the clinical foundation needed to help clients navigate trauma, grief, anxiety, relationship struggles, life transitions, and so much more — and that growth continues throughout their careers.

At Willow, we’re incredibly grateful for a team that continues to grow, learn, and show up for our clients with compassion, skill, and dedication every single day

05/03/2026

Anyone catch the Kentucky Derby last night? 🐎

A horse in dead last… that didn’t stay there.
Dead last… until they weren’t.
A horse people counted out.
A female trainer who’s never won the Derby—
(and actually, no female trainer ever has).

And still… they made that kind of comeback.

Just a little Sunday reminder:
Feeling like you’re behind doesn’t mean you are behind.
Feeling stuck doesn’t mean you’ll stay stuck.
You can be counted out, underestimated, and still have your moment.

Your moment might just be closer than it feels. Keep going💛

05/02/2026

As we head into Mental Health Awareness Month, it’s a good time to start thinking ahead to Mother’s Day weekend 💛

For anyone going through infertility, loss, pregnancy after loss, motherhood after infertility—or the mom who is quietly wondering if anyone is going to do anything for her this year because her support system is limited… this day can feel more dreaded than celebrated.

Sometimes it’s not even the big things—
it’s the well-intentioned “Happy Mother’s Day”
or the random “Are you having more kids?” while you’re just trying to check out at Walgreens…
And suddenly your whole mood shifts.

We see you. We get it.
For all of you—
the ones grieving,
the ones waiting,
the ones holding it together for everyone else,
and the ones wondering if anyone will show up for you…
…it’s heavy. You’re not alone in that either.

A few ways to protect your mental health starting now:
✨ Take a break from social media
Not just the day of—start now.
You’re already seeing the brunch posts, the ads, the “perfect” moments.
Ask yourself: What is this giving me right now?
If the answer isn’t much, step away for a bit.
Swap it for something that actually feels good—podcasts, audiobooks, literally anything that doesn’t make your chest tight.

✨ Do things differently this year
If you can’t do brunch or the usual plans… it’s okay.
You don’t have to push through just because “it’s what we always do.”
Maybe you celebrate another day.
Maybe you keep it low key.
Maybe you don’t go at all.

✨ Put yourself first (really)
If something is going to feel triggering or overwhelming—you’re allowed to opt out.
No long explanation needed.
Truthfully, the people who love you wouldn’t want you to suffer just to celebrate them.

And if no one ends up making a plan for you this year…
you are still allowed to create something for yourself—big or small.You don’t have to wait to be celebrated to take care of yourself.

Just a reminder going into this month—you’re allowed to protect your peace.

Even if it looks different than everyone else 💛

04/21/2026

A gentle reminder: infertility leaves a mark, even after a positive test or a baby.

During National Infertility Awareness Week, we’re holding space for the parts of the journey that often go unseen.

We’re so grateful to this IVF mama for sharing her story so openly and honestly:

“When you see me walking down the street these days, you see a very pregnant mom holding her toddler’s hand.
What you don’t see—
the months of negative tests,
the closet full of meds and sharps containers,
two IUIs and three retrievals over three years,
four embryo transfers—two ending in miscarriage,
and the anxiety of pregnancy after loss… holding your breath at every scan.
I am so grateful for my (soon-to-be) two rainbows.
But that will never erase what it took to get here.
Sending love to anyone still in the trenches 🧡🤍”

If this is part of your story—we see you. You’re not alone 🤍

04/20/2026

🤍 National Infertility Awareness Week 🤍
When Infertility is talked about it’s often in medical terms—but for the people living it, it’s so much more than that.

It’s the mental load you carry every day.
It’s the hope that builds… and the grief that follows.
It’s the way it can shift how you see yourself, your relationships, and your future.
This week is about making space for those realities—
and bringing awareness to an experience that often goes unseen.

At Willow, we see you 🤍
Not just the strong version, but the overwhelmed, frustrated, exhausted version too.
And you don’t have to hold all of this by yourself.

04/13/2026

We have something really special to celebrate at Willow 💙 🧡

Please help us congratulate Dr. Lindsay Griffin on officially earning her Ph. D of Social Work after successfully defending her dissertation Friday!

This milestone reflects so much hard work, determination, and commitment—not only to her own growth, but to the care she provides to her clients and community every day.

We are incredibly proud to have her as part of our team. Congratulations, Dr. Griffin—so well deserved!

04/09/2026

You could get booked with the first available therapist…

…but that’s kind of like letting someone else pick your coffee order ☕️ Sometimes you get exactly what you wanted…and sometimes you’re holding a $7 oat milk lavender situation wondering how your life got here 😅

At Willow, we match you based on fit—not just availability.

The good news?
We’re still pretty quick—most people get scheduled within a week!

And if we don’t have the right person for you?
We’ll tell you—and point you in the right direction so you’re not out here on a full-blown therapy wild goose chase.

Because the right therapist makes all the difference 🤍