Ash Choi, LMHC, PMH-C - Tether Therapy

06/02/2026

Interested in perinatal mental health? Check out this training (Tues, 6/9, virtual) on how to identify and respond to emotional and mental health complexities during the transition to parenthood. Maggie Bolton, CNM, ARNP, PMHNP, I will be presenting on behalf of Perinatal Support Washington. While the training is designed with first responders in mind, anyone is welcome—that includes lay community members, LICSW, LMHC, LMFT, RNs, MDs, and more. https://perinatalsupport.org/event/clallam-jefferson-june2026/

This training invites participants to learn how to identify and respond to the emotional and mental health complexities during the transition to parenthood. Learn strategies for identifying what type of interventions are needed and what supports are available. This training is intended for professio...

05/14/2026

Natuscence: A word for the rest of us

- On matrescence and inclusivity - There's a word that's been quietly gaining traction in perinatal circles: matrescence. Coined in the 1970s by medical anthropologist Dana Raphael, it describes the developmental passage a person undergoes when they become a mother — physiological, psychological, relational, and social, all at once¹. It's a powerful concept. Long overdue. (!!) It does, however, have a glaring and consequential limitation worth pointing out: the word is built from the Latin…...

05/13/2026

Natuscence: A word for the rest of us.

There's a word that's been quietly gaining traction in perinatal circles: matrescence. Coined in the 1970s by medical anthropologist Dana Raphael, it describes the developmental passage a person undergoes when they become a mother — physiological, psychological, relational, and social, all at once¹. It's a powerful concept. Long overdue. (!!) It does, however, have a glaring and consequential limitation worth pointing out: the word is built from the Latin mater, "mother"—and by design, it leaves out a lot of people who go through this same transformation....

There’s a word that’s been quietly gaining traction in perinatal circles: matrescence. Coined in the 1970s by medical anthropologist Dana Raphael, it describes the developmental passage a person undergoes when they become a mother — physiological, psychological, relational, and social, all at ...

04/27/2026

Therapy, couples coaching, and groups for pregnant and postpartum parents of all kinds. Get in touch today - let’s chat. ✨

04/24/2026

Hello! I’m Ash Choi, a Seattle-based LMHC and PMH-C. I’m also the birthing parent to our 3 y.o., and a step-parent to my wife’s 13 y.o. —>

I opened this private practice and named it after a word I’ve found myself returning to again and again—in sessions, in the way I talk about perinatal experiences, and in casual conversations—to describe the importance of anchoring to personal, social, and/or professional support that keeps folks from feeling disconnected, isolated, and overwhelmed. —>

So much of this work is about finding the thread back to yourself — the self that can feel lost or unrecognizable through the transitions of early parenthood. Thus, “Tether” was born.—>

I’m accepting individual therapy and couples coaching clients, and I’m excited to announce that I am currently recruiting for two (!) groups (!): —>

1 - “The First Year: Birthing Individuals:” A therapy group for birthing folks in the first year postpartum,” and,

2 - “The First Year: Partners (non-birthing people):” A therapy group for nonbirthing parents in the first year postpartum groups are forming now.

It really takes a village! Please feel free to share widely, and as always, feel free to reach out. ✨✊🏼

04/06/2026

Happy Monday! My team and I are still actively working on digital solutions to directly address the relationship between personal/social support and perinatal mental health outcomes. **A large part of this project is hearing from you through our community survey, "Exploring Support & Care During Pregnancy Through the Early Parenting Years."** We're gathering this data because the gap between prenatal/postpartum medical care and perinatal mental health care is profound and unsustainable. Birthing parents and their support people deserve more, and what we're building addresses this problem head-on. Thank you for your time, willingness, and contributions! 🙏🏼✨
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfW80Tiy-tgnz-evEkFR2TcmII8OXWaKGz09mK-aJvCDwWl9A/viewform?usp=dialog