Maternal mental health counseling in Wasilla, Alaska.

Let’s be real, motherhood is not for the faint of heart.  Even in the best of circumstances, being a Mama is Hard.  Of course, there are wonderful aspects, and things that you love. But there are also likely feelings of being overwhelmed, under appreciated, and down right exhausted!

Mama’s are notorious for putting the needs of others above their own, but the whole oxygen mask analogy has truth to it.  How can we care for others well, if we don’t first care for ourselves?  If we love those Littles so dang much, shouldn’t we care for their Mama?

If you’re finding that you’re often irritable, that your fuse is short, that your emotions are out of control, and that you don’t know who you are anymore, you’re not alone. And we’re here to help!

Mat-Su Mental Health providers are adept at coming along side and meeting you right where you’re at.  It’s true what they say, it really does take a village, and regardless of what stage of motherhood you find yourself in, you have an ally in us. A little support really can go a long way, so prioritize your own self, and reach out. We’d be honored to walk alongside you on this beautiful, hard, hot mess of a journey called motherhood.

Meet the team of maternal mental health counselors.

  • Wasilla Maternal Mental Health Counselor Mary Kuepper

    Mary Kuepper - LPC-S

    Mary has over a decade of experience working in community based mental health. Though she has worked with people across the lifespan, she specializes in work with kids, teens and families, as well as in maternal mental health. Mary is passionate about giving people the tools they need to not only function well, but to thrive in their everyday life. Though not native to Alaska, she has fallen in love with the abundant resources of this beautiful place. When not working with clients, Mary can be found adventuring, hiking and exploring. She loves to fly fish our local creeks, dig in the dirt of her backyard garden, and get in quality time with her friends, and beautiful family.

What you can expect from maternal mental health counseling.

Regardless of what struggles bring you in for maternal mental health counseling, you and your provider will work together to better understand and manage the symptoms and struggles you’re wrestling with. Effectively and comprehensively addressing maternal mental health struggles with Mat-Su Mental Health providers may include, but is not limited to:

  • Psycho-education and brain based science to help you understand what’s happening for you on a physiological level.

  • Coping skills to support you in better managing your mood, emotions and behaviors when difficulties arise.

  • Ongoing discussion and evaluation of lifestyle choices that may be contributing to or exacerbating your difficulties. Areas of exploration may include:

    • Sleep

    • Diet/ nutrition

    • Supplementation

    • Exercise/ movement

    • Connectedness and Support (time with family, friends)

    • Play

    • Time in nature

  • Self care

  • Exploration and treatment of life events or unresolved traumas that may be at the root of the difficulties you are experiencing.

  • A practical and effective self-care plan to support you in better caring for your own self, so that you can best care for your loved ones.

Could you benefit from maternal mental health counseling?

At Mat-Su Mental Health, you can expect a comprehensive approach to support you in dealing with the struggles you are facing. Maternal Mental Health services can address an array of struggles, which include, but are not limited to:

  • Infertility and Loss

  • Baby Blues

  • Perintal Mood Disorders

  • Post Partum Anxiety

  • Post Partum Depression

  • Maternal Overwhelm

  • Feelings of Isolation

  • Parenting Strategies

  • Parenting Teens

  • Relationship Dynamics

  • Loss of sense of self

How long does maternal mental health counseling take?

The length of time an individual is in counseling is situation specific and can vary. However, we at Mat-Su Mental Health are passionate about giving our clients the tools and skills they need to thrive and function well. We will cast a wide net at the onset, looking for all the contributing variables. We will build skills for managing symptoms and explore root causes that may be underlying your distress. We will take as little or as much time as you need, but we will do our very best to get you back about the business of living your life.

How to schedule a professional maternal mental health counseling session?

Ready to get started? Call or email us today. Our contact info is at the bottom of this page.

Once you reach out, our on-boarding admin will contact you to gather information regarding your specific situation. They will explore with you what provider will likely best meet your needs, and support you in getting set up in our electronic health record.

Mat-Su Mental Health uses Simple Practice, a medical record and portal system that will allow for confidential and HIPAA compliant messaging that ensures your privacy. You will be sent a portal link that directs you to online documentation to be completed prior to your initial session.

This is a great time to ask any questions you might have. After all, where you go for support is your choice, and we want you to feel empowered to assess whether or not we are the right fit for you! Here at Mat-Su Mental Health, our providers believe that a strong therapeutic relationship is essential in the process of creating change. These initial conversations are important in assessing fit, as therapy is not “one size fits all.”

Our MSMH office is conveniently located in Wasilla. Feel free to arrive a few minutes prior to your scheduled session to grab a cup of tea and relax before session begins. We look forward to meeting you, and are honored you have chosen us to do this work alongside you.

 FAQ’s

  • Yes, we bill insurance on behalf of our clients. We also accept self pay clients.

  • We do not offer a sliding scale fee for services. Many community based mental health agencies in our area, such as Denali Family Services and Matsu Health Services, do. We would encourage you to reach out to one of them if you are in need of/ looking for services offered on a sliding scale.

  • We are in network with Premera, Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Healthcare, UMR, TriCare, TriWest and Moda. We bill most other insurances as a courtesy; many of which offer out of network benefits. If you are not insured with one of the above contracted payers, we would encourage you to reach out to your insurance company and find out the specifics regarding your out of network benefits for mental health services in an office setting. More often than not, our clients find out that services are covered, most often after having met their deductible.

  • MSMH has a 24 hour cancellation policy. Though our providers certainly realize that “life happens” and late cancellations are sometimes unavoidable, we do ask that you do your best to notify your provider of a cancellation 24 hours prior to your scheduled session. Doing so allows us to fulfill other clients scheduling needs, and best serve our community.

    This policy is in place out of respect for our providers, AND our clients. Cancellations with less than 24 hours notice are difficult to fill. By giving last minute notice, or no notice at all, someone else is prevented from scheduling into that cancelled slot, and a 60 minute hole is left in your providers schedule.

    Please be aware that clients who no call/ no show or cancel last minute will be responsible for the full billable cost of their missed session.

    In an effort to avoid such circumstances, MSMH does offer a courtesy contact, either by text or voicemail, 24 hours prior to your scheduled session. Should you receive this notice and realize you are unable to attend the following days appointment, please communicate that directly with your provider through a phone call, text or email.

  • At MSMH, we do not have a psychiatrist or prescribing physician on staff. Unfortunately, we do not offer any medication management services at our practice. If you think you may benefit from medication, please reach out to your Primary Care Physician, and or a community based mental health agency, as they do have med management providers in house. We are happy to offer therapeutic supports to pair alongside med management services, but we do not do the prescribing.

  • We do not offer court mandated evaluations. If you have been ordered by the court to receive an evaluation, you can likely get this completed at one of the community based mental health agencies in our area.

  • Inform us as soon as possible about any insurance changes. Please bring your new insurance card to your next appointment and any related documents.

  • We offer individual therapy, couples counseling, family therapy, group therapy, and specialized counseling for issues like anxiety, depression, and PTSD.

  • Each counseling session typically lasts 50 minutes. We also offer extended sessions upon request.

  • Yes, we provide online counseling through a secure telehealth platform. You can book these sessions just like in-person appointments.

  • Confidentiality is paramount in our sessions. Information is only shared with your consent, except in cases of harm to self or others, as required by law.

  • In emergencies, call 911 or your local emergency number. You can also contact crisis hotlines for immediate assistance.

  • Bring any relevant documents, a list of questions or concerns, and be ready to discuss your goals for therapy. Think about what you want to achieve through counseling.

  • Yes, you can choose your therapist based on their specialties and your preferences. We can also help match you with a therapist who fits your needs.