Azalea Mental Health

We’re accepting new patients in DC, MD & VA! Request an appointment today. Link in bio

Seasons of Pregnancy is a virtual nutrition education and support group for expecting parents seeking community, guidance, and evidence-based care — without pressure.
Guided by a Registered Dietitian + IBCLC, the groups are organized by due-date season, so you’ll learn alongside others in the same stage of pregnancy and into the 4th trimester.
Meets monthly · virtual · evenings
enroll via link in bio or azaleamentalhealth.com/seasons 💐🌟😄🌷🪻

As I was sitting down to see patients this morning, I realized Azalea shares its birthday with . What a thing!

Today We are THREE! And like any parent of a toddler, I’m somewhere between: “What just happened?” “This is the greatest joy of my life.” and “I’m tired.”

Three years ago, Azalea was just me. Today, our team includes a growing roster of highly skilled perinatal mental health therapists -- and dietitians (we just launched a partnership with Aterra Nutrition!) -- serving hundreds of families across DC, Maryland, Virginia, and Texas (more coming!).

This year, we were honored to be selected as a finalist for Washington Parent Picks 2025, and we completed the SEED SPOT Mental & Behavioral Health Focused Impact Accelerator. Grateful for how far we’ve come, and excited for what’s ahead.

We are currently accepting new patients. If you’re trying to conceive, pregnant, postpartum, or navigating parenthood, connect with a qualified, in-network perinatal mental health therapist this week.

azaleamentalhealth.com

We’re thrilled to welcome Mark Wilson, LMSW (ICF-ACC, SHRM-SCP) to our team! Mark specializes in men’s, partners’, and couples’ mental health during pregnancy, postpartum, and early parenthood. His work helps families navigate identity shifts, relationship changes, and the transition to parenthood. Learn more: azaleamentalhealth.com/mark In network with CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield & Cigna Healthcare plans (yes, for couples therapy too!)

Azalea Mental Health: Accessible Care for Perinatal Women We provide treatment and support for pregnant people and new parents in Maryland. Perinatal depression, anxiety, and OCD can be treated. Women who have had a painful childhoods, high risk pregnancies, scary or traumatic birth experiences, are at high risk for developing symptoms of PMADs. Request an

Supporting fertility from the comfort of your kitchen Adequate nutrition is one way in which we can support fertility.

Meet our team and request an appointment at azaleamentalhealth.com ✨

HELP US ADVANCE TO THE NEXT ROUND! You can vote once per category, per day — today and tomorrow (through midnight!). LINK IN BIO 🔗

We’re so excited to share that Azalea Mental Health (azaleamentalhealth.com) has been nominated for the 2025 Washington Parent Picks Awards in three categories. 🔗 LINK IN BIO 🔗

🌺Mental Health Provider – DC
🌼Mental Health Provider – Maryland
🌸Mental Health Provider – Virginia

Whah Are Intrusive Thought, & Why Do They Feel So Real?

Ever had a random, disturbing thought, image or “mini movie”, or “what if” pop into your head? That’s an intrusive thought. Up to 90% of new moms experience intrusive thoughts, due to normal postpartum brain changes.

If intrusive thoughts aren’t just occasional, feel overwhelming or lead you to avoid situations (like stairs or bath time), they could be a sign of perinatal anxiety or OCD.

In people with anxiety or OCD, the “error detection system” (involving the anterior cingulate cortex and prefrontal cortex) may become hyperactive, signaling that something is wrong—even when it’s just a thought.

The body’s stress response (fight or flight) can be triggered by a thought alone, leading to real physical symptoms like a racing heart or shortness of breath, reinforcing the feeling that the thought is dangerous or meaningful.

ocd

If an intrusive thought feels scary, upsetting, or totally out of character—it likely is.
These are called ego-dystonic thoughts, and they don’t mean you’re dangerous. The distress you feel is actually a sign of how much you care. Intrusive thoughts often “stick” to what matters most—like keeping your baby safe.

Normal postpartum intrusive thoughts (occur in up to 90% of new moms):
• Brief and occasional
• Go away
Like a fly buzzing around your face—you notice it, feel annoyed or startled, and shoo it away.

Intrusive thoughts that may be a sign of postpartum anxiety or OCD:
• Feel constant or overwhelming
• Lead you to avoid situations (like stairs or bath time)
• Trigger rigid routines to “prevent” something bad from happening
• Are hard to dismiss—you just can’t feel “safe”