Today, we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Kaffer.
Thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My journey to becoming a Maternal Mental Health Psychologist was not straightforward. I honestly had no idea I would end up here, but I am so grateful I did! My initial focus was on supporting military members and first responders. I really wanted to dismantle mental health stigmas and barriers to treatment for individuals who were regularly exposed to intense and life-threatening situations. At the time, my husband was an active duty service member, and I felt deeply connected to the community. I spent the majority of my post-graduate schooling, as well as my early career, focusing on trauma treatment for the military and first responder population.
However, my career trajectory and overall focus shifted after having my first baby. I had a basic understanding of what postpartum might look like and tried to prepare the best I could, but I still encountered numerous unexpected challenges during my pregnancy and postpartum period that left me feeling overlooked and unsupported. I didn’t develop postpartum depression, but I recognized that women needed way more support than what was available. So, I began looking into avenues where I could help support women during pregnancy and postpartum and slowly started educating myself more on women’s health in general.
By the time I had my third baby, I was fairly well-versed and educated in postpartum mood and anxiety disorders. Despite my expertise, I faced unexpected postpartum anxiety, a humbling reminder that mood disorders can affect anyone, regardless of their knowledge. From there, my primary population seemed to naturally shift from active-duty military members and combat veterans to maternal mental health. The insurance that I accepted at the time allowed me to still support the military population, but I found myself helping more military spouses who were in the process of growing their families or in the trenches of parenthood. Although my primary focus has shifted, I still reserve a portion of my caseload for active military members and first responders.
In a few short years, I have worked hard to grow my single-member, brick-and-mortar operation to a completely virtual tele-therapy practice. I am the owner/CEO and head psychologist of Kaffer Psychological Services and I lead a team of three other clinicians, two of whom are also certified to treat women in the perinatal period. Our mission is to support women navigating the emotional landscapes of motherhood, from fertility issues to the trials of early motherhood. Although we specialize in maternal mental health, we still welcome clients from all walks of life, and each one of my providers is trained in various trauma treatment modalities and other therapeutic interventions.
Reflecting on my journey, I am deeply grateful for the experiences that have shaped my practice and philosophy. Each step has reinforced my commitment to enhancing the lives of mothers around the globe, ensuring they receive the care and understanding they deserve.
We all face challenges, but would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not at all, but nothing worth having comes easy. I literally found my passion during one of the most challenging seasons of my life thus far. I honestly had no idea how hard pregnancy, postpartum, and parenthood were going to be before I transitioned into this season.
I remember when I first found out I was pregnant, I thought I could plan my way out of bad experiences. I believed if I did the research and was organized enough, I could control the outcome in my favor. This is one of the many lies most of us are guilty of telling ourselves and can actually contribute to a problematic perinatal experience.
While personal experience is not necessary to effectively treat clients, being a mother has undoubtedly enhanced my empathy for the emotional rollercoaster that accompanies motherhood, and it helps me to better support and understand the viewpoints of my clients. The fact that I was trained to identify and treat postpartum anxiety and still found myself suffering from it also normalizes the fact that postpartum mood and anxiety disorders can really happen to anyone.
If I am being honest, even now, I wouldn’t describe the road as being “smooth.” The pressure to work like I didn’t have children and to care for my children as though I don’t work is completely real. It is like walking a tightrope at times, frequently making me feel as though I cannot fully satisfy the needs of my family or my career. The constant tug and pull is there, and I have to remind myself that I am doing the best that I can, and that is enough.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Kaffer Psychological Services is a fully online practice that specializes in individual and couples therapy for adults. Our team of skilled clinicians focuses on a range of issues, including perinatal and maternal mental health, fertility struggles, trauma, anxiety, depression, relational/marital difficulties, and effective communication and boundary setting. We take pride in our ongoing commitment to first responders and military members, acknowledging their unique mental health needs.
This year, we are excited to expand our services to include Third-Party Reproduction consultation and evaluations. Fertility clinics are increasingly requiring or recommending this specialized service for intended parents, surrogates, and donors. It is a deeply personal journey, and we are dedicated to offering the compassionate and professional support needed during such pivotal times.
We also recognize that postpartum anxiety and mood disorders can affect men as well. Often overlooked, fathers are not just supporting characters in the narrative of parenthood. At Kaffer Psychological Services, we provide necessary support for dads, helping them navigate their mental health challenges during and after the arrival of a new child.
Our overarching goal is to support, validate, and empower our clients through every season of life. Ultimately, we want our clients to know that they are not alone. We are here to offer not just therapy but a partnership in navigating life’s challenges, ensuring everyone who reaches out for help is met with understanding and expert care.
That said, therapy is not for everyone, which is 100% ok. If any mental health clinician tells you therapy works for everyone, it is best to walk the other way. I authored “Parent. Breathe. Repeat.,” a workbook designed to offer practical strategies for managing ‘mommy rage’ and other forms of emotional dysregulation to help women who just need a little extra guidance and some tangible problem-solving strategies during difficult parenting moments. The book provides step-by-step techniques, grounded in clinical practice and personal insight, to help mothers regain control and find peace amidst the chaos of parenting.
More recently, I co-founded Perination, an online platform offering educational resources for women seeking a self-guided approach to mental health care. We provide our expertise at speaking engagements and aspire to eventually transform our platform into a nonprofit, making it accessible to mothers everywhere!
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
Gosh, I have so many to thank. I’m not arrogant enough to believe I’ve reached this point all on my own.
My parents laid an incredible foundation. As business owners and entrepreneurs, they embodied the essence of hard work and perseverance. They tirelessly pursued their goals and showed me that everything is within reach.
Social circles can be pivotal or detrimental to success. I was blessed with a small group of amazing friends who have been there to motivate and lift me up rather than see me as competition. These women have consciously stepped away from the societal norm that pits women against each other in professional and personal arenas. So, instead of feeling as though it is a race to the glass ceiling, it feels more like we are walking hand-in-hand to shatter the ceiling together.
I also have to give credit to my children. Because of them, I found this niche that I love so much. Parenting is legitimately the hardest thing I have ever done. It challenges me daily and continually pushes me to strive to be the best version of myself that I can be.
Most deserving of credit, however, is my husband. We’ve been together since graduate school and have known each other since childhood, even playing on the same recreational basketball team in the first grade.
He has supported every dream and aspiration, always asking, “How can I help?” or “What do you need from me to make this happen?” His support has been instrumental in allowing me to maintain a flexible schedule to make space for business development and to be more present for our children. He is a hands-on father and truly my partner in managing our household and raising our kids.
Reflecting on this question has made me realize how fortunate I am to be surrounded by such incredible people. Each person who has crossed my path has shaped me somehow, filling me with immense gratitude and humility. Their influences remind me daily of the collaborative nature of success and the importance of community and support in achieving one’s goals.
Pricing:
- We accept insurance
- Individual therapy cash pay ranges from $135-$200
- “Parent. Breathe. Repeat.” can be downloaded on my website for $15 (paperback available soon)
- Perination.com Birth Trauma e-course = $75.00
Contact Info:
- Website: www.docmompsyd.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drkafferpsyd/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DocMomPsyD/
- Other: www.perination.com (educational platform)
