SCIENCEWORKS
BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE
Edited and reviewed:
June 10, 2026
Reviewed by:
Complete Care for all Neurotypes
Therapy | Assessments | Coaching
BIRTH & PERINATAL TRAUMA
Birth and perinatal trauma therapy in Nashville
Trauma-informed therapy for parents after a frightening or traumatic birth — in person at our Nashville office or by secure telehealth, so you feel safe again.
Panic, flashbacks, or numbness about the birth
IS BIRTH TRAUMA THERAPY FOR YOU?
A good fit if your birth still affects you
Trauma-focused therapy attuned to pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum body
Grounding and nervous-system regulation paced around a newborn's demands
A clinician who takes emergency, NICU, and obstetric trauma seriously
Licensed Providers
Telehealth Nationwide*
Neuro-affirming
Private & Secure
HOW BIRTH TRAUMA THERAPY WORKS
What therapy for birth and perinatal trauma involves
A hard pregnancy, a frightening delivery, an emergency C-section, or a NICU stay can leave the body braced for danger long after everyone says you should just be grateful. Birth and perinatal trauma therapy is a structured, trauma-informed way to make sense of what happened and to ease the flashbacks, dread, and hypervigilance that can follow a traumatic birth.
Your clinician draws on trauma-focused approaches such as CBT and EMDR, somatic grounding, and nervous-system regulation, paced realistically around feeding, sleep loss, and the identity shift of new parenthood. Rather than reliving the worst moments on repeat, the work helps your mind and body learn that the danger has passed, so birth reminders, future-pregnancy fears, and your bond with your baby feel steadier.
KEY STATISTICS ABOUT BIRTH TRAUMA
1 in 5
of women experience depression or anxiety in the perinatal period
Source:
3%
of women develop PTSD following childbirth
Source:
#1
perinatal mental health is the top complication of childbirth
Source:
WHAT TO EXPECT
Gentle to start, steady the whole way
1
Free 15-minute consult.
We hear what your birth was like and what you're hoping for — at your pace, no pressure.
2
3
When you're ready, we gently process the birth so reminders and fears loosen their grip.
You're paired with a perinatal-informed clinician, and we start with safety first.
Get matched and begin.
Process and reclaim.
Payment options
As a specialty practice, we're out-of-network so we can offer the most effective, customized services.
Our payment options are transparent and flexible:
-
Self-Pay: All major credit cards; FSA/HSA eligible
-
Payment Plans: 6-months interest-free for approved clients via CareCredit
-
Superbills Provided
-
Out-of-Network: Up to 90% reimbursement for qualifying plans
WHO YOU'LL WORK WITH
Licensed, perinatal-informed, clinically reviewed
Your therapy is provided by licensed Tennessee clinicians with specialized training in trauma and perinatal mental health, including birth trauma, loss, and the postpartum transition. Care is clinically supervised and reviewed — you work with someone who understands perinatal trauma, not a generalist.
Dr. Kiesa Kelly (she/her)
Owner & Psychologist
Ryan Burns (he/him)
Practice Director
WHY CLIENTS CHOOSE SCIENCEWORKS
Perinatal-affirming and evidence-based
Because we're independent and out-of-network, sessions fit around feeding and naps — not a clinic's schedule or an insurer's session limit.
You're matched with a clinician trained in perinatal trauma and birth-related PTSD, using approaches like CBT and EMDR — not generic counseling.
Care is parent-affirming — in person at our Nashville office or by secure telehealth statewide, including from home with a newborn nearby.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Common questions
Is therapy online, or do I need to come in person?
ScienceWorks provides birth and perinatal trauma therapy in person at our Nashville office or by secure telehealth to clients across Tennessee. Many meet online from home around feeds and naps; in-person sessions in Nashville are available if you prefer.
It's been years since the birth. Is it too late?
No. Birth trauma can surface months or years later, sometimes during a new pregnancy or a child's milestone. Trauma-informed therapy helps whether your birth was recent or long ago — the nervous system can still learn that the danger has passed.
What does therapy cost, and will insurance help?
We review fees, scheduling, and any out-of-network reimbursement options before you commit, so there are no surprises. Many clients use FSA or HSA funds or monthly superbills; we'll walk you through what applies to your situation.
*Therapy and assessments available in the following states (coaching available worldwide):
Work with us locally:
AL, AZ, AR, CO, CT, DE, DC, FL, GA, ID, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, ME, MD, MI, MN, MS, MO, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NC, ND, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WV, WI, WY
2603 Elm Hill Pike, Suite C
Nashville, TN 37214
Disclaimer: This page provides general educational information and is not a substitute for mental health diagnosis or treatment. Reading this page does not create a therapist–client relationship with ScienceWorks Behavioral Healthcare. If you are in crisis or may be at risk of harm to yourself or others, call 911, go to your nearest emergency room, or call/text 988 (U.S.). Additional emergency support can be found here: Emergency Resources.