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Author Archives: Sheri Petruso, MSW, LCSW

older siblings

“When Do They Go Back” – Tips For Helping Siblings Adjust To A New Baby

The birth of a new baby can elicit various feelings for everyone in the family, including any newly minted older siblings. Every individual child will react uniquely. While some may find their new role as “Big brother” or “Big Sister” brings pride, status, and new privileges and freedoms, others may wonder – “Why’d you go […]

professional counseling

When It’s Not the Right Time

“Thank you, but it’s just not the right time” How often do we find ourselves repeating this common mantra with a slight wince? Up Next: An Open Letter To The Stressed Out Mamas “I would, but it’s not the right time” can be a way to fill a blank space in a conversation or life […]

Will My Abortion Impact My Relationship

Will My Abortion Impact My Relationship? Things To Consider

If you or someone you know is considering an abortion, one aspect of the decision you may feel unsure about is how or if making the decision to abort will affect your relationships with others in your life, such as your boyfriend, parents, friends, etc. What difference will it make, if any? Up Next: Dealing […]

PASS

Dealing With PASS (Post Abortion Stress Syndrome)

When a woman finds herself faced with the reality of an unplanned pregnancy, she essentially faces a decision between three options—parenting, making an adoption plan, or terminating the pregnancy through abortion. Particularly for women who find themselves in crisis situations surrounding or resulting in the pregnancy, abortion is often the first consideration.

Pregnant & Uninsured? Here’s How Birthright St. Charles Can Help

“I can’t continue this pregnancy – I don’t even have insurance” “I’m pregnant but don’t have insurance – what do I do?” Pregnancy can bring a lot of questions and concerns, especially when it comes to figuring out how to find a doctor and obtain the proper prenatal care for your pregnancy if you are […]

What Is A Safe Haven Baby?

Imagine being a new parent – perhaps young, perhaps without a support system, perhaps unable to care for your newborn due to circumstances outside of your control. You’ve tried all you can, yet the stress and demands are too great and it’s just too much. You need immediate relief, but what can you do?

We Are Stronger Together: Remembering Irena Sendler

March is Women’s History Month, an opportunity to celebrate and remember the countless women who have inspired, lead and catalyzed positive change in the history of humanity. Women are powerful individuals but can be even stronger when united together with passion for a common cause. I recently came across the story of one unsung hero […]

Understanding Consent & Your Rights

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines “consent” as a verb meaning “to give approval”. In the state of Missouri, as with all states in the United States, there is an “age of consent” that is the age at which the state has determined that someone can legally consent to participate in sexual activity. In Missouri, the ‘age […]

Finding the Right Pregnancy Resource Center For Your Needs

When a woman learns she is facing a crisis or unplanned pregnancy, one of the first questions she may find herself facing is “Where can I turn for help?” In Missouri alone, there are hundreds of resources available, from financial assistance to maternity shelters to pregnancy resource centers such as Birthright. Deciding which resources is […]

How Helpful is Therapy & Do I Really Need It?

Life is full of experiences that provide great opportunities for growth and change, but sometimes they are difficult or confusing. We start to question the next step to take or wonder if we’re handling the opportunities and change in the best way possible. Though therapy has sometimes been stigmatized in various ways and by certain […]