Mental Health Resources & Support for Women
Resources for the Many Seasons of Life
Sometimes a little information, a new perspective, or knowing where to turn can make a difference.
I've gathered some of my favorite books, podcasts, and resources on women’s mental health that I wanted to share. Some offer practical tools, while others provide reassurance, understanding, and a different way of looking at things. I hope you’ll find something that speaks to you.
— Mary Claire Kerwin, LCSW
Founder of Stone Harbor Therapy for Women
Mental Health & Women’s Wellness
Anxiety, Depression & Emotional Well-Being
National Institute of Mental Health — Reliable, research-based information on mental health conditions.
NAMI — Education, peer support, and guidance for individuals and families.
Grief & Loss
What's Your Grief — Accessible articles and practical support for different kinds of loss.
National Alliance for Children's Grief — Helpful for women supporting grieving children or family members
Infertility & Pregnancy Loss
RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association — Fertility education, support groups, and family-building resources.
Postpartum Support International — Also offers support related to pregnancy loss.
Perimenopause, Menopause & Midlife
- The Menopause Society — Excellent evidence-based information about menopause, emotional health, sleep, and treatment option
Pregnancy, Postpartum & Motherhood
Postpartum Support International — Perinatal mental health education, support groups, and help finding additional care.
March of Dimes — Resources on postpartum adjustment, anxiety, depression, and physical recovery.
Relationships, Boundaries & Safety
The Gottman Institute — Articles on communication, conflict, and healthy relationships.
National Domestic Violence Hotline — Confidential support, safety planning, and referrals.
Books
Books can offer a fresh perspective, help us better understand what we're experiencing, or simply remind us that we're not alone. Here are a few books that explore the challenges, relationships, and transitions women experience throughout life.
Some offer practical tools, while others provide reassurance, understanding, and a different way of looking at things. I hope you'll find something that speaks to you.
Set Boundaries, Find Peace
Nedra Glover Tawwab · Boundaries and people-pleasing: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle
Emily Nagoski & Amelia Nagoski · Stress and overwhelm
The Happiness Trap
Russ Harris · Anxiety, low mood, and feeling stuck
The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook: A Proven Way to Accept Yourself, Build Inner Strength, and Thrive
Kristin Neff & Christopher Germer · Self-esteem and self-criticism
Real Self-Care
Pooja Lakshmin, MD · Women's identity, guilt, and expectations
Women Rowing North
Mary Pipher · Midlife, aging, and life transitions
The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work
John Gottman & Nan Silver · Relationships and communication
Good Moms Have Scary Thoughts: A Healing Guide for New Mothers
Karen Kleiman · Postpartum anxiety and motherhood
It's OK That You're Not OK: Living Beyond Grief and Loss in a Culture That Doesn't Understand
Megan Devine · Grief and loss
The Menopause Manifesto: Own Your Health with Facts and Feminism
Dr. Jen Gunter · Perimenopause and menopause
Podcasts
We Can Do Hard Things
Glennon Doyle, Abby Wambach & Amanda Doyle
Honest, often funny conversations about relationships, identity, motherhood, grief, boundaries, and the unexpected challenges of being a woman. Particularly good for listeners who appreciate vulnerability and real-life experiences.
Listen to the podcastTherapy for Black Girls Podcast
Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, licensed psychologist
Thoughtful discussions of anxiety, relationships, self-worth, boundaries, and personal growth, centering Black women's experiences. A strong combination of professional expertise and accessible conversation.
Listen to the podcastWhere Should We Begin?
Esther Perel, psychotherapist
Fascinating recordings of therapeutic conversations about marriage, intimacy, betrayal, communication, and family relationships. One of the strongest for compelling storytelling and insight into how relationships work.
Explore episodesInsights from the Couch - Real Talk for Women at Midlife
Colette Fehr & Laura Bowman, therapists
Specifically focused on midlife women navigating marriage changes, perimenopause, empty nesting, friendships, identity, and feeling stuck.
Listen on Apple PodcastsThe Anxiety Chicks
Alison Seponara & Taylor Marae
Friendly, relatable discussions about anxiety, intrusive thoughts, worry, and practical coping strategies. Particularly approachable for women who sometimes feel embarrassed by their anxiety.
Listen on Apple PodcastsThe Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos
Dr. Laurie Santos, Yale psychologist
Research-based explorations of happiness, habits, emotions, and the surprisingly common ways we misunderstand what will make us feel better. Excellent for curious listeners who enjoy psychology presented through stories.
Explore episodesSo Glad You Asked
Dr. Ruta Nonacs & Allie Hales · MGH Center for Women's Mental Health
A particularly credible resource addressing pregnancy, postpartum mental health, motherhood, and treatment questions with expert input. Educational.
Listen on Apple PodcastsMOTHERKIND
Zoe Blaskey
Focuses on the emotional side of motherhood: guilt, exhaustion, identity, self-criticism, and balancing personal needs with family responsibilities.
Visit MotherkindThe Anxious Achiever
Morra Aarons-Mele
Explores anxiety, perfectionism, burnout, mental health at work, and the pressure to succeed. Especially useful for professional women who look capable on the outside but feel overwhelmed privately.
Explore the podcastGood Mourning
Sally Douglas & Imogen Carn
Approachable, often candid conversations about grief, loss, friendship, and finding ways to live alongside difficult experiences.
When You Need Immediate Support
Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988)
Stone Harbor Therapy for Women is not an emergency or crisis service. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis or need immediate assistance, please do not wait for a response from this practice.
If you or someone you know is in emotional distress, you can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
If you are in immediate danger or experiencing a life-threatening emergency, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency department.
Whether something here resonated with you or you’re simply looking for a little more support, I’d love to hear from you. We can talk about what’s going on and how therapy might help.