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Gestational Carrier Postpartum Program

6 Months of Therapeutic Support for Gestational Carriers

At Ebb & Flow Psychological Associates, we believe that postpartum care is just as vital as the support provided during pregnancy. For gestational carriers, the weeks and months after delivery can bring a complex mix of emotional, physical, and psychological shifts—many of which are too often overlooked. These experiences deserve compassionate, informed, and professional care.

That’s why we created a dedicated postpartum program just for gestational carriers. Designed to help carriers feel seen, supported, and emotionally safe, this program offers structured therapeutic support, flexible check-ins, and educational resources to guide each person through their unique postpartum experience.

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Program Overview

  • Duration: 6 months

  • Format: Virtual via secure, HIPAA-compliant telehealth

  • Cost: $1,000 (Frequently covered by surrogacy agencies or intended parents)

This Program is Open For:

  • First-time or experienced gestational carriers

  • Carriers seeking professional postpartum mental health support

  • Surrogacy programs and intended parents offering comprehensive emotional care

Why Postpartum Support Matters

Surrogacy is a profound, life-changing journey that affects the mind, body, and heart. While much of the focus is placed on the pregnancy itself, the postpartum period often lacks structured emotional care, leaving gestational carriers to process their experiences alone. Our program is thoughtfully designed to fill that gap by honoring the surrogate’s journey and empowering them to move forward with clarity and support.

 

We offer monthly therapy sessions, emotional check-ins, and evidence-based education to help process the surrogacy experience, manage hormonal and mood changes, navigate identity shifts, and reintegrate into everyday life with confidence and care.

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What’s Included in the Postpartum Support Package

Designed to be Thorough, Compassionate, and Tailored to YOU

6 Monthly Individual Therapy Sessions

  • One 45-minute session each month with a licensed psychologist

  • Structured yet flexible format personalized to your journey

  • Core therapeutic themes listed below

2 Emotional Check-Ins Per Month

  • Provided by supervised doctoral-level psychology interns

  • Short, 15–20 minute one-on-one check-ins for additional support

  • A safe space to process emotions, ask questions, or explore needs between sessions

Monthly Psychoeducation Modules

Each video-based module includes guided reflection, handouts, and tools for navigating postpartum challenges. Topics may include:

  • Emotional normalization and hormonal shifts

  • Identity exploration and grief processing

  • Relationship dynamics and boundary setting

  • Body image, physical healing, and self-compassion

  • Communication changes with intended parents

  • Mixed emotions and unexpected psychological responses

  • Sleep, stress, and mood regulation

  • Creating a personal wellness plan

Emotional Health Screenings

We use trusted tools like the EPDS, GAD-7, and PHQ-9 to screen for postpartum depression, anxiety, and mood challenges at the following intervals:

  • 2 weeks postpartum

  • 6 weeks postpartum

  • 3 months postpartum

  • 6 months postpartum

Optional Partner Sessions

  • 30-minute telehealth sessions available for $100

  • Designed to support relational dynamics during the postpartum transition

Referrals for Continued Support

  • Recommendations and referrals for ongoing mental health care or couples counseling after the program concludes

Certificate of Completion

  • Recognition of your commitment to postpartum well-being

  • Can be used for personal records or future family-building documentation

  • Optional treatment summary letter available for your surrogacy agency or intended parents

Session Themes & Structure

Our postpartum support program is built around six core themes, each explored during a monthly therapy session. While the structure offers consistency, sessions are always tailored to your personal experience and emotional needs.

Session 1: Emotional Normalization & Hormonal Shifts

  • Validates postpartum emotions and explains physical responses

  • Explores common hormone changes after birth

Session 2: Identity Exploration & Grief Processing

  • Navigates the complex identity of being a surrogate

  • Supports grief or unexpected emotions related to the journey

Session 3: Relationship Dynamics & Boundary Setting

  • Offers tools for maintaining healthy communication

  • Focuses on boundaries with intended parents, family, and support systems

Session 4: Body Image, Physical Healing & Self-Compassion

  • Encourages body acceptance and healing

  • Builds self-compassion for postpartum changes

Session 5: Coping with Mixed Emotions

  • Prepares for delayed or unexpected psychological responses

  • Teaches grounding and mood regulation techniques

Session 6: Preparing for Closure & Future Conversations

  • Reflects on the journey and promotes closure

  • Offers strategies for continued or ending contact with intended parents

  • Introduces a customized wellness plan for the future

Flexible & Personalized Care

Every gestational carrier’s experience is different—and we honor that. Our program follows a general outline to ensure thorough care but remains flexible so that each session and check-in can meet your personal needs, emotions, and goals.

Start Your Postpartum Support Journey Today

Whether you’re a surrogate seeking care or an agency looking to provide thoughtful postpartum services, we’re here to help. For more information email drbrookland@yourebbflow.com or call/text us at 717-883-1570.

Let’s work together to support your emotional wellbeing—because your story matters, and your care shouldn’t end at delivery.

Meet Our Reproductive Psychology Team

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Jennifer Collins, PsyD, MSCP

Founder & Licensed Psychologist

Dr. Collins is a licensed clinical psychologist and the CEO and Founder of Ebb & Flow Counseling + Coaching. With over 12 years of experience at the doctoral level, and worked as a clinical psychologist within a health system for 13 years.

She specializes in infertility and reproductive psychology, guiding intended parents through fertility treatments, including the use of donor gametes. Dr. Collins also performs psychological evaluations for women considering egg/sperm donation or surrogacy, ensuring they are fully prepared for the journey ahead.

Known for her warm and compassionate approach, Dr. Collins balances support with challenge, using therapeutic humor to put clients at ease. With PSYPACT authority, she offers telepsychology services across 39 U.S. states, making her expertise widely accessible.

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Rachel Brookland, PsyD

Licensed Psychologist

Dr. Brookland is a licensed clinical psychologist with PSYPACT credentials at Ebb & Flow Counseling + Coaching. She graduated from Council Rock High School, Muhlenberg College (BS), and The Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (MS, Psy.D.).

Dr. Brookland brings extensive experience from diverse settings, including hospitals, family medicine practices, community mental health, and graduate school counseling centers. Her expertise includes women’s emotional wellness, infertility, and reproductive psychology, making her particularly skilled in conducting psychological evaluations for egg donor and sperm donors.

With PSYPACT authority, she offers telepsychology services across 39 U.S. states, making her expertise widely accessible.

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Spencer Brown, PsyD

Licensed Psychologist

Dr. Brown is a licensed clinical psychologist in DE and PA with PSYPACT credentials at Ebb & Flow Psychological. She graduated from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, where she developed a passion for women's emotional wellness, particularly across the perinatal spectrum.

 

Dr. Brown brings extensive experience from her pre and post-doctoral training in women's emotional wellness within a large health system in Delaware. Her expertise in infertility, pregnancy loss, and perinatal mood concerns makes her particularly skilled in supporting women and couples through the emotional challenges of the parenthood journey. She is dedicated to empowering women from marginalized backgrounds, helping them advocate for their well-being and access the care they deserve.

 

With PSYPACT authority, she offers telepsychology services across 42 U.S. states, making her compassionate and specialized care widely accessible.

Ebb & Flow Blog Posts

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A Note from Ebb & Flow

We are so excited that you are looking to Ebb and Flow Psychological for postpartum support. We are here to provide unwavering professional support through your journey, guiding individuals through with confidence. If you have any questions about our services, fees, or the process, please feel free to reach out. We are here for you.

- Dr. Jennifer Collins, Owner & Licensed Psychologist 

Ready to Take Your Next Step?

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