We were lucky to catch up with Nicole Kumi recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Nicole thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Was there a moment in your career that meaningfully altered your trajectory? If so, we’d love to hear the backstory.

In 2018 I had my first child and experienced postpartum depression. I am a behavioral healthcare provider so finding myself on the other side of the spectrum was more difficult than I had anticipated. I couldn’t find appropriate care that was designed specifically for me, and recognized that there wasn’t alot of information, support, or resources available to postpartum moms. I remember feeling alone, scared, and somewhat ashamed of what I was experiencing. I was furious at the lack of services and care there was for moms mental health, and I decided that once I got well, I was going to do something about this.

Nicole, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

After personal experience with postpartum depression and anxiety I opened my own coaching and consulting program, The Whole Mom, where our primary focus is coaching moms during pregnancy and postpartum to assist their mental health as they transition in the fourth trimester. I felt called to provide the type of community, services, and supports that I was desperately seeking in my own journey, and wanted to make sure that what I experienced had purpose and was not simply a challenge in my life. My work fills the gap in service delivery once moms have had their baby. They see their OB one time, at the 6 week mark, and after that there is no mental health follow up. That is where The Whole Mom comes in. Through a variety of services we conducting educational courses and coaching calls that keep moms engaged in their mental wellness practices, provide them with on the spot support, and offer a sense of community to anyone who is feeling a bit lonely as she navigates this period of time.

If you could go back, would you choose the same profession, specialty, etc.?

I would absolutely choose to pivot into maternal mental health. My background is in criminal justice and I have a PhD in Advanced Studies in Human Behavior so this was a little different for me. It was important for me to get trained to work with this population and combine that with my educational background and lived experience, I feel at home when working with moms, especially in the perinatal period.

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

Listening. Listening intently, kindly, and without judgement. The trainings and certifications I have received have been remarkable to prepare me to do this work. The one area that I think is the most helpful is having the ability to listen to what your client is and is NOT saying. Paying attention to their daily habits and routines, what has worked for them in the past, how they view themselves now. The clients will tell you everything you know, and the more you work in a 1:1 capacity the more exposed you are to different areas of perinatal mental health (IVF, perinatal loss, etc.)

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thewholemom.com
• Instagram: nicole_kumi
• Facebook: Nicole Kumi
• Linkedin: Nicole Kumi

Image Credits

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