Why does the trash matter more than sex? Why do new moms feel like they’re drowning—and new dads feel helpless? And is “mom brain” actually… genius? Erin and Abe go deep with psychologist Dr. Nicole Pensak on what nobody tells you about postpartum life—and how couples can stay close through the chaos.

Maria Shriver's, The Sunday Paper 9 writers, policymakers, and big thinkers on what women really want and need from their village right...

In this episode, I’m joined by clinical psychologist and author Dr. Nikki Pensak to talk all about the postpartum brain—what’s really happening neurologically after birth, why it can feel so overwhelming, and how we can shift the narrative from “mom brain” to one of strength and growth. Dr. Nikki breaks down the science behind the brain’s transformation in motherhood, explains why this time can leave us feeling so emotionally rattled, and shares practical tools for calming ne

Dr. Nicole Pensak is on a mission to rebrand the mommy brain. As a clinical psychologist, author of “RATTLED: How To Calm New Mom Anxiety With The Power Of The Postpartum Brain,” and mother of two, Dr. Pensak knows how difficult the postpartum period can be. She joins Danielle and Simone to dive into the profound changes that occur during matrescence, and how to leverage them to your advantage.

Today I knelt on the floor, changing my son’s diaper. I placed my index finger along the ridges of indentation on his skin, just below his hip, as I loosened the tape. My brain instantly cued me to comfort him, anticipating that he might start to cry. It’s one of the many essential tasks on my unending mental to-do list. 

This week Dr. Kim is talking with Dr. Nicole Pensak. Dr. Nicole Pensak is a Harvard and Yale-trained Clinical Psychologist certified in Postpartum Mental Health and the Author of RATTLED, How to Calm New Mom Anxiety with the Power of the Postpartum Brain.

I thought I was alone navigating this Scylla and Charybdis of modern life—utter surrender to technology on one side or massive resistance on the other-until I talked with fellow psychologist and motherhood expert Nicole Pensak.

I used to treat women suffering from postpartum depression — then I became one. I hadn’t slept for five days when I dropped to my knees and curled up in the fetal position on my newborn son’s nursery room carpet. Maybe on the floor, I’d feel safe.

So many changes happen in the transition to motherhood, and these shifts run the gamut from physical, mental, emotional, and social...

Today we are creating a much-needed conversation about maternal mental health with the wonderful Dr. Nicole Amoyal Pensak. Dr. Pensak is...

We're diving deep into motherhood, mental health, and so much more with the incredible Dr. Nicole Pensak on this week's episode of The Monmouth Moms Podcast! 🎙️ Dr. Pensak is a mother of two, owner of Atlantic Coast Mind & Body, and a clinical psychologist dedicated to supporting women through the challenges of postpartum life.

Clinical Psychologist and Author of RATTLED. Academic Research Background in Health Behavior Change (e.g., exercise, smoking cessation, alcohol usage, substance abuse, healthy diet, HPV vaccination uptake, intervention development and dissemination).

Rather than a deficiency, “mommy brain” is an asset—and therapists can help their clients embrace it in the workplace.

By Emily Edlynn, PhD, Parents Magazine, September 14, 2023 Medically Reviewed by Dr. Nicole Amoyal Pensak Overprotective parenting can be...

By Adrianne Webster, June 21, 2023 Dr. Nicole Amoyal Pensak Quoted As surprising as it sounds, when you dive into it, there’s actually a...

By JESSICA BOOTH, June 20, 2023 Dr. Nicole Amoyal Pensak Quoted Every night since my second daughter was born, I’ve done the same exact...

by Chris Melore, StudyFinds.org, September 22, 2022 Dr. Nicole Amoyal Pensak Quoted NEW YORK — Two-thirds of working moms believe between...

In March of 2020, I planted my face in my son's bedroom carpet and sobbed. How could I possibly care for a newborn with a deadly virus...

by Chris Melore: View Full Article NEW YORK — A majority of parents feel no shame in sharing a bed with their little ones. In fact, seven...

NEWSWEEK, NICOLE AMOYAL PENSAK , CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST ON 5/6/22 AT 8:00 AM EDT View Full Article In March of 2020, I planted my face in...

A Better Way, Making it as a Momprenuer Listen to full podcast here. Dr. Nicole Pensak is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and owner of...

mbg Contributor By Julie Nguyen Expert review by Kristina Hallett, Ph.D., ABPP What is high-functioning anxiety? According to the DSM-5,...

Published in Moms Don’t Have Time to Write, Feb. 15, 2022 Effective ways to treat the real mommy wars happening inside your brain I paced...

On. Ep. 17 of Working Mom Hour we're talking with Dr. Nicole Pensak, a Harvard and Yale trained clinical psychologist helping to change...

by Wonder Woman, December 13, 2021 As if having a newborn is not challenging enough. Typically, approximately 10-20% of women will...

by Nicole Pensak, PhD and Jamie Jacobs, PhD Living with cancer and its treatment can introduce new stressors into your life. Along your...

A pilot study of mobilized intervention to help caregivers of oncology patients manage distress Abstract Objective Caregivers of patients...

2019 "Now a nearly $4M grant from the National Cancer Institute to researchers at University of Colorado Cancer Center seeks to lessen...

Dr. Pensak Speaks About Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Evidence-Based Treatment as the Mental Health Correspondent in: The Las Vegas...

Studies, doctors cite more mental health issues among young adults . View Interview

Dr. Pensak is developing an online program to help caregivers of patients with advanced cancer manage stress. Learn More

See Dr. Pensak's interview with Anne Mazza of Wellness Woodbridge program, located in New Jersey. This interview covered topics such as...

2016-2018 Dr. Pensak received a Career Development Award through the National Palliative Care Research Center and is currently testing...

With all illnesses, including cancer, the most important thing is to try to preserve quality of life. Intimacy is an important component...

As if having a newborn is not challenging enough. Typically, approximately 10-20% of women will experience postpartum depression and/or...

#highfunctioningdepression #highfunctioninganxiety #perfectionism #anxiety Broadly speaking, perfectionism is a personality style where...

Click here for some tips on managing stress associated with cancer. #Worldcancerday Cancer has interrupted your life and brought with it...

If you are one of the 40 million people (18.1%; per year) with anxiety in the United States, you’re in luck. Because anxiety is so...

Local community presentation at The Atlantic Club in Red Bank, New Jersey (January 2017). Contact Dr. Pensak to request other community...

November 22, 2019 by Cancer Today Staff November is National Family Caregivers Month—a time to raise awareness for the approximately 3...

ImpaImpact of a Mobilized Stress Management Program (Pep-Pal) for Caregivers of Oncology Patients: Mixed-Methods Studyct of a Mobilized...

#worldcancerday In my last post, The Top Tips for Managing Stress and Cancer, Part One, I provided the first set of coping strategies to...

September 2018 The Top Ten Tips For Managing Stress and Cancer presented at HackensackUMC Fitness Center Powered by the Giants.

Dr. Amoyal Pensak's mobilized stress management intervention for caregivers of patients with advanced cancer gains recognition. John...

Development of a Web-Based Intervention for Addressing Distress in Caregivers of Patients Receiving Stem Cell Transplants: Formative...

Ann Mazza talks with Clinical Psychologist, Nicole Amoyal Pensak, about anxiety and depression.