Today we’d like to introduce you to Betty Flores.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’m a perinatal therapist dedicated to supporting individuals navigating the complexities of parenthood, with a specialized focus on those experiencing scary intrusive thoughts and reproductive trauma. Scary intrusive thoughts can include unwanted, distressing images or impulses—such as fears of harming the baby, doubts about one’s role as a parent, or disturbing “what if” scenarios—that often feel deeply shameful or confusing. Reproductive trauma may involve experiences like infertility, miscarriage, stillbirth, traumatic birth, loss of a pregnancy or infant, or challenging postpartum adjustments.
I graduated with my Master of Social Work in 2014 and began my career in geriatrics. While meaningful, I quickly realized how emotionally and physically demanding that work could be. From 2015 to 2019, I worked in inpatient child and adolescent psychiatry, gaining invaluable experience in acute care and family systems.
After the birth of my first child, I struggled intensely with sleep deprivation and the transition to motherhood. I moved from full-time work to PRN, unaware at the time that I was experiencing undiagnosed postpartum depression, anxiety, and OCD. Despite having a therapist, a midwife, and a pediatrician involved in my care, none were trained in perinatal mental health. I was often told that what I was experiencing was “normal”—but it wasn’t.
During my second pregnancy, I sought out perinatal-specific support. I found Postpartum Support International (PSI), completed their initial 2-day training, and later their advanced training while still pregnant. This time, I worked intentionally toward my PMH-C credential, determined to access care that truly understood what I was facing. That second postpartum period, while still hard, was different—I had tools, language, and support. And I knew I wanted to help others find the same.
Going through it firsthand—and falling through the cracks even with professionals “watching”—showed me how little awareness and training still exists around PMADs, even among well-meaning providers. It’s what fueled my passion to become certified and help others feel seen, validated, and supported.
Now, I run a private practice specializing in perinatal mental health. I serve on the board of PSI’s Utah chapter and collaborate with doulas, pelvic floor therapists, lactation consultants, midwives, childbirth educators, and other birth professionals to create wraparound care for families.
With both personal and professional insight, I strive to create a safe, nonjudgmental space for clients to explore the most vulnerable parts of their journey—helping them understand that they are not broken, bad, or alone. My work is rooted in evidence-based care, compassionate validation, and a deep commitment to helping clients reclaim their stories while breaking cycles of silence and shame.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The biggest struggles came with my transition into motherhood. After my first child was born, I experienced intense sleep deprivation, anxiety, and intrusive thoughts that I didn’t have the language or support to understand. I had a therapist, a midwife, and a pediatrician involved in my care, yet none of them recognized the signs of postpartum OCD or anxiety. I was repeatedly told that what I was feeling was “normal”—but inside, I felt like I was falling apart.
It wasn’t until my second pregnancy that I started to connect the dots and seek out training in perinatal mental health. That process was empowering but also painful—realizing in hindsight how much I had suffered unnecessarily and how many others probably were too. It’s what ultimately led me to become certified, start a private practice, and get involved with PSI.
So no, it hasn’t been smooth. But every struggle along the way deepened my compassion, sharpened my purpose, and brought me closer to the work I do now—which is helping others feel less alone in their own journeys.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
What you should know is that I specialize in treating perinatal mental health concerns with a strong emphasis on evidence-based care—particularly Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for OCD and EMDR for reproductive trauma. I’m known for helping individuals who are navigating the complexities of parenthood and struggling with intrusive thoughts, anxiety, and trauma to feel safe, seen, and empowered in their healing process.
I’m especially known for my work with individuals experiencing perinatal OCD—those scary, unwanted intrusive thoughts that often feel taboo or shameful to talk about. ERP is the gold standard treatment for OCD, and I take great care to implement it in a way that is gentle, collaborative, and compassionate. ERP, when done correctly, doesn’t mean throwing clients into the deep end—it means building trust, working together, and moving at a pace that honors both the nervous system and the healing process. My clients often feel immense relief that they can address their OCD without feeling overwhelmed or re-traumatized by the process.
I’m also well known for my work with EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), particularly in the context of reproductive trauma—whether that’s infertility, pregnancy loss, stillbirth, traumatic birth, or the emotional complexities of postpartum. EMDR helps clients process and reframe painful memories that can keep them stuck, and I’ve seen people move from just surviving day-to-day to actually living and feeling whole again in their “new normal.”
What sets me apart is that I don’t believe in being a blank-slate therapist. I bring my full humanity into the room. I believe therapy should be a safe place to unpack not only personal pain but also the very real systemic and cultural forces that shape our experiences. Politics are personal. Mental health doesn’t exist in a vacuum. My clients know I’m someone they can talk to about reproductive rights, identity, gender roles, cultural trauma, and the unique pressures that come with parenthood in today’s world.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud of offering a space that’s not just clinically sound but emotionally safe. My practice is trauma-informed, identity-affirming, and rooted in the belief that no one should feel shame for what they’re going through. They can show up as they are, say the scary things out loud, and still be met with warmth, skill, and real support. I collaborate closely with doulas, pelvic floor therapists, lactation consultants, massage therapists, acupuncturists and other birth workers to provide truly wraparound care.
At the heart of my work is the belief that people deserve more than to just cope—they deserve to reclaim their lives. And with the right tools, support, and safety, that’s absolutely possible.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was social, driven, and always striving to do my best—though I didn’t realize at the time that much of that drive was rooted in underlying anxiety. Looking back, I can see signs of what was likely undiagnosed OCD and perfectionism, especially in how much I feared making mistakes or being judged. I put a lot of pressure on myself to be “good” at everything—school, friendships, sports—and was often consumed with the need to do things just right.
I started playing soccer at age 5 and played competitively throughout my childhood—first on a boys’ team, then with girls’ teams, and eventually in high school. I loved the sport, especially the competitiveness and being part of a team. I was very much a girly girl—into sparkles, lip gloss, and all things feminine—but out on the field, I was aggressive, focused, and determined to win. It’s funny how those two parts of me always felt like they had to be separate, like being “tough” and “feminine” couldn’t coexist. I loved being active and working as part of a team, and I also thrived in school.
Pricing:
- 185 – Intake Session
- 160 – Follow Up Sessions
- HMHI – Insurance
- EMI – Insurance
Contact Info:
- Website: https://perinatal-wellness.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perinatal_wellness/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bettyfloreslcsw/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@bettyfloreslcswpmhc/
