At MILIKA, Maternal Mental Health Is A PRIORITY. Here Is Why:
Percent of mothers who suffer from a mental health disorder, like depression, during pregnancy or postpartum period.
Number of mothers who suffer from a maternal mental health disorder in the U.S. every year
Of the those affected by maternal mental health, the percent of mothers that go UNTREATED.
MOM-mentum: Building Resilience in Motherhood
MOM-mentum is a resilience skill-building program designed specifically for mothers, offering practical strategies to help moms flourish and lead fulfilling lives, both for themselves and for their families. By integrating evidence-based interventions from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and positive psychology, MOM-mentum equips mothers with the tools they need to thrive amidst the demands of modern parenthood.
What are the benefits of the MOM-mentum resilience skill-building program?
More Patience
Learning resilience skills gives moms the tools to be patient and composed in moments of stress and challenges, leading to more positive parenting practices.
Improved Coping Strategies
Resilience training equips women with practical tools and techniques to manage difficult emotions, thoughts, and situations.
Better Emotional Regulation
By developing resilience, women can better regulate their emotions, leading to reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Increased Self Efficacy
Building resilience fosters a sense of self-efficacy and confidence in one's ability to navigate the demands of motherhood.
More Self-Compassion
Through self-compassion, mothers learn to offer themselves kindness and forgiveness when mistakes occur, recognizing that they like other moms who are also navigating the challenges and joys of motherhood.
Better Parent-Child Bond
Strengthening resilience can positively impact the mother-infant relationship by promoting secure attachment and responsive caregiving.
What kind of skills are taught in the MOM-mentum program?
Constructive Mindset Shifts
Identifying and challenging negative/catastrophic thought patterns to promote a more balanced and realistic outlook. This helps to 're-wire' the brain to be optimistic and versatile.
Manage Trauma Reminders
Providing mothers with strategies to identify and cope with trauma reminders can help them navigate triggers that may arise during pregnancy, childbirth, and beyond.
Nurture Self-Compassion & Gratitude
Through self-compassion and gratitude exercises, mothers learn to foster self-kindness, a strong inner voice, and have a growth mindset.
Holistic Stress Relief
Learning relaxation exercises, mindfulness, and breathing techniques to reduce physiological and psychological stress.
Practical Problem-Solving for Parenthood
Developing effective problem-solving strategies to address challenges and obstacles encountered across motherhood.
Social Support Enhancement
Exploring strategies to build and maintain social support networks, fostering connections with other mothers and supportive individuals.
Communication Skills
Building communication skills to express needs and boundaries effectively, both within personal relationships and with healthcare providers.
Time Management Practices
Helping mothers prioritize tasks, set realistic goals, and manage their time effectively can reduce feelings of overwhelm and increase their sense of control over their daily lives.
Mental Skills & Resilience Skills vs. Therapy: What is the Difference?
At MILIKA Center for Therapy & Resilience, we offer both mental skills and resilience training for athletes, as well as therapy. While these services often complement each other, they serve different purposes and are designed to meet athletes at different points in their journey.
Purpose: Building Skills vs. Addressing Deeper Challenges
Mental skills and resilience training are designed to proactively equip athletes with practical tools to manage pressure, build confidence, and navigate challenges more effectively. It focuses on strengthening the mental side of performance before concerns become overwhelming.
Therapy, on the other hand, is focused on addressing emotional distress, mental health concerns, or deeper patterns that may be impacting an athlete’s well-being, relationships, or performance.
Scope: Structured Skill-Building vs. Ongoing Support
Mental skills / resilience training is typically structured and goal-oriented, often delivered over a defined number of sessions or workshops (e.g., about 10-15 sessions). The focus is on learning and practicing specific strategies, such as emotional regulation, focus, and confidence-building, that athletes can apply immediately.
Therapy may be short-term or longer-term, depending on the athlete’s needs, and often involves deeper exploration, emotional processing, and ongoing support.
Goals: Performance & Resilience vs. Healing & Insight
Both approaches support overall well-being, but their goals differ slightly. Mental skills and resilience training focus on helping athletes:
- Manage stress and performance anxiety
- Build confidence and mental flexibility
- Stay focused and recover from setbacks
- Maintain balance across academics, athletics, and life
Therapy focuses on:
- Reducing symptoms of anxiety, depression, or burnout
- Improving emotional regulation and self-awareness
- Processing underlying experiences or stressors
- Supporting long-term healing and personal growth
Approach
Both incorporate evidence-based approaches; however:
Resilience skills training is psychoeducational in nature, with skill-building exercises, as well as cognitive-behavioral and mindfulness strategies integrated to foster adaptive coping mechanisms and enhance resilience.
Therapy does a deeper dive into evidence-based therapeutic modalities such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), interpersonal therapy, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), or others tailored to address specific mental health concerns and promote emotional well-being.
How They Work Together
In many cases, mental skills training and therapy are most effective when used together. Some athletes begin with skills-based training and later transition into therapy for additional support, while others integrate both at the same time.
Who It's For
Mental skills and resilience training are ideal for:
- Athletes looking to improve performance and consistency
- Student-athletes managing stress, pressure, or transitions
- Teams wanting to build stronger communication and resilience
Therapy is often a better fit for:
- Athletes experiencing ongoing anxiety, burnout, or emotional distress
- Those navigating injury recovery, identity challenges, or major life transitions
- Individuals who would benefit from deeper emotional support and processing
When burnout starts to creep,
And balance feels like a dream you can't keep,
Longing for moments of calm and light,
Parenting doubts clouding your sight,
Fear not, you can stay on track,
because MOM-Memtum is here to help you bounce right back!
MOM-mentum, your personalized path to a
resilient motherhood.
ABOUT US
Why Work With Milika Center For Therapy & Resilience
Here at Milika Center for Therapy & Resilience, we understand that seeking help for mental health concerns is a courageous and transformative step.
Whether you're facing stress, anxiety, depression, significant life changes, or are on a quest for personal growth, know that you are not alone. Our team is here to offer support and expert guidance every step of the way. Together, we can work towards building unshakable resilience, fostering self-awareness, and unlocking the potential for positive change.
As the MILIKA Founder and Clinical Director, I am committed to fostering a safe and nurturing environment where individuals can embark on their journey towards healing and personal growth.
Thank you for choosing us as your partner in your mental wellness journey. We are so honored and excited to be here for you and help you unleash your inner resilience!
Warmest Regards,
Dr. Kanchi
Meet The Team
Clinical Director
Kanchi Wijesekera, Ph.D.
Clinical Psychologist
Venus Mirbod, Psy.D.
Care Coordinator
Hailee Strong, M.A.
Yoga Instructor
Laily Gallo
Dear Mamas,
We know you're superheroes, juggling countless responsibilities with grace and strength every day. But even superheroes need a little support sometimes, especially when it comes to taking care of their own well-being.
At Milika Center for Therapy & Resilience, we specialize in helping moms like you rediscover your inner strength and resilience. We're here to offer you a safe space to explore your emotions, gain valuable insights, and develop resilience skills to navigate life's ups and downs with confidence.
Take the first step towards a happier, healthier you today. Let us be your partners in this journey of self-discovery and empowerment. Because every superhero deserves a sidekick!
With love and support,
Milika Center for Therapy & Resilience
Ready to get started?
Ready to get started? Start your journey towards resilience and mental well-being today by contacting us to schedule a consultation.