Ep 47 The NICU Experience

Honest Mamas Podcast

Welcome to episode forty-seven of the Honest Mamas Podcast. Today, Melissa speaks to Dr. Shelly Steinwurtzel about the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) experience.

Dr. Shelly Steinwurtzel is a New York state licensed clinical psychologist who has been working with children, adolescents, and adults since 2004 in their pursuit of lasting positive change.

After receiving her B.A. in Psychology and Sociology from Brandeis University, she worked as a Research Coordinator at the New York State Psychiatric Institute. While clinical research was of interest, Shelly knew she wanted to pursue a career helping children, adolescents, and adults through more individualized, clinical interventions founded on strong theoretical and evidence-based underpinnings.

Shelly earned her Masters of Education and Doctorate in Psychology focusing on School and Clinical Psychology at Pace University in lower Manhattan. She has worked in elementary, and middle school settings as well as multiple NYC hospital systems with people of diverse socio-economic, racial, and cultural backgrounds. In addition to clinical and academic work, Shelly supervised and taught undergraduate and graduate students during her Fellowship year as the Assistant Director of the McShane Center for Psychological Services at Pace University.

Currently, Shelly is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Medical Psychology at Columbia University Medical Center working in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and consulting with the Perinatal and Neonatal Comfort/Palliative Care Program. She is instrumental in helping parents and family members (siblings, grandparents…) as they navigate the joys and traumas of having a baby born early, or with medical complications, and sometimes, life-limiting conditions.

What you’ll hear in this episode

• What led Shelly to work with families and staff in the NICU
• The things Shelly has learnt since working in the NICU
• Ways in which to seek out emotional support through this process
• Being open to support from other parents in a similar situation
• How feelings of being out of control can increase anxiety
• Being open to conversation about the best course for your baby
• Working through the transition of leaving the NICU

Resources

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https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/mypreemie-app/id931150109?mt=8