Meet Abby Burd: Perinatal Psychotherapist and Educator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Abby Burd and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Abby, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
When I first started my business, I never thought beyond the traditional model for therapists. Someone comes to see me for the better part of an hour and pays me for the time. Simple, no? Yet once my business grew, my time filled up. About two years ago I reached the point I could not add any more client hours to my week. In fact, I felt too busy from a work/life balance perspective. I really struggled with wanting to help everyone that reached out to me. To be honest, I also thought about how I could increase my income without adding more hours to the day.

I realized I needing to think outside the traditional model. In therapy, being seen and heard in your unique situation is gold. However, a piece of therapy is me teaching my clients. For example, I often teach coping skills. For many of my clients, especially for perinatal clients (my specialty) the same topics come up again and again. I realized if I could somehow package up my teaching, I could reach more people, without the constraints of time. It could also be more affordable and accessible for them.

In early 2019 I started creating online courses. The first provided a comprehensive program to prevent postpartum depression, using videos, readings, guided journaling and a private community to share comments. The second, released Valentine’s Day this year, focused on relationships after baby. Similarly, when a publisher asked me to create a workbook for postpartum depression this year, I jumped at the chance to reach more people with material I know helps. Finally, I know that some people claim “passive income” is a great way to sit back and collect money. From my perspective, it is FAR from passive. A lot of work goes into creating courses and books. But I think of it as front-loaded. The work is done, for the most part, and has potential beyond the hours in my day.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
One challenge I didn’t expect was the pandemic. I mean who did? But it definitely added a layer to my process of writing a book. I had just signed the contract with the publisher to deliver a full manuscript in a very short time when my children’s school closed. I had anticipated working on the book during my “day off” when they were at school. I am privileged to have an amazing partner who shouldered even more of the parenting and housekeeping roles. We still struggle with how little time there is for everything, but I am so lucky to be married to someone who cares deeply about our children.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
During the pandemic I have been walking throughout the neighborhoods more than ever. I love all of the little “pocket parks.” They each have their own character.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’m dedicating this shout out to the local non-profit, “Postpartum Health Alliance.” Visit them at postpartumhealthalliance.org.

Website: https://www.burdtherapy.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/burdtherapy/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abigailburd
Twitter: https://twitter.com/burdtherapy
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BurdPsychotherapy/
Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/abigail-burd-lcsw-burd-psychotherapy-san-diego
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsqdnpiWGWyCn1HX00GxYObgGDFY0yCuX
Other: https://preventppd.com Prevent Postpartum Depression course

Image Credits
Matt Burd