NICU Trauma & Therapists Tools

What happens when the journey to parenthood takes an unexpected turn into the NICU? In this deeply human episode, Dr. Alexa Bonacquisti joins Allison Puryear to explore the emotional terrain of parents navigating premature birth, medical crises, and the grief of a derailed postpartum experience. They unpack everything from the psychological impact of NICU stays to the guilt, helplessness, and trauma that often follow—and how therapists can show up meaningfully for clients in the thick of it. If you’ve ever felt unprepared to support NICU parents (or are one yourself), this conversation offers powerful insight, clinical guidance, and a big dose of compassion.