Business Details
8 Years
experience
Your Trusted Partner for Perinatal Mental Health Solutions
Better Beginnings is a dedicated perinatal mental health practice committed to supporting individuals through the emotional challenges of pregnancy, postpartum, and reproductive health. Our specialized programs combine multidisciplinary care, onsite psychiatry, and evidence-based therapies to address depression, anxiety, OCD, and other perinatal mental health complications. With locations in Alachua, South Florida, Jacksonville, and Georgia, we offer unique Mother/Baby Partial Hospitalization and Intensive Outpatient Programs that prioritize bonding while providing intensive treatment.Our REMS-certified facility for Zulresso infusion therapy addresses moderate-to-severe postpartum depression, and our outpatient counseling services extend to general adult mental health and perinatal loss support. We emphasize proactive mental health care through prenatal preparation and pre-conception planning, ensuring comprehensive support across the reproductive journey.
Services
Perinatal Mental Health
PHP/IOP Program
Counseling & Psychiatry
Infertility & Loss Support
Prenatal Preparation
Details
- Year established: 2018
Highlights and features
- We offer the Southeast's only Mother/Baby PHP/IOP program with onsite nursery access.
- Our multidisciplinary teams provide integrated psychiatry, counseling, and bonding support.
- REMS-certified facility for FDA-approved Zulresso infusion therapy for postpartum depression.
- Specialized care for perinatal loss, infertility, and reproductive health transitions.
- Proactive prenatal mental health checkups to prevent complications during pregnancy.
Associations and certifications
- REMS
Services
Mother/Baby PHP Program
Our Partial Hospitalization Program provides intensive, short-term treatment for perinatal mental health complications like depression and anxiety. Patients receive individualized care while bringing their babies to sessions, fostering bonding and reducing childcare barriers. The program includes therapy, medication management, and parenting support tailored to each mother-baby dyad's unique needs.
Counseling & Psychiatry
We offer outpatient psychiatry, medication management, and counseling for perinatal mental health and general adult psychiatric conditions. Services include pre-conception planning, pregnancy-related mental health support, and postpartum care. Our team partners with clients to explore emotional challenges and develop coping strategies in a supportive environment.
Infertility & Loss Support
Specialized counseling addresses emotional health during pregnancy loss, stillbirth, or infant loss at any stage. Our care includes navigating life-limiting diagnoses and processing grief through individual therapy and support groups. We help clients build resilience and find healing pathways during these challenging experiences.
Prenatal Preparation
Proactive mental health assessments identify risks before pregnancy complications arise. Services include pre-conception planning, stress management techniques, and education about perinatal mental health. This preventive approach helps clients build emotional resilience and coping strategies for a healthier pregnancy journey.
Zulresso Infusion Therapy
As a REMS-certified site, we administer brexanolone (Zulresso) for moderate-to-severe postpartum depression. This FDA-approved infusion therapy delivers rapid symptom relief through a 60-hour treatment protocol under medical supervision. Patients receive concurrent psychological support to ensure comprehensive recovery from postpartum mental health crises.
People
Lauren DePaola
Founder & Provider
Lauren DePaola founded Better Beginnings to address critical gaps in perinatal mental health care. With clinical expertise in reproductive psychiatry and a passion for maternal-infant wellness, she leads a multidisciplinary team dedicated to innovative treatment approaches. Her vision created the Southeast's first Mother/Baby PHP program with onsite nursery access.
Questions
What mental health conditions do you treat?
We specialize in perinatal depression, anxiety, OCD, bipolar disorders, and emotional complications related to infertility, pregnancy loss, and postpartum transitions.
Can I bring my baby to treatment sessions?
Yes, our Mother/Baby PHP/IOP program uniquely allows patients to attend therapy with their infants in onsite nursery-equipped facilities.
Do you accept insurance?
We assist with insurance verification for mental health services. Contact us directly to confirm coverage details for your specific plan.
Are telehealth options available?
Yes, we offer online therapy sessions to remove geographic barriers and increase access to perinatal mental health care across Florida and Georgia.
What is Zulresso infusion therapy?
Zulresso (brexanolone) is an FDA-approved infusion treatment for moderate-to-severe postpartum depression administered under medical supervision at our REMS-certified facility.
How do I schedule a consultation?
Call (386) 518-6089 to speak with our team and schedule a free phone consultation for any of our mental health services.
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