You're worth it, mama.
Your birth story is not something to move on from. Its something to finally be heard.
The Birth Story Circle is a trauma-informed 3-week workshop in Columbia, Maryland that includes a compassionate space for healing, reflection, and community after difficult birth experiences and is facilitated by two licensed trauma therapists.
Our Mission
Your birth story deserves to be witnessed.
We believe healing can happen in spaces where stories are safely held, emotions are validated, and people feel less alone.
The Birth Story Circle exists to foster supportive reflection, empowerment, connection, and hope as participants navigate and honor their birth experiences together.
Supportive Reflection
Empowerment
Connection
Hope
You don’t need to know if your birth was traumatic or not to belong here. If your birth left you with questions, sadness, anger, confusion, or replays in your mind, this circle is for you.
This circle is for you if...
Your birth didn't go the way you planned and you're disappointed, angry, or grieved by it.
You've never had a safe space to make sense of what actually happened without feeling overwhelmed.
You feel like you should be over it by now but, you're not.
You believe your story is worthy of being witnessed, not minimized.
You want to feel less alone in what you experienced.
You're pregnant again and want to process your last birth experience so you can walk into your next one empowered.
The Circle Room
Teal velvet, soft poufs, warm light — arranged for you.
The Pearl Apa
Columbia, Maryland
The Journey
Three weeks. One circle. A new beginning.
Understanding Birth Trauma
Explore how birth experiences can impact emotional and mental well-being. Learn the foundations of birth trauma, how it shows up in the body and mind, and why your response makes complete sense.
Grief, Loss & Powerlessness
Explore grief, loss, disappointment, and feelings of powerlessness within a compassionate and supportive community. You will not be alone in this room.
Boundaries, Healing & Hope
Learn practical tools for healing, setting healthy boundaries, and moving forward with hope. Leave with a new relationship to your story — and to yourself.
This Birth Story Circle workshop covered the importance of processing our pregnancies, our births, trauma, postpartum and beyond. It serves as a reminder that we are never alone and how important it is to talk about our maternal mental health, no matter how long it has been. You're worth it, mama.
———— Birth Story Circle Participant ————
Your Facilitators
Both facilitators hold specialized training in perinatal mental health and birth trauma. This is not a support group or a therapy group. This is a clinically informed, intentionally held healing space.
You will be held by two licensed trauma therapists.
Brittany Moffitt, LCSW-C, PMH-C
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Certified Perinatal Mental Health Professional
EMDR Trained Clinician
I am currently accepting referrals for perinatal and trauma-focused therapy. Thank you for keeping Worthy To Live Therapy in mind when supporting those who may benefit.
Phone: (202)-643-4934
Nelly Hutchinson, LCSW-C, PMH-C
Licensed Clinical Social Worker · Healing Awaits LLC
Nelly is a licensed clinical social worker specializing in trauma, postpartum mood disorders, and perinatal mental health. Nelly founded the Birth Story Circle out of the belief that healing happens in relationships and that no mother should have to carry her story alone. She brings warmth, clinical expertise, and a deep respect for each person’s unique birth story.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
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No. The Birth Story Circle is a trauma-informed community workshop, not individual therapy. It is facilitated by two licensed trauma therapists, but the sessions are designed for group reflection, education, and community support, not clinical treatment. Many participants find it a meaningful complement to their individual therapy work.
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Absolutely not. Participation is entirely at your own pace. You are welcome to listen, observe, and simply be present. There is no pressure to share anything you are not ready to share. Just showing up is enough.
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There is no time limit. We welcome mothers who gave birth recently and those who gave birth decades ago. Birth trauma does not have an expiration date, and neither does the need to be heard.
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Each Birth Story Circle is intentionally kept small, a maximum of 8 participants to ensure every person feels seen, heard, and safe. This is not a large group event. It is an intimate, held space.
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Postpartum depression (PPD) primarily involves persistent low mood, loss of interest, and feelings of worthlessness after birth. Birth trauma (CB-PTSD) is specifically linked to the birth experience itself intrusive memories, avoidance, hypervigilance, and emotional numbing related to what happened during labor and delivery. The two can co-occur, and both are addressed within the circle.
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Yes, and it is encouraged. This workshop is designed to complement, not replace, individual therapy. Many participants find that the group experience deepens their individual healing work. We recommend letting your therapist know you are attending.
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Refunds are accepted up to 7 days before the first session. Registrations may be transferred to another participant with advance notice. No refunds for no-shows. If facilitators need to cancel a session, a full refund or transfer to the next circle will be offered.
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Yes. Many participants attend while pregnant with a subsequent baby, specifically to process a previous difficult birth before their next one. This is one of the most meaningful reasons to join the circle.
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No. This is a community support workshop, not a billable clinical service. Payment is made directly at registration. We offer tiered pricing options to support accessibility.
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To support a focused and emotionally safe environment, we ask that babies and children remain at home with a trusted caregiver.
Ready to Go Deeper?
The circle is a beginning, not an ending.
Both of our facilitators offer individual therapy for birth trauma, postpartum mood disorders, and perinatal mental health. If you feel ready for one-on-one support after the circle, we invite you to reach out directly.
Reserve Your Seat
You've carried this long enough. This is your invitation to put it down together.
Space is intentionally limited to 12 participants to protect the intimacy of the circle. Waitlist members receive 48-hour early access to registration before public registration opens.
Try One Session
Attend one evening of the Birth Story Circle
$200
— 90-minute professionally facilitated workshop
— A space to begin processing your birth experience
— Single session on Monday, August 10
— In person at The Pearl Spa, Columbia, MD
— Dessert, refreshments, and all workshop materials provided
Questions? Email hello@birthstorycircle.com
Join the Full Circle
The complete 3-week Birth Story Circle experience
$550
$600
— All three Monday evening sessions
— August 10, 17 & 24 · 7:00–8:30 PM
— Trauma-informed, clinically held space
— Community with the same group of women across all three weeks
— In-person at The Pearl Spa, Columbia, MD
Questions? Email hello@birthstorycircle.com
Not ready to register? Join the waitlist and we'll reach out when the next circle opens.
Refund Policy: Full refunds are available up to 7 days before the first session. After that, a credit toward a future circle will be offered.
If you are currently experiencing a mental health crisis, please reach out to the Howard County Grassroots Crisis Line at (410) 531-6677 before registering.