Great Lakes Perinatal Wellness Company Profile

Background

Overview

Great Lakes Perinatal Wellness (GLPW) was a specialized mental health practice based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, dedicated to providing comprehensive, trauma-informed mental health and wellness services to new and expectant parents and their families. The organization focused on supporting individuals through the perinatal period, encompassing pregnancy and the first year of parenthood. GLPW emphasized creating a safe, affirming, and accessible environment for clients, integrating various therapeutic approaches to address the unique challenges faced during this transitional life stage.

Mission and Vision

GLPW's mission was to offer compassionate and effective mental health support tailored to the needs of perinatal individuals and families. The vision centered on fostering a community where every parent and child could thrive, supported by evidence-based practices and a deep understanding of perinatal mental health.

Industry Significance

In the context of the mental health industry, particularly within the perinatal sector, GLPW played a crucial role in addressing the often-overlooked mental health needs of new and expectant parents. By offering specialized services, the organization contributed to the broader conversation on maternal and paternal mental health, advocating for comprehensive care that includes emotional and psychological well-being during the perinatal period.

Key Strategic Focus

Core Objectives

GLPW aimed to provide holistic mental health services that addressed the emotional, psychological, and social challenges associated with pregnancy and early parenthood. The organization focused on:

• Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs): Offering support and treatment for conditions such as postpartum depression and anxiety.

• Trauma-Informed Care: Implementing therapeutic approaches sensitive to the impact of trauma on mental health.

• Community Engagement: Building a supportive community for parents through group therapy and educational workshops.

Areas of Specialization

GLPW specialized in:

• Individual Therapy: Providing personalized counseling sessions for parents navigating perinatal challenges.

• Group Therapy: Facilitating group sessions to foster peer support and shared experiences.

• Educational Workshops: Offering workshops on topics like childbirth education, infant care, and parenting strategies.

Key Technologies Utilized

The organization employed various therapeutic modalities, including:

• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): A technique used to help individuals process and recover from trauma.

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): A structured, time-limited psychotherapy that aims to address dysfunctional emotions, behaviors, and cognitions.

Primary Markets Targeted

GLPW primarily served:

• Expectant Parents: Individuals preparing for the arrival of a new child.

• New Parents: Individuals adjusting to life with a newborn.

• Families: Including partners and extended family members seeking support during the perinatal period.

Financials and Funding

Specific financial details regarding GLPW's funding history, total funds raised, recent funding rounds, and notable investors are not publicly disclosed. As a private practice, such information is typically confidential. The organization was committed to financial accessibility, offering a range of payment options and accepting various insurance plans to ensure services were available to a broad demographic.

Pipeline Development

As a mental health service provider, GLPW did not have a product development pipeline in the traditional sense. However, the organization continually developed and refined its service offerings, including:

• Therapeutic Services: Expanding and enhancing individual and group therapy sessions.

• Educational Programs: Developing workshops and resources to address emerging needs in perinatal mental health.

• Community Outreach: Initiating programs to increase awareness and access to perinatal mental health services.

Technological Platform and Innovation

Proprietary Technologies

GLPW utilized evidence-based therapeutic techniques and maintained a client portal for scheduling and communication, enhancing accessibility and client engagement.

Significant Scientific Methods

The organization employed:

• Trauma-Informed Care Practices: Ensuring all services were sensitive to the impact of trauma on mental health.

• EMDR and CBT: Utilizing these modalities to effectively address perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.

Leadership Team

Key Executives

• Sierra Hillebrand, MA, MLP: Founder and Psychotherapist. With over two decades of experience, Sierra specialized in perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, trauma, and post-traumatic stress. She was trained in EMDR and committed to building models of care that prioritize access, sustainability, and justice.

• Yemisi Odetoyinbo, LMSW: Psychotherapist with expertise in infant mental health, somatic therapy, and PMADs. She held an Infant Mental Health Endorsement (III) and was committed to providing culturally responsive care.

• Olga Blum, MA, LLP: Psychotherapist specializing in perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, trauma-informed care, and EMDR. She was a bilingual provider offering services in English and Russian.

• Giselle Kalnasy, LMSW, CAADC: Psychotherapist with expertise in perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, trauma, PTSD, and substance use disorders. She was certified as an Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor.

• Brooke Gabriel, LMSW: Psychotherapist specializing in perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, trauma, PTSD, CBT, DBT, and child-parent psychotherapy.

• Tiana Tutu-Anokye, LMT, CPE, CD: Massage Therapist and Certified Perinatal Educator, offering prenatal and postpartum massage, perinatal education, lactation support, and trauma-informed care.

• Anjail Mohammed, BBA: Practice Manager and Certified Doula, overseeing business operations and providing prenatal and postpartum support.

Leadership Changes

There are no publicly available records indicating recent significant changes or appointments within GLPW's leadership team.

Competitor Profile

Market Insights and Dynamics

The perinatal mental health sector is a growing field, recognizing the critical importance of mental health support during pregnancy and early parenthood. Demand for specialized services is increasing as awareness of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders rises.

Competitor Analysis

GLPW's primary competitors included other mental health practices and organizations offering perinatal services in the Ann Arbor and greater Michigan area. Notable competitors were:

• Ann Arbor Birth & Family: Provides birth and postpartum doula services, childbirth education, and perinatal counseling.

• Haven Wellness: Offers mental health services with a focus on perinatal care.

• Rise Wellness Collaborative: Provides therapeutic services specializing in perinatal mental health.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

GLPW collaborated with local organizations to enhance service delivery and community outreach. For instance, they were recommended by Ann Arbor Birth & Family for their specialization in birth trauma, postpartum depression, perinatal adjustment, and parenting.

Operational Insights

GLPW's commitment to financial accessibility, including accepting various insurance plans and offering reduced-fee services, positioned it competitively in the market. The organization's focus on trauma-informed, culturally responsive care further differentiated it from competitors.

Strategic Opportunities and Future Directions

While GLPW ceased operations as a group practice, many of its providers continued to offer perinatal mental health care independently or through other organizations. This continuity ensures that the expertise and services developed by GLPW remain available to the community, supporting the ongoing need for specialized perinatal mental health services.

Contact Information

As of March 2026, Great Lakes Perinatal Wellness is no longer operating as a group practice. However, former providers continue to offer perinatal mental health services independently or through other organizations. For more information or to connect with former providers, please visit their individual profiles or contact them directly.