Why I Started Ready Nest Counseling: A Personal Journey

By Emily Party, Founder of Ready Nest Counseling

Why I Started Ready Nest Counseling

Becoming a parent is one of the biggest transitions in life—exciting, overwhelming, and full of unknowns. Looking back on my own journey into motherhood, I wish I had the kind of support that Ready Nest Counseling provides today. That’s why I started this practice—to help individuals, couples, and families navigate the challenges of pregnancy, postpartum, infertility, and loss with compassion, preparation, and professional guidance.

In this video, I share my story—from the early days of wondering if we were ready to start a family, to facing postpartum depression, and ultimately creating a safe space where others can find real, compassionate support during pregnancy, infertility, postpartum, and baby loss.

The Questions We All Have Before Parenthood

Over a decade ago, my husband Josh and I found ourselves asking the same big questions that so many couples do:

💭 Are we ready to start a family?

💭 How will this change our relationship?

💭 Can we balance parenting with our careers and personal goals?

We didn’t have all the answers, but we knew one thing: we wanted to be as prepared as possible. We had a great experience with premarital counseling, so we decided to go back to our therapist—this time, to explore how parenthood would impact our lives.

For four months, we worked through topics like communication, teamwork, and expectations—not because we had problems, but because we wanted to set a solid foundation before stepping into this new chapter. And when we finally became parents, we realized just how much that investment in our relationship helped us.

Schedule Your Session

The Reality of the Postpartum Experience

Despite our preparation, becoming a mom was still one of the most challenging experiences of my life. I faced postpartum depression, and while I was lucky to find a supportive therapist, she wasn’t trained in perinatal mental health. I felt lost, like no one truly understood what I was going through.

I also lacked a community of moms who could relate to my struggles. Sure, I had wonderful friends, but I longed for a space where I could talk about the raw, unfiltered realities of motherhood without judgment. I needed practical tools, emotional support, and validation—things I know now are essential for every new parent.

Why Ready Nest Counseling Exists Today

That experience led me to create Ready Nest Counseling, a place where:

✅ Expecting and new parents can feel supported, not alone.

✅ Couples can prepare for the transition into parenthood before struggles arise.

✅ Those facing infertility or loss can find a safe space to process and heal.

✅ Maternal mental health is prioritized, with trained professionals who truly understand.

Parenthood changes everything—but with the right support, you don’t have to navigate it alone. Whether you’re planning for a baby, pregnant, postpartum, or struggling with infertility or loss, you deserve guidance, understanding, and tools to thrive.

Get Support Before You Need It

Too often, people wait until they’re struggling to seek help. But mental health care shouldn’t be reactive—it should be proactive. At Ready Nest Counseling, we believe in equipping individuals and couples with the skills and emotional tools they need to navigate parenthood smoothly.

If you’re in Nashville or Knoxville, we’re here for you. Don’t wait for a crisis—start building a strong foundation today.

Schedule Your Session

You are not alone, and you don’t have to figure it all out by yourself. We’re here to help.