ABOUT US
Supporting Washington Care Providers & Families Since 1989.
Perinatal Support Washington (PS-WA) is a statewide non-profit committed to shining a light on perinatal mental health to support all families and communities. We support people in the emotional transition to parenthood, including those experiencing depression, anxiety, loss, infertility, trauma, and more. Find out what's new at Perinatal Support Washington.
Our toll-free telephone support line, the "Warm Line", has been operating since 1991, providing peer support to parents in need. We also offer mental health therapy, free and low-cost new parent support groups, culturally-matched peer support in King County, training and consultation for health care providers, and education and advocacy. We do all of this with the help of our dedicated staff, board members, and dozens of volunteers.
While we are based in the Seattle metro area, our support resources are found all over our beautiful state of Washington. Check out our directory to search for resources in your area, or learn more about opportunities for collaboration in your community, or become a professional member of Perinatal Support WA. Perinatal Support WA is proud to manage the WA Postpartum Support International State Chapter.
Learn more about our work by viewing our Theory of Change and 2025 Strategic Plan Dashboard.
OUR TEAM
Allie Lindsay Johnson, Executive Director
Allie Lindsay Johnson, Executive Director
Allie joined Perinatal Support Washington as Executive Director in September 2019 and has worked in non-profit management and fundraising for nearly 10 years. For over seven years, Allie served as Deputy Executive Director and Interim Executive Director of Seattle CityClub, collaborating with cross-sector partners to strengthen our state’s civic and community health. Prior to Seattle CityClub, Allie directed fundraising campaigns in Washington DC for national non-profit clients including Planned Parenthood. She’s beyond excited to get back to work to advance women’s health and support parents and providers across our state. Allie enjoys last-minute camping trips, rummaging through antique stores, wearing boots in honor of her Tennessee roots, and small-town life in Bremerton.
Allie.Johnson (at) perinatalsupport (dot) org
Mia Edidin, LICSW, Clinical Director
Mia Edidin, LICSW, Clinical Director
Mia is Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker in Seattle and has worked with families for more than 15 years. Mia works primarily with women and young children, specializing in pregnancy and postpartum emotional adjustment, attachment, and relationship difficulties.
Before getting her MSW in 2006, Mia worked as a doula and apprenticed with a midwife, where she learned about many aspects of maternal and child health. Mia’s professional and personal experiences have led to a fascination and deep commitment to exploring our experiences as mothers–both working individually with mothers processing their unique stories, and sharing the experiences that bind all mothers together. Mia has extensive experience working in community mental health and serving low income families. Mia continues a small private practice and her weekly new parents group, Adjusting to Parenthood, to keep her clinical skills sharp and stay up on current experiences of parents. Mia was a long term board member and is our current Clinical Director. She lives in Seattle, WA with her techie partner and has a (mostly) launched 20 year old.
Mia.Edidin (at) perinatalsupport (dot) org
Victoria Cherniak, MSW, Program Manager
Victoria Cherniak, MSW, Program Manager
In addition to her work with PS-WA, Victoria is a postpartum doula supporting families as they navigate the new and ever-shifting landscape of parenthood and has been a long time board member of NAPS Doulas.
Victoria worked as a social worker before her work in the postpartum world. Her positions included the Economic Justice Project at Columbia Legal Services doing public education and policy work in Olympia focused on consumer justice issues and at the King County Bar Association, she managed two pro bono programs that served the legal needs of immigrants and people experiencing homelessness. In 2007 she received the Golden Door Award from Northwest Immigrant Rights Project (NWIRP) for her work with the Newcomers Resource Project which trained volunteer attorneys to assist undocumented workers to recover wages employers intentionally withheld. In 1999 she received her MSW from the University of Michigan specializing in practice with communities and social systems.
Victoria lives in Seattle with her two children and dreams of summer when she can camp and backpack with her children.
Victoria.Cherniak (at) perinatalsupport (dot) org
Elizabeth Moore Simpson (she/her), LSWAIC, PERC Program Manager
Elizabeth Moore Simpson (she/her), LSWAIC, PERC Program Manager
is a mother of one and also identifies as a bereaved parent. She has worked with new families for over ten years before coming to PS-WA. She has dedicated her career to the work of ending health and economic disparities for communities furthest away from opportunity. Through an infant-early childhood mental and maternal health lens Elizabeth has practiced as a doula, restorative justice circle keeper, child and family therapist, and community organizer for racial and economic justice.
Additionally, Elizabeth is an Ethnic Minority Specialist with specific training, experience, and connection with the urban native community in the unceded tribal land known as ‘Seattle’. These are commitments that extend beyond her professional career as a social worker and are integral to how she views her responsibility to those whose land she resides on.
Elizabeth was raised in Seattle, and spends her (fleeting) spare time with her partner teaching their little one to fight the power!
Elizabeth.MooreSimpson (at) perinatalsupport (dot) org
Danielle Yamamoto, MSW, Program + Operations Coordinator
Danielle Yamamoto, MSW, Program + Operations Coordinator
Danielle Yamamoto, MSW, supports our mission as the Program and Operations Coordinator. Danielle is the newest member of Perinatal Support Washington and is excited to serve parents and families during one of the most significant chapters of their lives. She is the Program & Operations Coordinator and supports our mission by providing support to families and assisting with program and operational tasks. Danielle is passionate about serving her community and has worked with families for over 10 years.
Danielle obtained her MSW in 2011. She previously worked as a Victim/Witness Counselor for the Hawaii County Prosecutor’s Office, where she provided emotional support and assistance to individuals and families who were victims or witnesses of a crime. Prior to that she worked for a Mediation Center where she coordinated mediations and found her passion for being a part of small and growing nonprofits.
In her free time Danielle enjoys getting outdoors with her dog, Annabelle, binging shows on Netflix and going out to eat.
Danielle.Yamamoto (at) perinatalsupport (dot) org
Kay Hwang, PS-WA Program Support Coordinator
Kay Hwang
Kay Hwang joined PS-WA in 2021 and provides program and operational support. She has worked in higher education for 12 years and finds it fulfilling to serve individuals, families and care providers in the perinatal professions since 2011.
Eager to play a role in advocating for mental health care and wellness, she is gratified to provide assistance and learn from other people’s diverse perspectives and experiences.
Kay studied economics at the University of Washington and resides in Seattle. She loves yoga, the changing seasons, exploring different cultures & cuisines, and cats.
Aida Juarez, Spanish Warm Line Coordinator
Aida Juarez, Spanish Warm Line Coordinator
Aida coordinates our Spanish Warm Line, supporting our Spanish-speaking callers, developing culturally-relevant policies and procedures, and translating outreach materials. Aida joined PS-WA after attending a group peer support (GPS) training in Yakima.
For the past 20 years, Aida has been working with pregnant mothers, infants, and their families, providing brief counseling and referrals as a certified counselor and lactation specialist. She is the Social Services Department Manager at Tri-Cities Community Health, running the day-to-day operations of the department’s Maternity Support Services, WIC, Peer Counselor, and Outreach Programs.
Aida.Juarez (at) perinatalsupport (dot) org
Stephanie Valerdi (she/her/they/them), Parent Resilience Specialist
Stephanie Valerdi (she/her/they/them)
La Tonia Westerfield (she/they), Parent Resilience Specialist
Latonia Westerfield (she/they), Parent Resilience Specialist
Latonia supports pregnant and parenting families as a Parent Resilience Specialist and serves as an encouraging resource and witness for parents navigating the mental health landscape during the perinatal period. Latonia has spent the last 6 year advocating for families, attending births, and providing compassionate care as a birth doula and student midwife. She graduated from Birthwise Midwifery School in June 2021.
Prior to beginning birth work, Latonia studied maternal and infant morbidity and mortality as an undergrad and social-cultural anthropology major at University of Washington until she graduated in 2011. In all of her work and roles, Latonia uses the framework and lens of reproductive justice, equity, inclusivity, and radical rest politics to critically examine and dismantle structural and systemic inequality and oppression. Latonia is a mother of five and has personally navigated PMADs as a solo parent. Like so many others, she has experienced personal and professional loss, which allows her to offer families a variety of support tools and skills to help them along their wellness journeys. Latonia lives with her five vibrant daughters in South Seattle, where lots of dance parties take place in the kitchen while cookies are baking. She looks forward to the springtime when she can spend countless hours nourishing her soul in the garden with her hands in the warm earth. In the meantime, she enjoys binge listening to podcasts that center black femme narratives.
Melissa Burden, Warm Line Program Specialist
Melissa Burden
Melissa supports Perinatal Support Washington as the Warm Line Program Specialist. She is a mother to one, and after experiencing a PMAD herself became a dedicated volunteer and patient advocate for those who are struggling through the perinatal experience. As the Warm Line Program specialist, she supports the volunteers who provide the warm support and helpful resources to parents who are struggling and need space to be held. She also answers on the Warm Line, aligning with her dedication to supporting parents. Additionally, she dedicates her time to volunteering as a facilitator of a peer-support group. She is trained in the GPS (Group Peer Support) model, and is going on 4 years of facilitating for the Village Circle (Bellingham, WA). Melissa resides in Bellingham, Washington and spends her spare time building Lego with her 4 year old, reading, and spending time with her family & friends.
OUR BOARD + VOLUNTEERS
Perinatal Support Washington is a small but mighty statewide nonprofit and we are growing. We do a lot with very little - thanks to the help of our volunteers! If you are interested in volunteering or joining our Board of Directors contact us here.
Board openings include: Fundraising, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI), Legal, & more!
Learn more about board membership.
Volunteer opportunities include: Warm Line Support, helping out at events, sharing your story, and more.
Jenny Boe
Jenny Boe is a Vice President and commercial relationship manager with Washington Trust Bank, a privately held regional bank headquartered in Spokane, WA. Having joined the company in 2006, she has served in a variety of roles within the institution prior to advancing into the relationship manager position in 2012. Her areas of expertise include commercial and private banking as well as commercial real estate. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration (accounting focus) from Eastern Washington University as well as a master’s degree in business administration (finance focus) from Seattle Pacific University. After having her first child in November 2016, she experienced several postpartum mood disorders, including anxiety and OCD. Upon completing the Day Program through the Swedish Center for Perinatal Bonding and Support, she became passionate about giving back to the community and being able to help other mothers and families prevent and recover from perinatal mood issues. Her favorite things include time with family and friends, lots of coffee and wine, time to relax and enjoy a good book, trips to Canon Beach, and Christmas. Jenny currently serves as our Board Chair.
Samantha Konikoff
Samantha Konikoff is Chapter Liason for Postpartum Support International and a board member at large. She has 2 elementary school children and is a stay at home parent. She had postpartum anxiety and depression 9 years ago with her son and after she had her daughter 6 years ago decided to find a way to help new mothers in Whatcom County. She is a trained support group leader, and co-facilitates The Village Circle, a support group for pregnant and new mothers in Bellingham,WA. Sam is a patient advocate, and sits on the Maternal Mental Health Task Force through the Whatcom County Department of Health. She has been a guest on 2 podcasts, telling her story and keeps helping families so that hopefully one day, no one will have to go through what she did.
When not running support groups or volunteering, Samantha loves to read and spend time with her friends. The weekends are for family fun and jigsaw puzzles are one of her favorite things to do.
Amy Johnston
Amy Johnston manages executive engagement at Pivotal Ventures, an investment and incubation company dedicated to advancing social progress for women and girls in the United States. Prior to this, she served at the U.S. Department of State, furthering the foreign policy agenda of the Obama administration in legislative and public affairs. Amy attended Whitman College and received a J.D. from University of Oregon’s Knight School of Law.
After experiencing crippling postpartum depression after the birth of her second child, Amy became painfully aware of the isolation and barriers faced by parents struggling with postpartum mental health issues. New parenthood is overwhelming, whether it’s your first child or your fifth. Amy is dedicated to ensuring equitable access to postpartum care and mental health resources for all new parents in Washington State and is grateful for the opportunity to do so with PS-WA. She is lucky to have two young children and in her free time can be found chasing them around with her husband, spending time with friends, traveling, foraging for Dungeness and mushrooms, and cooking.
Luisa Bakhoum
Luisa Bakhoum is an environmental chemist who has worked for several years with children and families in different capacities from infancy to adolescence. She discovered her life commitment to be an active part of the support system that families need to thrive while being a preschool teacher. She has a two year old child who she has been at home with full-time since birth. The beginning of motherhood was easy for her, and this made it harder to notice symptoms of postpartum depression that developed several months after having her child. It was her experience on a parent support group that gave her the opportunity to access resources, and learn about perinatal mental health. After this, Luisa became a parent educator in Seattle, where she facilitated several newborn and toddler parent groups. Recently, Luisa was accepted to the Masters of Art in Child and Adolescent Psychology at the University of Washington.
She is excited to unify all these different aspects so that she can fulfill her commitment to support families in her communities. During her time to play, Luisa likes painting, swimming, and having many dance parties with her family at home.
Julia Beach-Ba
Julia Beach-Ba is a Clinic Manager for MultiCare Health System, who helps diverse populations navigate the medical system. Julia has worked in the healthcare field for over 10 years. She has worked for other organizations such as Swedish Medical Group and Neighborcare Health. A graduate of Western Governors University (Masters: Healthcare Administration) and Evergreen State College (Bachelors: Social Work & Community Service), Julia has been able to interact with patients in both a clinical and non-clinical setting. She works with a population that spans cradle to grave.
Julia is a mother of three children consisting of twin boys and a daughter. She identifies that there are many women who struggle with the demand to find a balance between motherhood and careers. This is the force that continues to drive her to help with finding and developing resources to make life enjoyable. In her free time she likes to travel, spend time doing water activities and cooking with her family.
Angie Myers
Angie Myers is a fundraiser specializing in planned giving for an international aid organization creating opportunity for families to thrive. After losing 2 pregnancies, and experiencing postpartum mood disorders after the birth of both of her children, Angie realized the strength mothers possess, and their ability to heal when they are adequately supported during one of the most vulnerable times in their lives. Angie believes that the grief we endure in life is powerful as it can motivate us to reach out to support others facing similar challenges. She does this by advocating for financial resources, and sharing the incredible story of the life-changing, and sometimes life-saving, services that Perinatal Support of Washington can provide. She has a background in wealth management, community engagement, and fundraising for a variety of nonprofits, but feels most called to support families with young children.
Angie lives in Snohomish County with her husband, a teacher and football coach, and her two children and two rescue pups. In her free time (what’s that?!) she is an avid reader, furniture refinisher, and student of using power tools.
Gabrielle Frank
Gabrielle Frank is a community health dietitian with a passion for supporting the holistic wellbeing of families. She has been helping families with food access and nutrition counseling before, during and after pregnancy in rural, central Washington since 2019. Prior to her current work, she assisted individuals with making long-term lifestyle changes to improve their health and reduce their risk for chronic illnesses. She is a new mother who experienced the emotional challenges of a complicated pregnancy. This experience and her newfound journey into motherhood has deepened her commitment to ensuring women and partners feel empowered and supported as they navigate the birthing and parenting experience. She enjoys creating unique vegetarian recipes and spending time outside with her family.
Maggie Meyers
Maggie Meyers works as Deputy Chief Communications Officer for the Washington State Charter Schools Association, a statewide nonprofit that supports a free, public, innovative options that meet the needs of systemically underserved students. A communicator by trade and at heart, Maggie is a fierce advocate for families who have been marginalized in and beyond our education systems. Maggie’s own experience becoming a mom and navigating the preconception to postpartum period fuels her deep belief in the importance of maternal mental health care, and to PS-WA she brings a commitment to increasing access to just, equitable, and quality care for all parents.
Maggie previously worked for a local, women-owned marketing firm, and as an NYC magazine coordinator, freelance editor, and writer for various magazines and children’s book publishers. Maggie earned her B.A. from Bowdoin College and holds a Master of Education in Language, Literacy, and Culture from the University of Washington. Outside of work, Maggie is in the throes of early childhood parenting with her husband and enjoys chasing their two young sons around Seattle’s parks and playgrounds.
Dr. Chelsia Berry
Dr. Chelsia Berry, the Dean of STEM & Business at Seattle Central College, began her pursuit of higher education at Dillard University in New Orleans, Louisiana as a Biology major and later earned both her master's and doctorate degrees from Howard University in Washington, DC. Her research examines the impact of early STEM exposure on African American students’ post- secondary STEM aspirations. Prior to moving to the Pacific Northwest, she spent time in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area as an educator. Dr. Berry has over 15 years of experience working in STEM at all levels of public education - teacher, principal, professor, department chairperson, curriculum writer, grant reviewer, and consultant. Dr. Berry has made State and national presentations to several professional groups including the Research Association of Minority Professors, Academy of Educational Studies, and National Science Teachers Association on educational leadership and STEM education. Most recently she presented on the merit, honor, and excellence of Women in Educational Leadership conference in Washington, D.C.
She currently serves on the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) Seattle Leadership Council, and Washington Math Engineering Science Achievement (MESA) Advisory Board. Additionally, Dr. Berry volunteers with the Northwest African American Museum, The Greater Seattle Chapter of the Links, Inc., the Phenomenal She organization, and Howard University Alumni Club of Greater Seattle.
Emily Steele
Emily Steele is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker specializing in birth trauma, NICU experiences and other postpartum and perinatal disorders. Emily has worked at Grassroots Therapy Group for over a decade as a therapist and contracted provider for child welfare. She obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Whitworth University and a Master of Social Work from Eastern Washington University. Additionally, Emily is an adjunct faculty member at Whitworth University and provides education to undergraduate students on the topics of Psychopathology. Emily’s transition into parenthood began with a birth trauma and two-month NICU stay resulting in PTSD, Depression and OCD. Emily’s passion for supporting parents in their parenting journey grew after struggling to find local support during and after her NICU experience.
Emily is the mother of two wonderfully wild daughters. She enjoys making memories with her children and husband of 13 years through travel, camping and spending time at the lake.
Shakima “Kima” Tozay
Shakima “Kima” Tozay is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Certified Grief Counseling Specialist, and a bereaved mom. She supports and advocates for families impacted by pregnancy and infant loss and trauma and other mental health challenges. In April 2021, Kima and a team of bereaved mothers, was instrumental in getting the Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth legislation passed in Washington State. Kima is also a member of Snohomish County Perinatal Mental Health Taskforce and the Washington Perinatal Mental Health Coalition. She is founder of Giving Tree Counseling & Coaching Services, PLLC. She lives with her husband in Stanwood, WA.
THANK YOU TO OUR FUNDING PARTNERS:
