Inspiring Conversations with Taryn Zweygardt of Flourish Wellness Collective

Today we’d like to introduce you to Taryn Zweygardt.

Hi Taryn, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.

I have a background in social work and a passion for supporting families during the perinatal period. My journey to where I am today began when I became a mother in 2015. My entire life, I wanted to be a mother, however, this life-changing experience led me to confront unexpected challenges like postpartum depression and anxiety. Like many mothers in this situation, I felt alone. I remember thinking to myself “If I, an educated mental health professional, felt lost during that period and couldn’t get the help I needed, I can’t be alone.” I wanted to help others like me. My personal experiences navigating perinatal mood and anxiety disorders ultimately inspired me to seek ways to help others facing similar struggles.

I started by researching, taking trainings, and getting involved with organizations like Postpartum Support International (PSI). Over time, I dedicated myself to perinatal mental health and opened my own therapy practice dedicated to working specifically with those navigating perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. I also joined the PSI Kansas Chapter and in February 2023 stepped into the role of Chapter Chair. In this role, I have been able to provide trainings to organizations working on identifying and screening for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, provide scholarships to get more providers trained in perinatal mental health and engaged in and encourage collaboration between providers across the state to better serve the families in Kansas navigating this season of life. 

In April of 2023, I met with a friend and a fellow therapist, Lauren Scafe. Neither of us knew how life-changing that dinner conversation would be, but we quickly realized we had experienced similar struggles while navigating motherhood. We dreamed of creating a collective to support families in our community better. 

And so, Flourish was born! Some days, I wake up and cannot believe this is all happening. This has been a dream of mine for so long. I just needed to find the right people, and I hit the jackpot!

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?

Are the good roads ever smooth? Haha! It has been a path of ups and downs, struggle, hardship, redemption, and hope. It’s been a meaningful journey and taught me so many lessons. That’s why it’s so rewarding to me now.

A couple of things stick out for me as I’ve navigated this journey, but a big one is just finding the right balance of all the things. Anyone who knows me knows how passionate I am about this work, sometimes almost to a fault. I want to help everyone, and I constantly remind myself to practice what I preach and work to find a balance between serving others and caring for myself. I am still knee-deep in my parenting journey, as my youngest just turned two years old, but my drive and desire to constantly learn more and support others can create a tug-of-war at times. I’ve learned the key to success is the impact we have on others, not on career accomplishments or praise. I’m so thankful to have grown my professional network over the last couple of years with amazing like-minded providers. 

As you know, we’re big fans of Flourish Wellness Collective. What can you tell our readers who might need to be more familiar with the brand?

Our mission is to empower individuals to access their own wellness and FLOURISH. We offer a comprehensive approach encompassing reproductive mental health, sexual wellness, physical well-being, medication management, and more, recognizing the profound interconnectedness of mental and physical health. As parents, we are constantly in the hustle and bustle of our kids’ lives. Many parents I’ve worked with in the past ignored their own needs simply because it just wasn’t convenient. Or they picked and choose services. For example, a mom who experienced a traumatic birth experience might seek out mental health support, but not be aware of the support she could receive also from a pelvic floor physical therapist. Both of those services go hand in hand to contribute to a more complete, well-rounded recovery. At Flourish, our vision was to create a space that addresses the multifaceted challenges faced by those navigating the perinatal phase of life and beyond.  We have worked to develop a one-stop shop for families, and our hope is to continue to expand and grow! By having a variety of providers under the same roof, we hope to eliminate the stress and overwhelm that can come during the search for providers. We have therapists with various areas of specialties including NICU experiences, birth trauma, adoption, fertility struggles, miscarriage or infant loss and so much more. Other providers include doulas, pelvic floor physical therapists, pediatric physical therapists, pre/postnatal fitness and nutrition support, psychiatric medication management, fertility support and beyond! We host support groups, classes for individuals and families, and trainings for local providers wanting to learn more about how to best support individuals and families during the perinatal period. 

Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
I just want readers to know that if they are a parent or someone who longs to be a parent that there is support for you out there. This season of life can be full of ups and downs, and you don’t have to navigate it alone! 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.flourish-ict.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flourish_ict/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092097672282

Image Credits
The Brand 5