Episode 4: Interview with Maternal Mental Health Counselor Correna Wagner

In our first official interview we had the privilege of sitting down with Correna Wagner - wife, mother of two and a maternal mental health counselor. Correna shared an incredibly raw and emotional journey, starting from a horrific childhood, moving through a traumatic birth experience, and ultimately how these life-altering events shaped her career as a licensed mental health counselor.

Her birth story was nothing short of intense. At first, everything seemed perfect—her husband, sister-in-law, and a photographer friend were all present, capturing what she hoped would be a beautiful experience. But things took a sudden, terrifying turn when her newborn son turned blue, and Correna began hemorrhaging simultaneously.

As Correna shared, the situation unfolded like a scene out of a horror movie. Sound faded for her as she began to dissociate, a coping mechanism she had developed from years of trauma. Her attention was entirely on her son, giving instructions to her husband to stay with him, even though she was enduring immense physical trauma. The doctor was literally pushing on her abdomen with all her strength, trying to stop the hemorrhaging and save Correna's life. Despite being in excruciating pain, Correna's only focus was her son being rushed to the NICU, leaving her husband torn between staying with her and being with their newborn.

Correna described how the emotional weight of that experience continued through the NICU journey, with her son staying there longer than she felt necessary. It even reached a point where she threatened to call DCF to get him released. The dissociation she experienced during this period kept her disconnected from many events, to the point that much of her son's early years are a blur unless documented by photographs.

As a mental health counselor, Correna now uses her own traumas to help other women navigate similar journeys. Her story is one of profound strength and resilience, and we are so grateful that she was willing to be vulnerable with us.

If anyone listening resonates with Correna's story or needs support on their own maternal mental health journey, you can connect with her through Guided Growth Counseling. She offers the safe space that she so desperately needed during her experiences, and her dedication to helping others heal is truly inspiring.