Seleni Spotlight: Shara Marrero Brofman, PsyD

January 2020 - Dr. Brofman is a Psychologist at Seleni and specializes in reproductive and perinatal mental health. She supports people before, during, and after pregnancy, pregnancy loss, and pregnancy termination. Learn more about her background and personal take on the field of mental health. 

Tell us a bit about yourself.

I am a clinical psychologist whose work centers around reproductive and perinatal mental health. I have spent the majority of the past 13 years developing clinical and research expertise in this field, while also working generally with adults, adolescents, and children in inpatient, outpatient, public, and private settings. In my work, I find it important to incorporate warmth, humor, and a realistic perspective in helping people to engage in self-observation and exploration, to feel less overwhelmed and stuck, and to strengthen healthy coping, relationships, and quality of life.

What motivates you to work in this field?

It is meaningful to support people navigating life challenges during what can be a very transformational time in their lives. Sometimes, this means providing support for the short-term; other times, I help people to sort through obstacles, achievements, and celebrations over time. Pregnancy loss, reproductive trauma, and family building via assisted reproductive technology are some of the complex and often deeply stressful psychological experiences that can stay with people long after a pregnancy, birth, or another family building decision is reached. Much of my clinical work focuses on supporting and advocating for these families before, during, and after pregnancy (or family building outside of - or unrelated to - a pregnancy), and though the experience of parenting - or not parenting - when the reproductive story may not have gone as originally imagined. 

I also enjoy remaining involved in a number of professional organizations, in which I am energized by supportive interdisciplinary colleagues and mentors in reproductive mental health. This allows me to continue to learn, and to provide more effective support to individuals, couples, and families. 

What excites you most about being part of the Seleni family?

At Seleni, I am able to wear different "hats" - as a clinician, colleague, writer, and as an instructor in our trainings. This combination of roles has been one of my favorite parts about working at Seleni, along with the opportunity to support people during a formative time of life, and sometimes over time. 

What is your favorite podcast, movie, book, or magazine, related to the field of mental health?

There are so many. In terms of podcasts, The Longest Shortest Time, which recently ended after an incredible almost ten year run - and originally aired on WNYC weekly at 3am! - has been a favorite, specifically related to reproductive mental health. Hillary Frank and her team were on the forefront of cutting edge, important, and not talked about topics in this field, always with a humorous, inclusive, and poignant style. I am grateful to them as educators and advocates for individuals and families across many communities. 

Thinking of books, Flowers for Algernon (Daniel Keyes, 1966) and I Never Promised You a Rose Garden (Hannah Green/Joanne Greenberg, 1964) are two that were formative in capturing my general interest in individual subjectivities and clinical psychology.   

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For more information about Dr. Shara Marrero Brofman , learn more here.