1. How is Vital Start Health different from other behavioral health therapy? 

Just as you care for your body throughout pregnancy, your mind needs thoughtful, consistent care too. Up to 1 in 5 women experience significant emotional challenges like anxiety, depression, and distress during pregnancy*. According to the CDC, the #1 complication in pregnancy is mood and anxiety disorders. And stress during pregnancy isn’t just difficult—it’s also a predictor of postpartum depression*.

The good news? Prevention works. Research shows that proactive emotional support and skills-based interventions during pregnancy can significantly reduce the risk and severity of postpartum mental health conditions*.

Pregnancy is also a window into future health. Conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease often first emerge or intensify during this time. Just as OBs screen for preeclampsia or gestational diabetes, emotional wellbeing deserves the same proactive care.

That’s where Vital Start is different.

Vital Start Health is built specifically for this season of life, combining:

• Expert perinatal mental health care from licensed clinicians and maternal wellness coaches
• Cutting-edge VR tools you use at home, on your time, when you need them—at no additional cost

• Insurance-backed access to make care affordable and accessible early
• Culturally responsive, inclusive care that reflects and respects your experience

This isn’t one-size-fits-all therapy. It’s mental health support designed for pregnancy, tailored to you.

Because thriving families start with mentally healthy parents.

*Explore our Resources page for science-backed insights on the power of immersive VR therapy during pregnancy—plus other helpful tools to support your emotional wellbeing.

2. Why is VR therapy effective? 

Virtual reality isn’t just a cool gadget—it’s a breakthrough in how we care for your mental health.

With VR therapy at Vital Start, you’re not just told to “relax” or “breathe”—you’re transported into calming, immersive environments that trigger your body’s natural relaxation response. In just a few minutes, your heart rate slows, your breathing deepens, and your mind begins to settle.

You might find yourself watching waves roll in on a quiet beach, sitting beneath a canopy of trees with sunlight filtering through, or floating above the clouds—all while learning proven techniques like guided breathing and cognitive reframing.

This kind of real-time relief can help regulate your nervous system, reduce anxiety, and reinforce the skills you’re learning in therapy. And because you can use it anytime, anywhere, it becomes your go-to tool for emotional reset—on your schedule, in your space, at no extra cost.

It’s not just support. It’s support that meets you exactly where you are—and helps you feel better, faster.

3. What services does Vital Start Health provide?

Vital Start Health delivers modern, personalized mental health care for pregnant and postpartum individuals—and their partners. We combine expert-led therapy with cutting-edge virtual reality, all from the comfort of your home.

We support the entire perinatal journey—from the moment you’re thinking about having a child, through pregnancy, and into postpartum and early parenting. Our care extends to all family structures, including single-parent families, LGBTQ+ parents, surrogates, adoptive parents, and partners of all genders.

We also offer specialized support for experiences like fertility planning, NICU stays, perinatal loss, and grief, with care designed to meet you where you are—emotionally and culturally.

Here’s how it works:

• Choose your perinatal mental health specialist from our team or let us match you based on your needs and preferences.
• Join virtual 1:1 or group sessions tailored to your stage of the journey.
• Receive a VR headset shipped to your door—no extra cost, no hassle.
• Use immersive, science-backed tools anytime you need calm, clarity, or emotional reset.
• Keep the headset after completing six sessions (group or individual).

Whether you’re navigating anxiety, birth recovery, NICU stress, or family building—we’re here with support that fits your life. Insurance often covers services, and our team can help verify your benefits.

This isn’t generic talk therapy.
It’s mental health care built for real-life parenting journeys—powered by innovation, grounded in compassion, and designed around you.

4. How do I get started with services?

Click “Get Started” on our website to schedule a complimentary call with one a Care Specialist or call us at 814-CALL-VSH (814-225-5874).

5. Can partners or co-parents participate in care?

Yes—and the science shows they benefit from it.

We fully support and encourage partner participation, but it is not required to use our services—and you do not need to have a partner to receive care. Our programs are designed to support all family structures, including single parents, solo parents by choice, and anyone navigating the perinatal journey on their own.

That said, for those with partners or co-parents, we know that perinatal mental health affects the entire family. Research shows that when partners receive emotional support, it improves outcomes for everyone—including the baby.

Partners and co-parents can:

• Join shared sessions to strengthen communication and emotional connection
• Access individual support tailored to their own experiences and needs
• Use VR tools that help with stress relief, mindfulness, and emotional regulation

Strong partners and supported parents create stronger families. Supporting the mental health of everyone in the parenting journey—whether you’re in a partnership or going it solo—leads to better outcomes for both parents and children.
Our care model is designed with everyone in mind.

6. What backgrounds or specialties does your care team bring?

Our team includes Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs) and Perinatal Health Specialists with diverse professional backgrounds and lived experience supporting individuals and families through every stage of the parenting journey.

The expertise of our team spans:

• Maternal mental health counseling
• Labor and delivery nursing
• Doulas with expertise in birth and postpartum support
• Crisis response
• Partner and co-parent support
• Grief and perinatal loss care
• Spiritual care (including chaplaincy)
• Psychology research and teaching (PhDs, clinical faculty)

This depth and range of experience allows us to provide inclusive, culturally responsive, and compassionate care—designed specifically for the emotional complexity of pregnancy, postpartum, and parenting.

7. Do you offer services in languages other than English?

At this time, our services and materials are available in English only. While some of our providers may speak other languages, all sessions, tools, and VR content are currently delivered in English.

We’re committed to expanding language access in the future, and we’re actively exploring multilingual options to better serve diverse families.

8. Do you support clients with disabilities or different accessibility needs?

Yes—and we’re committed to doing better.

Vital Start Health believes mental health care should be accessible to everyone. We recognize that disabilities—including those related to hearing, vision, mobility, cognitive processing, and neurodiversity—can affect how someone experiences therapy and uses technology like virtual reality.

At this time, certain features of our program—such as our VR content and telehealth tools—may not fully meet the needs of all clients. For example, we are not yet equipped to support individuals who are Deaf or hard of hearing, and our VR experiences currently lack alternative formats like captions or screen reader compatibility.

We’re actively working to improve accessibility in our platform and services and welcome your input. If you have specific accessibility needs, please contact us. We’ll do our best to accommodate you now and are committed to creating a more inclusive experience in the future.

9. When are therapy sessions available?
We offer flexible scheduling to meet your needs! Sessions are available during daytime hours, evenings, and weekends—including options for early mornings or after work. We do our best to match you with a provider whose availability fits your schedule.

10. How can I provide feedback or get in touch?

Your voice matters. After working with us, you may receive a feedback form. You can also reach out directly to our team at any time with questions, concerns, or suggestions at contact@vitalstarthealth.com, call us at 814-CALL-VSH (814-225-5874), or visit our website at https://www.vitalstarthealth.com.

11. Enrollment & Onboarding

Sign up on www.vitalstarthealth.com/register or via the Pregnancy+ app. Upon sign up, a Care Specialist will schedule a time to speak with you about our services and to schedule you for your first session. You can also call our Care Specialist team at 814-CALL-VSH (814-225-5874). 

12. VR Headset Delivery & Setup

Participants receive a custom Meta Quest 3S headset kit, which includes controllers, a charger, and a storage case. The setup involves connecting to Wi-Fi and adjusting the headset for comfort. A dedicated session with a perinatal health specialist ensures users are comfortable with the VR technology.

13. Personalized Pregnancy Well-Being Program
Vital Start offers a unique pregnancy-focused mental health program grounded in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Guided by a licensed mental health professional, participants receive:

• Psychoeducation to understand mood changes, anxiety, and the mind-body connection during pregnancy.
• CBT-based therapy tailored to address emotional regulation, stress, and perinatal mood disorders.
• Goal setting and progress tracking to build emotional resilience and prepare mentally for childbirth and parenting.
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14. Immersive VR Experiences
Therapeutic VR sessions feature calming environments, mindfulness exercises, and cognitive restructuring activities. These immersive experiences complement therapy sessions and help users practice stress reduction in a realistic, engaging way.

15. Ongoing Coaching & Partner Support
In addition to one-on-one therapy, users have access to coaching, group sessions, and partner-inclusive education. The care team includes perinatal mental health specialists, doulas, culturally competent counselors, and licensed clinical social workers. 

16. Insurance & Accessibility

Vital Start Health works with many commercial insurance providers, but we do not accept all plans. Our care team will verify your insurance eligibility before starting services and help you understand what’s covered.

Our program is also accessible through out-of-network benefits and self-pay options. Equipment, coaching, and therapy are all included. Flexible payment plans are available to help make care equitable and affordable.

17. Do you take insurance?

Yes, we work with a wide range of commercial insurance providers—but we do not accept all plans. Every client’s insurance is individually verified by our team before services begin to confirm eligibility and coverage.

In some cases, billing and insurance processing is handled through our partner Headway, depending on your plan and provider availability. If that applies to you, our team will walk you through the process and help with any questions.

If your plan is out-of-network or not accepted, we offer self-pay rates and flexible payment plans to keep care accessible.

Have questions? Call us anytime at 814.225.5874 (814-CALL-VSH) and we’ll help you understand your options.

18. How does the virtual reality (VR) component work?

At Vital Start Health, virtual reality (VR) is a core part of our care model—and a game-changer in how emotional support is delivered.

Our VR experiences immerse you in calming, therapeutic environments that help regulate emotions in real time. You might find yourself sitting by the ocean, walking through a forest, or learning breathing techniques in a peaceful space. These environments are paired with evidence-based tools that support mindfulness, stress relief, and emotional processing.

Here’s why it matters:
Research shows that immersive VR can help reduce anxiety, ease tension, and activate the body’s natural relaxation response. Unlike traditional therapy alone, VR allows you to feel the effects of emotional regulation—making the skills you learn in sessions more tangible and easier to practice on your own.

VR is integrated into your treatment plan and can be used as often as you need—on your schedule, at no extra cost. From setup to ongoing support, our team is here to guide you every step of the way.

It’s therapy that meets you where you are—accessible, science-backed, and designed to help you feel better, faster.

19. When can I use the VR headset?

Clients typically receive their VR headset after their third or fourth session, once the therapeutic foundation has been established with their provider. This timing ensures the headset is integrated meaningfully into your care plan—not just as a tool, but as a complement to the emotional work you’re already doing.

Once you receive it, you can use your VR headset as often as you’d like. Whether it’s for a quick calming break or part of a daily wellness routine, the experience is always available on your schedule.

To get the full benefit of both the coaching sessions and the VR tools, clients are expected to complete at least six sessions. This consistency supports emotional progress and maximizes the impact of the immersive therapy experience.

20. What’s included with my VR headset?

Each VR kit includes:

• 1 custom Meta Quest 3S headset
• 2 controllers (with AA batteries)
• 1 USB-C charger and wall plug
• 1 Vital Start Health storage case
• 1 return shipping label and original shipping box

To receive the headset, clients are required to provide a $200 deposit. This deposit will be fully refunded after the headset, controllers, and charger are returned undamaged to Vital Start at the end of the program. Please keep the original box and return label to make the return process easy. 

21. How do I set up my VR headset?

It’s quick and simple:

1. Charge the headset and put it on.
2. Follow the prompts to connect to Wi-Fi.
3. If not prompted: open Quick Settings, select the Wi-Fi symbol, choose your network, and enter your password.
4. Once connected, you’re ready to begin!

Staying connected to Wi-Fi is essential for a personalized VR experience. For additional setup support, access the VR Expert Knowledge Base.

Each controller requires 1 AA battery and may arrive with batteries pre-installed. However, replacement batteries are not included and typically needs to be changed every 2-4 weeks depending on usage. 

22. What if the screen looks blurry?

Adjust the lenses inside the headset until the view is clear. A good fit makes a big difference in clarity, comfort, and reduces the risk of nausea. Click here for instructions for lens adjustment.  

To clean the lenses, you can use a dry microfiber cloth or eyeglass lens ∫. Avoid using paper towels, rough materials, or excessive moisture, as these can scratch or damage the lenses.

23. Is VR onboarding support available?

Yes! Once you are enrolled in our program, your perinatal health specialist will dedicate at least one complete session to VR training after you’ve received your headset shipment. 

The most common issue is when the controllers stop working. Try replacing the AA batteries. If that doesn’t work or if you need other assistance, contact us at contact@vitalstarthealth.com or 814-225-5874 (Mon–Fri, 8 AM–5 PM EST). You can also contact our partner, VR Expert at 551.755.3580 or support@vr-expert.com (Mon–Fri, 8 AM–5 PM EST). 

24. How do I return my headset?

The VR headset is the property of Vital Start Health and must be returned once services have ended. We’ve made the return process simple:

1. Pack the headset, controllers, and charger in the case and place it back in the original box.
2. Cover the original shipping label with the included return label.
3. Drop it off at any UPS location (find one at UPS.com).

Lost your label or missing items? Let us know and we’ll help.

15. Are your services confidential?

Absolutely. All client data is handled in compliance with HIPAA and other privacy regulations. Your privacy and trust are top priorities, and we take every step to safeguard your information.

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger or experiencing a mental health emergency, please seek help right away.

• Call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room for immediate support.
• Contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988, available 24/7 for free and confidential support.
• You can also reach the Crisis Text Line by texting HELLO to 741741.

You are not alone—help is always available.