Many New Moms Struggle With Complicated Emotions

Chances are you expected to feel excited and joyful after your baby arrived, but the reality of motherhood doesn’t always align with what you’d hoped for. You may feel physically and mentally exhausted, anxious, or isolated. Sometimes, you might just feel numb.

You might worry that struggling with these confusing emotions means that you won’t measure up as a parent. You care deeply about your new baby, yet you may feel guilty if you haven’t had the bonding experience that you imagined. Perhaps you wish you could open up about your feelings to your partner or someone else in your life, but shame might hold you back from asking for help.

In the midst of these disruptive changes, you might wish that you could simply feel like yourself again. You can regain your sense of identity in motherhood with the help of a postpartum depression therapist who specializes in treating postpartum depression. Through therapy, you can find the support and guidance you need to navigate the monumental shift of postpartum life.

What To Expect In Sessions

During our first session, we’ll gather details about your experiences during pregnancy and motherhood so far. We will provide you with a safe, comfortable space where you can open up about the challenges you’ve faced. 

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by parenthood, we will apply problem-solving techniques and break down your issues into smaller, more manageable pieces. You’ll learn mind-body techniques such as breathwork and mindfulness, and you’ll also cultivate a sense of loving-kindness and compassion toward yourself.

In ongoing sessions, you will be gently guided to redefine who you are now that you have a baby and other aspects of your life—like career, sports, or hobbies—have been sidelined. Furthermore, your therapist will offer compassionate guidance to help you better communicate with your partner and your wider support system so that you can get the help you need in day-to-day life. Through therapy, you can begin to envision a brighter future for yourself and your family.

The Modalities We Use

In our practice, we focus heavily on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help you break down intrusive thoughts and neutralize them so that they no longer cause you distress. For example, if you ever struggle to forgive yourself for minor mistakes, or if your symptoms of depression are accompanied by disturbing thoughts, CBT can help you let go of these patterns and cultivate a calmer mindset.

Your counselor can also draw on principles from Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), enabling you to create a new and empowering narrative for yourself. Through EFT, your therapist can help you integrate your baby into your worldview and gain confidence in your abilities as a parent. 

Postpartum counseling offers the perspective every new mother needs. As you deepen your self-acceptance, you’ll learn to let go of perfectionism and ask for help when you need it. With support, the stress of parenthood can be more manageable and you can have a joyful experience with your baby.

Symptoms of Postpartum Depression and/or Anxiety

Consistently depressed mood for 2 weeks or more

• Overwhelming feelings of helplessness or hopelessness

• Excessive crying

• Difficulty bonding with your baby

• Loss of appetite

• Difficulty with sleep, sleeping too much or too little

• Intense irritability

• Decreased pleasure and motivation in doing things

• Persistent fatigue and lack of energy

• Thoughts about harming yourself or the baby

• Recurrent thoughts about death or suicide

• Signs and symptoms of Postpartum Anxiety

• Persistent dread or feeling of danger

• Racing and difficult to control thoughts

• Sense of impending doom

• Excessive worry about the baby’s health or safety

• Physical symptoms including chest tightness, stomach upset, jitters, or feeling agitated

• Difficulty falling or staying asleep despite being sleep deprived

• Frequent checking behaviors or reassurance seeking

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