Perinatal Mental Health and Parenthood
In today’s world, contemplating, expectant, and new parents are faced with enormous amounts of pressure, expectations, information, and decisions. Parenthood doesn’t come with a manual and it’s mostly trial by fire…but it doesn’t have to be so difficult! Parenting demands resilience and courage. It's a transformative journey that challenges your boundaries, self-assurance, beliefs, and stamina. Whether you're considering expanding your family, on a fertility journey, navigating pregnancy, adjusting to the early postpartum period, or a seasoned parent, I am here to support you on every step of your parenting journey.
Chances are your parenting journey has included an incredible amount of change, doubting yourself, exhaustion, frustration, and uncertainty. Struggling as you navigate the chaos of parenthood can feel isolating, overwhelming, and lead you to believe that life will always be this hard. First of all, you are not alone. Secondly, I can help.
Perinatal mental health disorders are the most common complication of childbirth. They include antenatal (during pregnancy) and postpartum anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, manic depression, and psychosis and affect birthing people, their partners, and adoptive parents. Signs and symptoms vary, but if you find yourself struggling for more than two weeks after your baby arrives, help is available! You do not need to struggle alone.
In the realm of perinatal and parenting experiences, counseling offers a secure haven to delve into your thoughts, emotions, and experiences. Embrace the courage and strength it takes to seek help, as our work together empowers you to explore this new version of life and your unique journey. I believe that we deserve to have a fulfilling, supportive, intentional parenting experience in today's achievement-driven, independence-obsessed, perfectionist world. Through our work together, I will help you learn how to adjust expectations, prioritize and balance needs, maintain your sense of self, and stay connected with your partner, family, and friends.
Common reasons parents come to therapy
Antenatal depression or anxiety (during pregnancy)
Worries about becoming a parent
Strong emotions (e.g., rage, frustration, sadness)
Difficulties enjoying time with family
Overwhelmed with physical and mental load of parenting
Grieving pre-baby life
Struggling with how much life has changed
Traumatic birth*
Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (e.g., depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, etc.)
Relationship challenges with family, friends, and/or partner
Parenting isn’t what you expected
Sleep deprivation and exhaustion
Feeling alone or unsupported
Worried, nervous, or unable to unwind
Struggling to bond with baby
Spending more time at work to avoid being at home
NICU stay and navigating the unexpected
Feeling unsure of yourself in your new role as a parent
*Trauma is defined by the person experiencing the event, which sometimes means a medically complicated delivery and other times means not understanding what was happening, or even being unable to follow your birth plan/vision. Both birthing and non-birthing parents can experience birth as traumatic.