Perinatal Mental Health
Having a baby is a psychological revolution that changes our relation to almost everything and everyone.
Esther Perel
The journey to starting a family looks different for everyone, but there is often a predominant picture painted in our society of how it is “supposed” to happen: You get pregnant easily, have an adorable baby bump, a smooth vaginal delivery, the baby latches right away for breastfeeding, and you couldn’t be happier with your new bundle of joy.
I know from personal experience that this is not how it happens for many of us. During my journey, it was shocking to learn just how many people are impacted by these perinatal issues, and I learned this because I chose to share my story and reach out for support. This comes naturally to me as a trained mental health provider, but it’s not so easy for many of us due to stigma and feelings of guilt or shame. My journey, and the journey of so many other mamas, opened my eyes to the great need for counseling support during this phase of life.
Infertility & Reproductive Loss
The decision to start or grow your family isn’t necessarily an easy one. For many, the process comes with heartbreak, disappointment, stress, shame, isolation, and feelings of inadequacy. In addition to the emotional burden, there can be financial stress, strain on your relationship with your partner, and a significant physical toll on the body, from fertility treatments or miscarriage. Your loved ones are likely well-meaning, but may not know what to say or how best to support you. Counseling can be a safe space for you to process what you are going through so you don’t feel alone, and you can learn coping skills to work through the difficult thoughts and feelings that arise. Counseling also allows you to safely grieve your loss, be it the loss of your dreams and expectations of what you thought starting a family would look like, or loss due to miscarriage, stillbirth, or termination for medical reasons. With my clinical experience and my own personal fertility journey that guides my work as a therapist, I can help you uncover the next steps on your journey that are the right fit and pace for you and your family.
Pregnancy
We know that pregnancy can be a really special time with lots of joy and anticipation. It is also a time filled with fluctuating hormones, anxiety, nausea, new aches and pains, not to mention your body is physically changing in so many ways that can leave you both awestruck and in grief over how your body used to look and feel. We feel so many different things during pregnancy that are at odds with each other. This is natural. It can be grounding to have the safe space of counseling to navigate through it. Maybe you are extra anxious because you’ve experienced a miscarriage prior to this pregnancy. Maybe this was your one shot with IVF, and you worry about all the things that can go wrong throughout a pregnancy. Maybe you are feeling overwhelmed because your hormones are impacting your mood state, or you have a toddler at home that you are having trouble keeping up with. Maybe you feel guilty complaining about the challenges of pregnancy because your sister or best friend is struggling with getting pregnant. All these feelings and many more are allowed in the counseling room.
Addressing mental health concerns during pregnancy can lead to better postpartum outcomes.
I can help you practice coping skills, self-compassion, and self-care as you navigate this journey. You can learn to compassionately make room for these emotions while still having a meaningful pregnancy.
Postpartum
Once baby arrives, the journey has just begun and this postpartum period is a huge stage of adjustment. You are learning how to take care of a little person and that can feel like a LOT of pressure, especially when you are sleep deprived, physically recovering from the birth of your baby, experiencing massive hormonal shifts, and being inundated with opinions on parenting from loved ones or messages portrayed in social media. Through counseling I can help you navigate through:
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Postpartum depression
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Postpartum anxiety
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Impacts on your relationship with your partner and other loved ones
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Adjusting to parenthood
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Body image issues and challenges with physical recovery
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Stressors associated with feeding your baby – whether you choose formula, breastmilk, or a hybrid – and reducing any shame or stigma you feel regarding this choice.
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Returning to the workforce post maternity leave
Significant Others
Perinatal mental health concerns don’t only impact the mama/birthing parent. Dads and significant others feel many of the same emotions as their pregnant partners, but there are even fewer supports for them.
One in 10 dads gets postpartum depression and up to 18% develop a clinically significant anxiety disorder.
Counseling can be a helpful resource for you too, whether it be as a couple or your own individual counseling. It's important that you have a space where you don’t have to be the “strong one” for your partner. Infertility, grief and loss, birth trauma, and postpartum anxiety and depression are all too real for the non-birthing parent. You also deserve support so you can continue to be the partner and parent that you want to be.
*** I respect that not all birthing people identify as women or mamas. My practice is a safe and judgment-free space for all individuals impacted by perinatal mental health issues, regardless of your gender identity, sexual orientation, or family structure.