Counseling for Pregnancy and Postpartum Depression and Anxiety
Sometimes you have to put the oxygen mask on yourself first
Growing and birthing a baby can be one of the most incredible but also vulnerable times in your life.
Everything is changing
Pregnancy takes so much strength. It can bring up fears and insecurities. Many birthing people question themselves and find themselves asking “Can I really do this?” Some of the biggest challenges in pregnancy include:
Navigating physical and hormonal changes, and losing a sense of body familiarity
Anxiety around transitioning into a parent role
Processing feelings around your own family of origin
Moving forward from previous pregnancy losses or birth trauma
“No one told me how hard this really was”
There are a lot of myths and assumptions around parenthood. But what if you don’t bond with your baby right away? What if you feel guilty that you can’t breastfeed? What if you can’t stop thinking something horrible will happen, and you aren’t able to enjoy moments with your baby? What if you know you need help but your “village” is giving you unhelpful and overwhelming advice? You are not alone!
How can therapy help?
Manage Symptoms
Approximately 20% of people report having feelings of anxiety and depression during and after pregnancy. Therapy can help you make real progress to feeling like yourself again
Boundaries
It can be so challenging to tell people you don’t want to be touched, you don’t want their advice, or you don’t want them showing up unannounced to welcome your bundle of joy. Therapy can help you give yourself permission to ask for what you need
Postpartum Planning
Being proactive in how you will take care of YOURSELF, not just your baby, is essential to having a smooth transition to parenthood. Therapy can help you explore your biggest concerns and make a plan
Identity Transitions
Becoming a parent does not erase all of your other identities. Therapy can help you integrate all the important aspects of your life so you don’t lose yourself in this new role
