Parenting and Perinatal Mental Health
Therapy for parents, soon-to-be parents, child and infant loss, mom guilt, birth trauma, body image issues, and changing relationship dynamics.
Struggling to Find Joy in Moments that Should be Filled with Happiness…
You’ve been hurting since your child was born. The birth was traumatic, but you’ve had to put your feelings on hold to take care of your baby. All of this happened after years of fertility struggles. You thought that you’d finally feel better once your baby was born, but instead, you’ve being hit with a rush of emotions that you can’t process. You knew it was going to be hard, but you didn’t expect it to be this hard. The emotional ups and downs, the exhaustion, and the constant pressure to be the perfect parent are taking a toll on you. You feel isolated, despite being surrounded by others. These feelings are affecting your relationships and your ability to bond with your baby. You don’t feel like yourself, and you’ve decided it’s time to make a change.
Understanding Perinatal Mental Health
Perinatal mental health refers to the emotional well-being of individuals during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Conditions such as postpartum depression, anxiety, and even perinatal mood disorders can arise during this critical time, impacting your ability to bond with your baby and enjoy this new chapter of life.
Many parents feel pressure to appear “perfect” and may struggle silently, feeling isolated or misunderstood. If you find yourself overwhelmed by feelings of sadness, anxiety, or a sense of loss of control, know that you are not alone.
Why Seeking SUpport Matters
It's important to understand that perinatal mental health challenges are not a reflection of your abilities as a parent. These feelings are real, and they deserve attention. We believe that early intervention is key to managing perinatal mental health effectively. By seeking support, you can gain valuable tools to help you cope, improve your emotional well-being, and enhance your relationship with your baby.
You Want To…
Understand the emotional shifts and challenges of new parenthood, so you can better navigate feelings of anxiety, sadness, or overwhelm.
Prioritize your needs with those of your partner and children.
Feel supported and valued in your role as a parent.
Feel less isolated and disconnected from your partner, and communicate in ways that enhance your bond with each other and allow for open discussions about your feelings and concerns.
Feel confident in your role as a parent.
Have energy to invest into your friendships and relationships, and the ability to create new relationships.
Love and appreciate your body again.
You want to be able to balance all of your responsibilities with fun activities and things that bring you joy.
Why Seeking SUpport Matters
It's important to understand that perinatal mental health challenges are not a reflection of your abilities as a parent. These feelings are real, and they deserve attention. We believe that early intervention is key to managing perinatal mental health effectively. By seeking support, you can gain valuable tools to help you cope, improve your emotional well-being, and enhance your relationship with your baby.
In our sessions, you’ll learn to put yourself first again. Together, we can work to enhance your emotional wellbeing, strengthen your relationships, and help you find joy in your parenting journey. Reach out today to schedule your first appointment! Be sure to request Paula, as she’s our parenting and perinatal specialist.
FAQ
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Asking for help doesn’t mean that we’re not qualified for the job. There’s a level of normalcy that you’re going through with the rush of postpartum hormones and emotions. In some ways, not feeling like yourself, in thought or behavior, is expected. When we do something for the first time, it doesn’t always feel like we’re doing it right. Getting help is a step to becoming the best version of ourselves in that moment.
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All parents are welcome and can benefit from perinatal therapy.
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It’s understandable that you may not always be able to be away from your child. Bringing your baby to session is always welcome, provided that you feel able to listen and participate as appropriate.
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This depends on the severity of your symptoms. The decision to take medication will always be left up to you, regardless of what we might suggest.
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Clients can begin to feel relief within the first few sessions. This can lead to feelings of hope. The full course of therapy (on average) takes about six months.
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This time period includes the year leading up to birth, as well as the year after birth. However, some postpartum can persist longer than one year postpartum. No matter where you’re at in your journey as a parent, therapy focused on the perinatal period can be beneficial.
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Paula has been trained in perinatal mental health and has received a certification for this therapy. Some of her work and training in couples counseling also overlaps with becoming a new parent and navigating the relationship struggles.
