Perinatal Counseling
The transition to motherhood comes with many joys and lots of challenges
Reaching out for help is not easy.
Maybe you are here because of a concerned loved one or friend.
Maybe your OB, pediatrician, or midwife recommended treatment for your postpartum depression (PPD) or your postpartum anxiety (PPA)
Maybe you have never experienced anxiety or depression and wondering why you feel this way
Maybe you want to prevent postpartum anxiety or depression
Maybe how you feel is impacting your marriage
You are here wondering if other moms feels the same way you do.
Whether that's not feeling yourself since becoming pregnant or having your baby
having scary thoughts or images
feeling like a bad mom, hello mom guilt, yes it's a thing!
Your pregnancy, birth, or postpartum aren't or didn't go as expected
Questioning your career and how to return or not return to work
Constantly worrying about baby
Feeling like you lost your old life and unsure if you will ever get it back.
You are not alone in this 1 in 7 moms struggle with postpartum depression or postpartum anxiety
Postpartum depression and anxiety can affect any woman and you can get better with treatment. I look forward to seeing you and your baby!
I can help you find practical tools and strategies to overcome your sadness, rage, anxiety, or intrusive thoughts.
Providing prenatal and postpartum therapy to moms and couples through evidenced based treatments that have been researched as effective in supporting moms in postpartum.
I can help you find practical tools and strategies to overcome your sadness, rage, anxiety, or intrusive thoughts.
Picture feeling connected to your baby and your partner, feeling more at ease, and be fully present with your family.
Let me help you figure out how to get through your day without dreading it. Feeling a sense of safety and joy.
You don’t have to suffer alone, having a healthy mind and good self care will allow you to be present with your family and enjoy life again.
Every woman's journey through motherhood is unique and special.
You can feel happy and healthy.
I offer online counseling sessions so you don't have to worry about leaving your home for therapy or if you’re a working mama we can meet on your lunch!
Let’s Connect!
Do I have Baby Blues?
Lots of women have what is called “baby blues” 2-3 weeks post birth of baby; up to 80% of women. And usually go away on their own.
Is this postpartum depression?
1 in 7 women have a diagnosable mood or anxiety disorder postpartum. If you have some of the following symptoms 4 weeks-12 months post baby. You may be experiencing postpartum depression or anxiety.
Crying for no reason or more than usual
Feeling sad, hopeless, or overwhelmed more days than not
Worrying or feeling anxious
Constantly worrying something bad may happen to your baby.
Irritability or moodiness
Sleeping too much or not being able to rest or sleep when baby sleeps
Having trouble concentrating
Lost interest in activities you used to find enjoyable
Change in appetite eating too much or not enough
Avoiding family or friends, feeling withdrawn
Having trouble bonding with your baby or not feeling emotional attachment to your baby
Constantly doubting your ability to care for baby
Having scary thoughts
Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby
Some women experience depression and anxiety during pregnancy. You are not alone. Get the help and support you need.
Postpartum depression can affect any woman.
Risk Factors Include
Previous symptoms of depression in a previous pregnancy
Experience with depression or bipolar disorder
Family history of mental illness or depression
A stressful life event during pregnancy or shortly after birth: loss of loved one, major complications during delivery, illness, domestic violence
Mixed feelings about pregnancy or parenthood
Lack of supportive relationships with partner, family, or friends
Alcohol or drug use
Additional postpartum mood and anxiety disorders
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Constant worry
Feeling that something bad is going to happen
Racing thoughts
Disturbances of sleep and appetite
Inability to sit still
Feeling “on edge”
Irritability
Physical symptoms like dizziness, hot flashes, and nausea
Panic/heart palpitations
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Obsessions, also called intrusive thoughts, which are persistent, repetitive thoughts or mental images related to the baby. These thoughts are very upsetting and not something the woman has ever experienced before.
Compulsions, where the mom may do certain things over and over again to reduce her fears and obsessions. This may include things like needing to clean constantly, check things many times, count or reorder things.
A sense of horror about the obsessions
Fear of being left alone with the infant
Hypervigilance in protecting the infant
Moms with postpartum OCD know that their thoughts are bizarre and are very unlikely to ever act on them.
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Intrusive re-experiencing of a past traumatic event (which in this case may have been the childbirth itself)
Flashbacks or nightmares
Avoidance of stimuli associated with the event, including thoughts, feelings, people, places and details of the event
Persistent increased arousal (irritability, difficulty sleeping, hypervigilance, exaggerated startle response)
Anxiety and panic attacks
Feeling a sense of unreality and detachment
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A medical emergency
Experiencing of hallucinations or delusions
Mood changes, such as mania (an increase in activity and mood) and hypomania, or depression (a decrease in mood).
Depersonalization (some people describe this as an out-of-body experience).
Disorganized thinking or behavior.
Insomnia.
Irritability or agitation.
Thoughts of self-harm or harming others (especially their newborn).
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Bipolar 1 Disorder
Periods of severely depressed mood and irritability
Mood much better than normal
Rapid speech
Little need for sleep
Racing thoughts, trouble concentrating
Continuous high energy
Overconfidence
Delusions (often grandiose, but including paranoid)
Impulsiveness, poor judgment, distractability
Grandiose thoughts, inflated sense of self-importance
In the most severe cases, delusions and hallucinations
Bipolar 2 Disorder
Periods of severe depression
Periods when mood much better than normal
Rapid speech
Little need for sleep
Racing thoughts, trouble concentrating
Anxiety
Irritability
Continuous high energy
Overconfidence
This list is for informational purposes and not to be used as a formal diagnosis. It is best to consult with your doctor or therapist to learn more.
Reach out today if you would like to chat further if you think you may be experiencing anxiety or depression in pregnancy or postpartum.
happy. healthy. you.
If you or someone you know is in crisis or thinking about suicide:
Call 911
24 hour National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255)