Postpartum Depression & Anxiety
Postpartum Mood & Anxiety Disorders (PMADs)
The postpartum period is rife with challenges from physical recovery, hormonal changes, lack of sleep, shifting dynamics in your relationship, and learning how to meet the needs of your baby - the steepest learning curve there is. Portrayals of this period on social media, television, and even the version you heard from the mothers in your life don’t accurately depict how hard it can be. Our society is not well suited to support new moms, and you are not meant to do it alone! If you’re struggling to reconcile how you thought it would be with how it actually is, if you’re feeling overwhelmed, or if you feel like you’ve lost yourself in this transformation, therapeutic support can be life-changing.
Common Signs of PMADs
A lot of the symptoms of postpartum mental health disorders are extremely common - and extremely taboo. It can be difficult to admit that you are experiencing these symptoms, and the isolation and shame can be debilitating. But you are not alone in your experience! Common signs of postpartum mental health disorders include:
overwhelming fear that something awful might happen to your baby
intrusive thoughts or graphic images of something awful happening to you or your baby
intense fear engaging in everyday tasks - walking down the stairs, driving, being in the kitchen - and avoidance of those tasks
persistent sadness, tearfulness, hopelessness
inability to leave your baby with another trusted caregiver
difficulty sleeping, or over sleeping
withdrawing from friends and family
difficulty concentrating
struggling to bond with your baby
irritability, frustration, anger, or bouts of rage
A lot of moms suffer silently, fearing that admitting to these experiences will bring judgment from others. You are not a bad mom because you’re having a hard time. This transition is as difficult as it feels. And there is hope.
How I Can Help
Using an eclectic approach, I help my clients examine their entrance into motherhood through the impacts on their nervous system, their relationships, their view of themselves and the world around them, and their emotional experiences. I am not here to judge or give unsolicited advice. I trust you. I trust that you know your needs better than anyone. I trust that you are the best mother for your baby. And I believe that you are capable of experiencing the fullness of your emotions with a regulated nervous system and an expansive capacity to hold many truths at once. We will learn to challenge negative thoughts, regulate your body, face your fears, explore new facets of your identity, and discover a brand new capacity to do and be in motherhood. Through it all, we will foster self-trust, self-compassion, and deep self-care.
Details of Individual Therapy
Individual therapy services are available online throughout California or in-person in Simi Valley. I do not accept insurance. This is a great way to increase confidentiality. Sessions are 50-minutes and cost $200 per session. I also provide 80-minute sessions on a case-by-case basis. We can discuss this further in our intro call. Click below to schedule a free 15-minute consultation!