Postpartum Therapy

Are You Struggling To Feel Like Yourself After Having A Baby?

• Have you been overwhelmed by sadness, hopelessness, or crying spells that won’t let up?
• Is bonding with your baby harder than you expected?
• Do you feel like you’re losing your identity as an individual since becoming a parent?

Maybe you assumed that pregnancy and parenthood would feel joyous. Instead, you’re grappling with fear and doubt, as well as a sense of loss you didn’t expect. Perhaps you’re a first-time mother, and despite being taught that parenting should come naturally, your new responsibilities seem more daunting than anyone could have prepared you for.

Postpartum Depression Goes Beyond “The Baby Blues”

The baby blues are characterized by a hormonal shift after giving birth that can affect your mood for a week or two. But postpartum depression is a thick, persistent sadness that doesn’t lift, and it can make you doubt your ability to be a good parent. Often, it’s hard to admit these feelings out loud because you worry it will make you seem ungrateful or cause people to question whether you truly love your child.

Lots of parents deal with postpartum depression in silence, but you don’t have to navigate this all by yourself. Postpartum and perinatal therapy offers a judgment-free space to process these emotions honestly, understand what’s happening in your mind and body, and feel grounded in your own life.

Have a question or ready to schedule a session?  Reach Out!

Postpartum Depression Is More Common Than You Think

Postpartum depression is one of the most common challenges that new parents face. Despite this, our culture discourages parents from opening up about it, and the silence surrounding postpartum depression can cause parents to question whether they’re the only ones struggling. 

Pregnancy and the months following childbirth bring enormous hormonal shifts, sleep deprivation, and monumental identity changes. It’s only natural for these changes to affect your mood and wellbeing, and for many parents, the impact goes well beyond the temporary baby blues.

While some parents need to juggle work and childcare responsibilities, others feel isolated as full-time stay-at-home parents. Furthermore, lots of parents today lack a true village. Without much help from their families and communities, parents can feel lonely and crave real, ongoing support. These factors also contribute to postpartum depression.

Any Parent Can Suffer From Postpartum Depression

Although people who struggle with mood disorders before having children can be more vulnerable to postpartum depression, this condition can affect anyone during this demanding chapter of life. It isn’t a reflection of whether or not you were prepared to become a parent or how much you love your child. 

A compassionate postpartum therapist can guide you through this chapter. In therapy, you can express your feelings authentically, find real solutions for overcoming postpartum depression and anxiety, and learn how to make more space for self-care while handling your responsibilities as a parent.

Postpartum Therapy Can Help You Feel Like “You” Again

When you’re dealing with postpartum depression, it’s not easy to reach out for help. Many new parents worry that therapy won’t make a real difference, or that their problems aren’t “serious” enough to warrant professional support. But you deserve a dedicated space to understand what you’re experiencing.

At Affinity Psychological Services, we cultivate a safe, warm environment where parents can explore the emotional and physical changes of pregnancy and new parenthood. Your therapist will equip you with healthy coping strategies so that you can feel centered again.

What To Expect In Postpartum Therapy Sessions

Getting started is simple. You can book your first session directly through our group practice’s online scheduling tool or contact our admin team if you need some help finding availability. Our staff maintains a comprehensive care list with details about each therapist’s treatment specialties, office locations, and telehealth and in-person options so that we can pair you with someone who is best prepared to suit your unique needs.

From your first session, you and your therapist will collaborate on a treatment plan that is personalized to fit your circumstances and priorities, as well as your capacity as a parent. Your therapist will walk you through their reasoning behind every recommendation so that you’re never in the dark.

Your sessions will be focused on your needs from week to week. Sometimes, you might work on concrete tools for handling anxious thoughts. At other times, you might dig into bigger questions around identity and what becoming a parent means for you. 

There’s no fixed timeline. Some parents feel better after just a few sessions. Others commit to therapy for a few months or longer. We can always be flexible around what works for you.

Treatment Approaches To Postpartum Therapy

Because every parent’s situation looks a little different, our therapists don’t just use a single fixed method for everyone. Instead, your couns

elor will thoughtfully draw on a wide range of modalities based on your personal needs and goals. 

Depending on your symptoms and priorities for postpartum therapy, your counselor might incorporate psychodynamic work, somatic therapy, EMDR, ACT, CBT, DBT, Brainspotting techniques, the Gottman method, and feminist therapy, among other approaches.

Above all, we guide you through the healing process with an emphasis on your strengths. The challenges you’re facing right now do not define you as a parent. Postpartum depression can diminish your confidence and self-esteem, but we’re here to build you back up and remind you of just how much you’re capable of. 

Affinity Psychological Services is a fast-growing practice designed to serve people from all backgrounds. We’re dedicated to helping you move through pregnancy and the postpartum period with robust, lasting support for as long as you need it. Through counseling for postpartum depression and anxiety, you can find your footing for the road ahead.

But You May Still Have Questions About Postpartum Therapy…

I’m not sure I’m ready to open up to a stranger about these feelings.

It’s natural to feel reluctant about talking to a therapist, especially during a season in life when you’re already stretched thin. Your therapist will meet you exactly where you are. We focus on building trust gradually and moving at a pace that works for you. You’ll never be shamed or judged for what you bring up in therapy.

I’m worried about the costs of postpartum or perinatal counseling.

As a pro-insurance practice, we aim to keep our services accessible and affordable. We work with clients enrolled in all kinds of local insurance plans. Think of therapy as an investment in your own wellbeing, as well as your family’s future. You deserve to feel like yourself again.

What if talking about postpartum depression or anxiety just makes me feel worse?

It’s normal to worry that naming these complex emotions out loud will only make the weight feel heavier. But in practice, putting words to what you’re feeling can be freeing. Many new parents find that sharing these feelings with someone else is a relief, and your therapist can provide you with the steady support you really need.

Discover A Brighter Future With Postpartum Therapy

If you’re interested in starting postpartum therapy, we’re here for you whenever you’re ready. We encourage you to get in touch with us via our website with any questions you may have or use the scheduling page on our website to book your first appointment.