Postpartum and Parenting Therapy In Person and Online

Perinatal refers to the period during pregnancy up through a year postpartum. Perinatal/Postpartum anxiety is a common but often overlooked condition that affects many new mothers and, occasionally, new fathers. It manifests as intense, persistent worries and fears about the baby's health and safety, the ability to care for the child, or irrational fears about everyday situations. Symptoms can include racing thoughts, sleep disturbances in addition to the sleep changes from caregiving, rapid heartbeat, and excessive concerns about doing everything 'right' as a parent. This anxiety can significantly impair a parent's ability to enjoy and bond with their newborn and may coexist with postpartum depression or occur on its own. It's important for new parents experiencing these symptoms to seek support and treatment, which may include therapy, medication, or both, to manage anxiety effectively and improve their overall well-being during this critical time.

Perinatal Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a specific form of OCD that occurs during pregnancy or the postpartum period. It is characterized by intrusive, unwanted thoughts typically revolving around fears of harming the baby or an older sibling, either accidentally or intentionally, and compulsive behaviors aimed at reducing these fears. These compulsions can include excessive checking of the baby or child’s health, repetitive cleaning and sanitizing, or avoiding certain activities believed to pose a risk. Perinatal OCD can be particularly distressing because it targets the parent's fundamental desire to protect and nurture their child and makes you doubt your own mind. This disorder not only disrupts the parent’s ability to function but also interferes with the parent-infant bonding process. Therapy with expertise in perinatal OCD is extremely helpful in being able to increase insight around how OCD is trying to trick you, what you can do in response to its antics andahow you can start to connect with feeling like yourself again.

Perinatal/Postpartum Depression is the experience of having depression during pregnancy and during the postpartum period which can go up to a year. It is important to know that sometimes symptoms do not show up until several months into your postpartum period. The depression goes beyond the "baby blues," which are milder and more transient mood disturbances. Symptoms of postpartum depression can include deep sadness, feelings of hopelessness, severe anxiety, and fatigue disproportional to the natural sleep disturbances caused by the baby, as well as changes in eating patterns. Mothers may struggle with intense feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or inadequacy, questioning their ability to care for their newborn. The condition can also impact a mother's bond with her baby, as she may find it difficult to feel emotionally connected or adequately responsive to the baby's needs. Fathers can experience postpartum depression as well, and this is often overlooked.

Parenting can be immensely rewarding, but it also presents a host of mental health challenges that can impact both new and experienced parents. These challenges often stem from the pressures of balancing the demands of childcare with personal and professional responsibilities, leading to stress, exhaustion, and sometimes burnout. Parents may experience anxiety, often worrying about their child's safety, health, and development, or feeling overwhelmed by the constant need for decision-making and problem-solving. Depression is another significant concern, as the isolation, financial pressures, and intense changes in identity and lifestyle can take a toll. Additionally, parents of children with special needs or behavioral difficulties may face heightened emotional stress, feeling unprepared or inadequate to manage their child's condition effectively. Last but certainly not least, transitions in parenting such as children reaching certain milestones, older teens moving away to college, or enter the empty-nest phase can have significant impact on parents, often leading them to experience disenfranchised grief.

Moreover, relationship strains are common as partners navigate new dynamics and responsibilities, which can lead to feelings of disconnection or conflict. The stigma associated with discussing parental struggles further exacerbates these issues, as parents might hesitate to seek help for fear of judgment or difficulty being able to seek the support due to parenting demands. Thus, it is crucial for mental health resources to be accessible and for a supportive community to be in place to help parents feel validated and equipped to manage these pressures. Addressing these mental health challenges through therapy can significantly improve parents' well-being, helping them to connect with themselves, learn effective strategies for navigating their parenting experiences which ends up not only helping the parent but the relationships.

The emotional and psychological impact of miscarriage and infant loss can be profound, often leading to significant mental health challenges for parents. The grief experienced in these situations is deep and multifaceted, involving a complex mix of sadness, emptiness, guilt, and anger. Many parents also suffer from anxiety and depression, grappling with the trauma of loss and the shattered expectations of a future with their child. This type of bereavement can strain personal relationships, contributing to feelings of isolation or misunderstanding, as friends and family may not always know how to offer appropriate support. The intensity of these emotions can be overwhelming, making it crucial for those affected to seek supportive counseling and therapy. These services can help individuals and couples navigate their grief, understand and express their emotions healthily, and gradually find a way to integrate the loss into their lives while honoring their experience and their child's memory.

Single parenting and co-parenting bring unique mental health challenges due to the complexities and demands they impose. Single parents often face the immense pressure of fulfilling dual roles, managing both emotional and practical aspects of parenting without the daily support of a partner. This can lead to stress, fatigue, and feelings of isolation, especially when balancing parenting with work and personal care. On the other hand, co-parenting involves navigating a relationship with an ex-partner in raising children, which can include conflicts over parenting styles, scheduling, and financial responsibilities. These dynamics can cause anxiety and stress, particularly if the relationship is contentious. Effective communication and clear boundaries are crucial in co-parenting setups to minimize conflict and emotional strain. Both single parenting and co-parenting benefit from strong support networks, whether through friends, family, or professional help, to alleviate some of the psychological burdens and promote a healthy mental and emotional state.

Katie provides a warm and supportive approach to help you navigate the nuances of your identity as a parent and the experiences you’re going through to improve your wellbeing and show up in the way you desire. She specializes in supporting you through parenting transitions, loss and grief from miscarriage, infant loss and pregnancy termination, as well as has expertise in postpartum anxiety, postpartum depression and postpartum OCD.

Sarah provides a gentle and nurturing therapeutic environment to help parents feel cared for while they explore and identify the many parts of them showing up in this life chapter. Using strengths and values, Sarah will support you in your experience around parenting and postpartum mental health.