Perinatal Mental Health Therapy

Support for the Emotional Journey of Pregnancy and Parenthood

Pregnancy and becoming a parent are often described as some of the most joyful and meaningful experiences in life. But they can also bring uncertainty, stress, grief, anxiety, and other emotions that are difficult to talk about.

You may be excited about becoming a parent while also feeling overwhelmed. You may be struggling with anxiety during pregnancy, grieving a previous loss, feeling disconnected from your pregnancy, or finding the transition into parenthood much harder than you expected. You may have found the road to parenthood much more difficult than you anticipated. Sometimes, these thoughts and feelings can be confusing, overwhelming, isolating, or even scary. You don't have to experience these emotions alone.

Perinatal mental health therapy provides a safe, supportive space to process the emotional and physical challenges that can occur during pregnancy and the postpartum period.

Perinatal mental health focuses on emotional and psychological well-being during pregnancy and the postpartum period. It recognizes that the transition to parenthood can affect many areas of a person's life—including relationships, identity, physical well-being, self-esteem, and sense of safety.

Mental health concerns during this time can look different for everyone. Some people experience significant anxiety or depression, while others may simply feel overwhelmed, disconnected, or unlike themselves.

Perinatal therapy can provide support for concerns such as:

  • Anxiety during pregnancy or postpartum

  • Depression during pregnancy or postpartum

  • Pregnancy after infertility or pregnancy loss

  • Infertility-related grief and emotional distress

  • Miscarriage or stillbirth

  • Traumatic birth experiences

  • Fear surrounding childbirth

  • Anxiety about the health or safety of the baby

  • Difficulty adjusting to parenthood

  • Feeling overwhelmed by the demands of motherhood or parenthood

  • Changes in identity and sense of self

  • Relationship or communication difficulties

  • Feelings of guilt, shame, or inadequacy

  • Perfectionism and pressure to be a "perfect" parent

  • Parenting-related anxiety

  • Grief related to changes that come with becoming a parent

  • Processing previous trauma that becomes activated during pregnancy or postpartum

What Is Perinatal Mental Health?

You Can Feel Grateful and Struggle at the Same Time

One of the most difficult parts of the perinatal period can be the belief that you should be happy. Having difficult emotions does not mean you are ungrateful or that you will be a bad parent. Therapy can help create space for all of these emotions without judgment.

You may think

"I wanted this baby, so why am I struggling?"

"Everyone else seems to be handling this better than I am."

"I should be enjoying this more."

"What kind of parent feels this anxious?"

Two things can be true at the same time

You can love your baby and feel overwhelmed.

You can feel grateful and still experience grief.

You can be excited and scared.

You can want to become a parent and struggle with the transition.

Pregnancy After Infertility or Loss