Parental Mental Health

Therapy in the Perinatal Period

The perinatal period (pregnancy through the first year postpartum) is incredibly transformative. It brings profound emotional shifts and, for many, real mental health challenges. Depression, anxiety, trauma responses, and intrusive thoughts can emerge—even in the context of deep love for your baby. Many also experience perinatal anxiety, panic disorder, OCD, or trauma responses following childbirth or NICU experiences. Unfortunately, stigma and unrealistic expectations often prevent parents from reaching out.

Here are just a few reasons someone might struggle in this season:

• Pregnancy was unplanned or unwanted. This is the case in about HALF of pregnancies.

• The birth experience was traumatic. This occurs in about one-third of births.

• Breastfeeding or feeding challenges.

• Lack of sleep, physical recovery, or hormonal shifts.

• Caring for a medically fragile infant or spending time in the NICU.

• Simply feeling overwhelmed by the immense changes of new parenthood.

It’s okay to struggle. It’s okay to ask for help. You deserve support.

I use evidence-based approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), along with deep compassion and flexibility. My practice is entirely virtual—no need to change out of your pajamas or worry about your baby’s schedule. Come as you are. You’re welcome to have your baby with you during sessions or to find a quiet space for only you. We’ll make it work.

Therapy for Parents Beyond the First Year

The challenges of parenthood don’t end after the postpartum year. I once heard someone say that once you’ve had a child, “You’ll always be postpartum,” and that rings true. Parenting is a lifelong journey, with each stage bringing new questions and emotional demands. I help parents navigate topics such as:

Transitioning out of the baby years and redefining your role

• Mental load and decision fatigue (especially in partnered parenting)

• Navigating conflict about parenting approaches

• Intergenerational patterns—wanting to parent differently than you were raised

• Blended families, co-parenting, or forming a new parenting identity

• Feeling lost in the identity shift that parenting brings

From 2011 to 2021, I saw both adults and children for therapy. Starting in 2022, I began to restrict my practice to adults. That being said, I love kids, I have expertise related to children’s mental health and parenting, and I am happy to do some psychoeducation with parents as part of their therapy on topics like parent-child relationships and effective discipline.

I’m a mom of 3 and in the stage of life where I’ve watched both clients and loved ones move through the joys and challenges of parenthood. I’m also a lifelong learner—a curious introvert, a researcher at heart, and someone who finds comfort curled up with books on parenting and parental mental health. I’m currently pursuing certification in Perinatal Mental Health through Postpartum Support International - PSI.

Postpartum Support International offers wonderful resources for new and expecting parents, including virtual support groups and a helpline: 1-800-944-4773. You’re not alone—help is here.