Perinatal/Postpartum

A safe space to talk about the various joys, questions, and challenges of prenatal, pregnancy, and postpartum experiences is beneficial to women and men in need of support. 

Perinatal and postnatal therapy counseling are forms of mental health treatment that focus on the emotional and psychological well-being of parents and infants during the perinatal period, which encompasses pregnancy, childbirth, and the first year of a child’s life. Perinatal therapy counseling can help expectant parents to manage anxiety, depression, and other emotional challenges that may arise during pregnancy, as well as provide guidance on preparing for the transition to parenthood. Postnatal therapy counseling, on the other hand, focuses on supporting parents during the period after childbirth, when they may experience a range of emotional and psychological challenges. This type of therapy can help new parents adjust to the demands of caring for a newborn, manage postpartum depression and anxiety, and navigate the challenges of balancing work, family, and self-care.

Parenthood is often portrayed as a rite of passage and a joyous life changing event for those that enter into it.  However, there is less talk about the various challenges of becoming pregnant, going through a pregnancy and delivering a healthy child, and the postpartum period that many new parents experience. A safe space to talk about these issues is beneficial to women or men that have these challenges. 

The fact is that the loss of the dream of becoming a parent due to infertility, miscarriage, stillbirths, and/or infant loss can lead to more than just a sense of grief.  Also, some new parents with traumatic childbirth experiences and those home with a newborn may begin to realize that they are experiencing depressed mood extending beyond just the “baby blues,” and the fear and stigma of postpartum-onset depression and/or anxiety can feel unbearable. If these emotions are not dealt with, individuals can experience prolonged symptoms of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, and more. 

The good news for these families is that there are great treatments to help them cope and heal from the impact of these experiences. With support and guidance, these individuals can find hope, even in times when their dreams about parenthood are marred by fertility struggles, loss, and postpartum challenges.