Perinatal Mental Health

Becoming a parent can bring on a roller coaster of emotions under the best of circumstances.  When these emotions become too big or hard to handle, interfere with your daily tasks and functioning, or impair your ability to connect with your baby or your partner you may be experiencing symptoms of a perinatal mood disorder.  Symptoms can emerge as early as during pregnancy, show up immediately after delivery, or at any point in the first year post-partum, and they can look different for every mom.  Scary thoughts, anxiety, sadness, guilt, anger, or worthlessness, feeling detached or just not like yourself are just some of the ways Perinatal Mood Disorders can appear.

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If any of this sounds familiar, you are not alone! 80% of moms will experience increased mood swings and weepiness in the first few weeks after delivery, this is frequently referred to as the "baby blues," and is a normal period of adjustment that generally resolves on it's own without any intervention needed.  However, 15-20% of moms will experience more intense symptoms of depression or anxiety and meet criteria for a Perinatal Mood Disorder that would benefit from ongoing treatment.  This is not exclusive to mom's either! 1 in 10 dads experience post-natal mood disorders as well.  Sometimes these symptoms will eventually resolve on their own, other times they can last up to years after you welcome your child into your home.  There is no reason to suffer.  I can provide individual sessions to address depression and/or anxiety symptoms, or couples sessions to address adjusting to parenthood, new roles, or a growing family.

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If your delivery resulted in involvement with the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), you and your partner can be at an even higher risk for suffering from a Post-Natal Mental Health Disorder. I am here to walk with you through your NICU journey and whatever comes next.

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The most important thing to know is that you are not alone and it will get better.  Help is only a call away.