If Having a Child Has Turned Your World Upside Down...
I Can Help You Regain Your Center
If you are feeling overwhelmed and not sure what to do,
it might be time to ask for support.
It can feel like no one understands what you are going through...and they probably don't. You face challenges and joys that are all your own. You ARE going to get through it, but in the meantime, why not get the support you need? Therapy can help you through through struggles with infertility, pregnancy, postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, and postpartum adjustment.
With support, you CAN feel better, more in control, and more empowered. The transition to parenthood (and how we get there) is different for every woman. I am honored to help women through this life changing time and support them as they discover their own strength, wisdom, and power.
Growing your family can bring up unexpected struggles.
I work with women who are:
- dealing with infertility or secondary infertility
- recovering from a traumatic birth or handling health issues (yours or your childs)
- struggling with nursing and newborn care
- feeling abandoned by your partner
- sad and lonely during long hours alone with your baby
- experiencing terrible mood swings
- making decisions about when, how and whether to return to work
- worrying about your body, your sex life, your relationship, or your identity
- wanting individualized support for your unique situation
Your pain is real.
You deserve to have the time to really talk and be truly listened to. You deserve a safe place to cry. And you deserve to know that you can feel better and more in control even when things are incredibly tough. I provide a place for you to figure out what you need and receive the support and structure that will help you do more than just survive during this transition.
What is going on with me?
Maternal mental health disorders are the most common complication of pregnancy. One in seven women suffer from postpartum depression or postpartum anxiety during the first year of their child's life (or during pregnancy). Struggling with the postpartum adjustment doesn't mean you are weak, making things up, not trying hard enough, or not a good mother.
Postpartum Depression
At least 15 percent of women experience postpartum depression in the first year after childbirth. Postpartum depression can show up in many different ways (we are all unique remember), but some of the common symptoms are:
- Feelings of anger or irritability
- Lack of interest in your baby
- Changes in eating and sleeping patterns
- Lots of crying and feelings of sadness
- Feelings of guilt, shame or hopelessness
- Loss of interest, joy or pleasure in things you used to enjoy
- Thoughts or fantasies of harming the baby or yourself
Postpartum depression is treatable. However, it requires that you allow ourselves to get the support you need. Shifting your mindset from being solely focused on caring for your baby, to taking care of yourself can be very difficult and counterintuitive. It takes a lot of courage to ask for help, and it is absolutely the best thing you can do for your baby, yourself, and the other relationships in your life. The right therapist can help you prioritise your needs and create a plan to keep you and your baby, and the rest of your family, supported, healthy, and able to grow and develop. Lastly, if you do feel that you are struggling with Postpartum Depression, it is best to begin treatment as soon as possible and begin your journey back to health.
Postpartum Anxiety
Approximately 6 percent of pregnant women and 10 percent of postpartum women experience clinical levels of anxiety. For some this anxiety is paired with depression, for others the anxiety is experienced without symptoms of pre/postpartum depression.
As with postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety can look differently for different women. Some of the symptoms include:
- Constant worry
- Feeling that something bad is going to happen
- Racing thoughts
- Disturbances of sleep and appetite
- Inability to sit still
- physical symptoms like dizziness, hot flashes, and nausea
Infertility and Secondary Infertility
If you want to grow your family and it's not happening according to plan, it can be heartbreaking, frustrating, stressful, and scary. The uncertainty, the disappointment, and the sadness can take a toll on your work, your health, and your relationships. No one should have to go through the pain of infertility or secondary infertility on their own. Having a skilled counselor by your side can help you develop your plan of action, manage the rollercoaster of emotions, manage stress, and help keep your relationships strong throughout this difficult journey.