Perinatal Mental Health Therapy
Support for moms, dads, and partners navigating pregnancy, birth, and new parenthood.
Bringing a new baby into the world is one of the most profound transitions in life. But for many expecting and new parents, it’s also one of the most overwhelming. Whether you’re currently pregnant, recovering from birth, or navigating the early days (or months) of parenting, perinatal therapy offers a safe space to explore your emotions, get grounded, and feel supported—no matter what this season brings.
What Is Perinatal Mental Health Therapy?
Perinatal Mental Health Therapy is support for individuals and couples during pregnancy and after childbirth. “Perinatal” refers to the time during pregnancy and up to one year after birth, though many parents seek help even earlier or later than this timeframe. Therapy during this time can address a wide range of emotional, relational, and psychological challenges—including those that often go unseen or misunderstood.
Why This Work Matters
Becoming a parent changes everything. Your body, your brain, your priorities, your relationships—all of it shifts. Some of those changes are beautiful. Others are harder to talk about. You may feel intense love one minute and deep loneliness the next. You might be grieving your old life, questioning your abilities, or carrying guilt for not feeling how you think you “should.”
These experiences are incredibly common. And yet, many parents suffer in silence.
Perinatal therapy breaks that silence. It gives voice to what you’re carrying and offers real support for navigating it all—so you don’t have to do it alone.
“This isn’t just therapy for postpartum depression. It’s therapy for you—your identity, your relationships, your mental health.”
Who Can Benefit From Perinatal Therapy?
This kind of therapy isn’t just for mothers. It’s for anyone preparing for or adjusting to life with a baby—whether you're pregnant, adopting, a partner, or a support person. This time in life brings a flood of emotions—and therapy can help you make sense of them with compassion and clarity.
Therapy can be helpful if you’re:
Pregnant and feeling anxious, disconnected, or overwhelmed
Recovering from a difficult birth experience
Struggling with changes in your relationship or identity
Experiencing postpartum depression, anxiety, or rage
A partner feeling unsure of how to help or support
Adjusting to sleep deprivation, isolation, or intrusive thoughts
Holding guilt, shame, or resentment that feels hard to name
Wanting to strengthen your bond with your baby or co-parent
How Therapy Can Help During Pregnancy
Pregnancy is often portrayed as a time of glowing joy—but the reality is more complex. Many people experience heightened anxiety, body image changes, fear about birth or parenting, and stress in their relationships. Whether it’s your first baby or your fourth, therapy can help you:
Cope with anxiety or intrusive thoughts
Prepare mentally and emotionally for labor and delivery
Process fears around childbirth or medical interventions
Navigate shifts in your relationship
Address past trauma or loss that’s resurfacing
Explore your expectations, hopes, and worries around parenthood
Build emotional resilience before the baby arrives
Pregnancy is not just a physical journey—it’s an emotional one, too. Therapy offers a safe, nonjudgmental space to check in with yourself and prepare for what’s ahead.
How Therapy Can Help After Birth
After your baby is born, the world expects you to “bounce back.” But becoming a parent is a total identity transformation—not something you recover from, but something you grow through.
Postpartum therapy can support you in:
Managing mood swings, anxiety, depression, or anger
Coping with intrusive thoughts or scary mental images
Processing a difficult or traumatic birth experience
Healing from medical complications or NICU stays
Exploring your new identity and relationship to your body
Rebuilding connection with your partner or support system
Navigating the emotional rollercoaster of sleep deprivation, feeding challenges, or isolation
Making space for grief, loss, or unexpected emotions
Whether your baby is 6 days or 6 months old, therapy can help you feel more present, connected, and supported.
Therapy for Fathers and Partners
Partners often feel pressure to “stay strong” or put their own needs aside during this time.
But you’re going through a major transition, too—and your experience matters.
Perinatal therapy can help partners:
Manage stress, overwhelm, or burnout
Strengthen communication and teamwork in parenting
Support a loved one experiencing postpartum mental health challenges
Navigate changes in intimacy, roles, and expectations
Process feelings of helplessness, resentment, or disconnection
Find their own voice in this season of transition
You don’t have to have all the answers. Showing up for therapy is a powerful way to care for your family—by first caring for yourself.
Common Approaches Used in Perinatal Therapy
Your therapist will tailor support to your unique needs, but some commonly used approaches include:
Mindfulness and grounding tools to reduce anxiety and increase presence
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to identify and reframe unhelpful thoughts
Attachment-based work to strengthen your bond with your baby or partner
Narrative processing to help you make meaning of your story and identity
Somatic and body-based techniques to help regulate your nervous system
Trauma-informed care that honors the impact of medical, birth, or relational trauma
You’ll never be pushed to talk about anything before you're ready. The goal is always to meet you where you are—with compassion, not judgment.
The Benefits of Perinatal Therapy
Therapy won’t make parenting easy—but it will make it lighter. It helps you feel less alone, more grounded, and better equipped to face whatever this season brings.
Some of the benefits include:
Greater emotional stability and stress relief
Improved mood, sleep, and self-confidence
Stronger relationships with your partner and baby
Healing from birth trauma or past experiences
Tools to manage anxiety, guilt, and self-doubt
A deeper understanding of yourself and your needs
Space to feel seen, supported, and empowered
Parenthood is too big to do alone. You deserve real support—not just “You’ve got this,” but someone who walks with you through the messy, honest parts of becoming a parent.