We Offer Compassion
Pregnancy is a transformative time in a woman’s life, not only physically, but psychologically. Little by little (or like a ton of bricks), a woman’s views of herself, her relationships, and her life shift, making pregnancy a potentially vulnerable and confusing time. Expectations surrounding pregnancy are idealized in our society, so when their experience doesn’t match the ideal, women may ask themselves questions like:
“Isn’t this supposed to be a happy time?”
“What’s wrong with me?”
“Does this mean I’m going to be a bad mother?”
Additionally, about 1 in 5 women will experience complications with their pregnancy—for example, premature birth, an unexpected outcome, or traumatic delivery—that warrant specialized support. These experiences can trigger symptoms that include worry, sadness, difficulty sleeping, changes in appetite, and irritability. Many women soldier on, but if these symptoms are left untreated, quality of life can suffer and there is greater risk of developing a postpartum mood or anxiety disorder.
There are well-established prenatal care systems that address the physical aspect of pregnancy, but we do not have similar mechanisms for helping a woman prepare for the equally powerful emotional changes of impending parenthood. Psychological well-being is of great value and importance, not only to the pregnant woman herself, but also to her infant and her family.
Fortunately, there is help available, and you don’t have to struggle alone.
We Have Expertise
With specialized training and experience in reproductive mental health, our clinicians provide high-quality services to address this important need. Treatment can be adapted to focus on the typical course of pregnancy, high-risk pregnancies, domestic violence, unresolved grief or loss, depression, anxiety, and other mental health disruptions. We utilize a variety of modalities to customize treatment to meet your needs, including:
- interpersonal therapy
- psychodynamic psychotherapy
- attachment-based interventions
- emotion-focused therapy
- couple and family therapy
- mindfulness-based psychotherapy
- exposure with response prevention (ERP)
- emotion regulation skills
We Emphasize Wellness
If you are suffering from mental or emotional distress, it is important that you talk with a healthcare professional. All symptoms, from mild to severe, are treatable with the help and support of an experienced clinician. We understand that your mental and physical well-being go hand-in-hand, so we will also work collaboratively with your OB-GYN to ensure the healthiest possible pregnancy and postpartum period.