Therapy for Postpartum Depression in California

Do you ever think- “this is not what I thought it’d be like?”

You had envisioned being happy and loving your baby and instead you find yourself feeling overwhelmed and lost. At times you feel like you “just can’t do this.” It feels like you’re always going to feel this way. You feel that you aren’t cut out to be a mom, that there must be something wrong with you. That you’re failing your baby.

You are not alone.

Did you know that 1 in 5 moms report having Postpartum Depression?

In fact, about 80% of mothers report feeling some sort of “baby blues” after birth. Becoming a mother is a huge transition - physically, emotionally, and personally. It can take time to feel like “yourself” again.

While it can be common to feel more “emotional” in the weeks after giving birth and to have moments of overwhelm and doubt, if you find yourself feeling stuck in it, that things will never get better, and you’re starting to find it difficult to care for yourself and baby, you may be experiencing Postpartum Depression.

You are also more likely to experience Postpartum Depression if you have previously struggled with Depression, Anxiety or another Mood Disorder, you had a difficult pregnancy, and/or you experienced a difficult / traumatic birth.

The most important thing to know is that you don’t have to stay feeling this way and that Postpartum Depression is highly treatable!

You can feel better and be the mother you always wanted to be.

Hi, I’m Melissa

I’m a mom to two kids and a therapist.

I’ve worked with a lot of mothers that have struggled with Postpartum Depression and Postpartum Anxiety.

The most important thing to know is that you are not alone and that you’re not failing. This is hard and you can start to feel better.

In the beginning of therapy we’ll focus on very practical ways you can start to take care of yourself and get more support. Then we’ll start to look at the bigger picture - how your thoughts and beliefs about yourself, your relationships, your past and how you grew up, etc. may also be contributing to feelings of depression and anxiety. If you have experienced past trauma, including birth trauma, we can explore how a specialized therapy called EMDR can be helpful.

You are deserving and you can feel good about yourself as a mom!

My therapy services are a combination of emotional support and guidance while teaching you research-backed strategies to help you feel good about yourself as a mom.

About Postpartum Depression

  • Postpartum Depression is basically experiencing depression during the postpartum time after having a baby.

  • Symptoms of Postpartum Depression include:

    • depressed mood and/or extreme mood swings

    • frequent crying

    • difficulties bonding with baby

    • loss of appetite or eating more than usual

    • difficulties sleeping (even when tired) or oversleeping

    • less interests and pleasure in activities you typically enjoy

    • feelings of worthlessness, shame, guilt and/or inadquacey

    • hopelessness

    • intense irritability and anger

    • withdrawing/isolating from family and friends

    • high anxiety, panic attacks

    • thoughts of harming yourself or your baby

    • recurring thoughts of death or suicide

  • The "Baby Blues" is a common experience that many mothers have after the birth of their baby. It typically happens in the first couples weeks after baby is born and lasts for only a couple days up to two weeks.

    Some symptoms for the Baby Blues include:

    • mood swings

    • anxiety

    • sadness

    • irritability

    • feeling overwhelmed

    • crying

    • appetite problems

    • trouble sleeping

  • Typically the severity and the length of time will distinguish the Baby Blues from Postpartum Depression.

    Postpartum Depression symptoms are more intense and tend to last longer than the Baby Blues.

    It is possible for the Baby Blues to turn into Postpartum Depression.

  • There a multiple factors that are likely in play for Postpartum Depression, these include:

    • Hormonal changes after giving birth

    • Sleep deprivation

    • Genetics (those with a family history of PPD or other Mood Disorders have an increased risk of developing PPD themselves)

    • Past Emotional Struggles (those that have struggled with Depression, Anxiety, and other Mood Disorders are at more risk of developing PPD).

    • Lack of support

    • Difficult relationship with partner

    • Financial difficulties

    • Other stressful life events

  • Postpartum Anxiety is similar to Postpartum Depression, however symptoms are around feeling anxiety. This can include:

    • Worrying frequently

    • Racing thoughts, especially about worse-case scenarios

    • Irrational fears and unable to stop thinking about things that are unlikely to happen

    • irritability

    • feeling on edge or fearful

    • intrusive thoughts and/or images about bad things happening to self, baby or other family/friends.

    Physically you may feel:

    • tightness in chest

    • nausea or stomachaches

    • increased heart rate or heart palpitations

    • loss of appetite

    • disrupted sleep

    You may also find yourself:

    • Avoiding certain activities, people or places due to fears/anxiety

    • Checking things over and over again

    • Being controlling, including not letting other be with or care for baby

  • If you find that you are struggling then I'd highly recommend to seek out therapy and/or other support immediately, rather than taking a "wait and see" approach. The demands of postpartum time are very high and can be very difficult to manage. Getting support sooner rather than later can save you a lot of struggle and time trying rather than trying to deal with it on your own. You are deserving of support and in feeling good about yourself as a mom.

    If at any time you are struggling with thoughts of harm towards yourself or baby, seek out help immediately- telling your partner or trusted support person, calling 911, contacting your doctor, and/or going to the hospital.