Support for pregnancy, the postpartum months and new parents
Becoming a parent can bring joy and exhaustion, worry and tension between partners, often all in the same day. I support parents who feel low, anxious or overwhelmed, and couples who feel the strain of a new baby.
You might be noticing
- Worry during pregnancy that is hard to switch off
- Low mood, tearfulness or numbness that lasts beyond the first weeks
- Intrusive, frightening thoughts about the baby's safety
- A difficult or traumatic birth that keeps replaying
- Feeling distant from your partner, or arguing more
- Missing who you were before, and adjusting to a new identity
- Pressure from family, culture or returning to work
How therapy helps
We make room for everything you are feeling, without judgment, and look at what would help most right now: rest and support, practical coping skills for anxiety, making sense of the birth, or reconnecting as a couple.
For couples, the arrival of a baby often shakes a relationship that felt solid. Sleep loss and new roles can push partners into the cycle of reaching and withdrawing. Emotionally Focused Therapy helps you become a team again. More about couples therapy.
If you have thoughts of harming yourself or your baby, call or text 9-8-8 or go to your nearest emergency department now. These thoughts are a sign that you need care, and help is available.
Questions from new parents
Is it normal to feel low after having a baby?
Many parents have a few days of tearfulness and mood swings after birth. If low mood, anxiety or numbness lasts more than two weeks, or makes it hard to get through the day, please speak with your doctor, midwife or nurse practitioner as well as a therapist. Postpartum depression and anxiety are common and treatable, and they can affect partners too.
Can I bring my baby to an online session?
Yes. Babies are welcome on screen. We can pause whenever you need to feed, settle or change them.
Is therapy with you covered by insurance?
Most extended health plans cover services by a Registered Social Worker (RSW). You receive a receipt after each session to submit to your insurer. Check how much your plan covers each year, and whether couples sessions are claimed under one partner. See fees and insurance.
Reaching out is often the hardest step
Book a free 15-minute call to ask your questions and see if we are a good fit, with no pressure to continue.