Postpartum Therapy
You Don't Have to Navigate Motherhood Alone
Pregnancy is intense. Motherhood is hard. Whatever you're struggling with — postpartum depression, anxiety, rage, birth trauma, or simply feeling overwhelmed — your feelings are valid, and healing is possible.
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If you're struggling after birth, you are not broken and you are not a bad mother. Postpartum challenges aren't a reflection of your worth — they're a signal that you need more support, understanding, and practical tools to navigate one of life's most profound transitions.
You don't have to suffer in silence. With the right support, you can find your way back to feeling like yourself while embracing this new chapter of motherhood.
Whether you're pregnant, recently gave birth, or still navigating the postpartum period months later, our therapists are here for you. We specialize in postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, birth trauma, and the full spectrum of postpartum experiences — and we offer both in-person sessions in Fair Oaks and telehealth throughout California.
Signs You Might Benefit from Postpartum Therapy
Postpartum Depression
- Persistent sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness
- Anger or irritability that feels unlike you
- Feeling disconnected from your baby
- Difficulty enjoying things that once brought pleasure
- Intense guilt or shame about your experience
- Crying more often than usual
- Questioning your worth or ability as a mother
- Sleep or appetite changes beyond normal newborn adjustments
Postpartum Anxiety
- Constant worry about your baby's safety or wellbeing
- Racing thoughts you can't quiet
- Unable to relax or rest, even when baby is sleeping
- Physical symptoms like dizziness or nausea
- Feeling hypervigilant or constantly on alert
- Intrusive thoughts about something bad happening
- Panic attacks or sudden waves of intense anxiety
- Difficulty sleeping due to worry, even when exhausted
Postpartum Stress & Overwhelm
- Feeling overwhelmed by the demands of motherhood
- Struggling to balance self-care with baby care
- Feeling touched out or overstimulated
- Tension in your body — neck, shoulders, jaw
- Struggling to feel like yourself again
- Feeling like you're "just surviving"
- Difficulty maintaining relationships or feeling connected
- Thoughts of inadequacy or fear of failure as a mom
What Postpartum Depression Really Looks Like
Motherhood brings many changes, and sometimes it's hard to know what's "normal" and when you might benefit from additional support. Here are some common experiences that can signal it's time to reach out:
You're feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, and anxious — wondering if you're doing this right, wondering when it's going to get easier.
You feel angry, sad, or irritable but assume it's all normal and expected in early motherhood, so you just keep taking it one day at a time.
You feel like you're losing yourself and need space to stay connected with who you are outside of mothering.
You are not enjoying motherhood and don't understand why you feel this way.
You've heard about postpartum depression but feel scared to look into it — worried that having it means you're not a good mom.
The birth experience was magical, traumatic, baffling, or overwhelming, and you need a safe space to process it.
You keep thinking about how you were raised and wondering how it impacts you now that you're a mom.
You're overwhelmed by all the parenting advice and want to develop and trust your own intuition.
We see you. We hear you. You are not alone.
Common Types of Postpartum Challenges
Postpartum Depression (PPD)
More than just "baby blues," PPD can feel like a weighted blanket you can't escape. You might find yourself feeling numb or disconnected from your baby, overwhelmed by sadness, or struggling with unexpected anger. These feelings aren't your fault — they're often related to hormonal changes, sleep deprivation, and the massive life adjustment that comes with motherhood.
Postpartum Anxiety (PPA)
While some worry is expected as a new mom, postpartum anxiety can feel like your mind is stuck in overdrive. You might find yourself constantly scanning for danger, unable to rest even when you have the chance, or experiencing intrusive thoughts that feel scary and embarrassing. PPA is common and very treatable.
Postpartum Rage
One of the most surprising and least discussed postpartum experiences, rage can feel scary and shameful — but it's more common than you might think. This intense anger often arises without an obvious reason and can leave you feeling guilty and confused. Often, rage is a signal that your boundaries are being crossed, your needs aren't being met, or you're carrying too heavy a load.
Birth Trauma
Sometimes birth doesn't go as planned, leaving you with feelings of fear, disappointment, or trauma. Whether you experienced medical complications, felt unsupported during delivery, or were simply overwhelmed by the intensity of birth, these experiences can deeply impact your transition into motherhood. Healing from birth trauma is possible with gentle, trauma-informed support.
Postpartum OCD
Characterized by intrusive thoughts or images — often about harm coming to the baby — and compulsive behaviors to prevent feared outcomes. While these thoughts can feel terrifying, they're actually a sign that your mind is trying to protect your baby, and they are treatable with the right therapeutic support.
Postpartum Stress & Overwhelm
Sometimes called "postpartum overwhelm," this manifests as a constant state of feeling stretched too thin. It's the weight of endless responsibilities, the pressure to do it all, and the exhaustion of constantly putting everyone else's needs before your own. You deserve support too.
Important: If you're experiencing thoughts of harming yourself or your baby, seeing or hearing things others don't, or feeling severely confused or disconnected from reality, please seek immediate medical attention. You can call 988 for immediate support, or go to your nearest emergency room.
What Postpartum Therapy Can Help You Do
When you work with one of our postpartum therapists, we can help you:
Find relief from postpartum depression, anxiety, stress, and rage
Process and integrate your pregnancy and birth experiences
Learn to trust your body's wisdom and access your mom intuition
Transform overwhelming emotions into manageable experiences
Create a sustainable self-care practice
Release stored tension and stress from your nervous system
Learn practical tools for managing anxiety and intrusive thoughts
Set healthy boundaries with family and loved ones without guilt
Navigate the transition into motherhood with more grace and ease
Heal intergenerational trauma patterns
Build a stronger, more intuitive bond with your baby
Experience motherhood with less stress and more joy
Our Approach to Postpartum Therapy
We believe supporting new moms requires more than traditional talk therapy. Our approach blends evidence-based techniques with holistic modalities to support deep, lasting healing — honoring your mind, body, and spirit.
Somatic Therapy
Your body holds deep wisdom, especially during the postpartum period. Through gentle somatic work, we help you reconnect with your body's natural rhythms, release stored tension or birth-related trauma, and restore a sense of safety after birth.
Learn more →Brainspotting
Brainspotting accesses the deeper brain where trauma is stored, allowing for gentle, effective processing of birth trauma, postpartum anxiety, and overwhelming emotions — often reaching places that talk therapy alone cannot.
Learn more →DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy)
DBT provides practical, skills-based tools for managing overwhelming emotions, tolerating distress, and improving relationships — all of which are invaluable during the postpartum period.
Learn more →Inner Child Work
Becoming a parent often surfaces memories and patterns from our own childhood. Inner child work helps you understand how your past experiences influence your motherhood journey and supports healing at a deeper level.
Learn more →EFT Tapping
Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) combines gentle tapping on acupressure points with focused attention to reduce the intensity of difficult emotions, anxiety, and stress — a practical tool you can use between sessions.
Learn more →Mind-Body-Spirit Approach
Our holistic framework honors every dimension of your experience — not just symptoms, but the deeper emotional, relational, and spiritual shifts that motherhood brings. We create space for all of it.
Learn more →How Postpartum Therapy Works
Our approach to postpartum therapy is gentle and paced according to your needs. Sessions flow like a conversation, weaving together traditional talk therapy with body-based practices and practical tools you can start using right away.
Initial sessions focus on establishing safety and understanding your unique experience. As therapy progresses, you'll learn tools for nervous system regulation, explore relationship patterns, and gradually process difficult experiences at a pace that feels manageable.
There's nothing taboo or off-limits in postpartum therapy. You can share all the fears, challenges, and concerns you have without fear of judgment. We hold space for the full reality of your experience — the hard parts and the beautiful parts alike.
We offer postpartum therapy in-person at our Fair Oaks office and via telehealth throughout California, so you can access support wherever you are — including from your couch during nap time.
Postpartum Therapy FAQs
Do I have postpartum depression or is this just the baby blues?
The key difference lies in timing, duration, and intensity. Baby blues typically begin within days of birth, peak around day 5, and naturally resolve within two weeks. Postpartum depression can begin anytime in the first year, lasts longer than two weeks, feels more intense and persistent, and makes it hard to function or care for yourself and your baby. If you're beyond the two-week mark and still struggling — or if your feelings are intense enough to interfere with daily life at any point — it's time to reach out for support.
Is postpartum anxiety different from postpartum depression?
Yes. Postpartum anxiety involves excessive worry, racing thoughts, and a constant sense of dread — sometimes occurring alongside depression or on its own. Many mothers experience intrusive thoughts about harm coming to their baby. While scary, these thoughts are common and very treatable. You don't have to white-knuckle your way through it.
Can therapy help with postpartum rage?
Absolutely. Postpartum rage is one of the most common yet least talked-about postpartum experiences. It often signals that your needs aren't being met, your boundaries are being crossed, or you're carrying too much. Therapy gives you a safe space to understand what's underneath the anger and develop tools to respond rather than react.
Does online therapy work for postpartum depression and anxiety?
Yes — online postpartum therapy is not only effective but also incredibly convenient for new moms who may find it challenging to leave the house. Our telehealth sessions provide the same high-quality care and connection as in-person therapy, from the comfort of your own home. We offer telehealth throughout California.
How do I get started?
Simply fill out our free consultation request form and we'll call you within one business day to learn more about what you're going through, answer your questions, and match you with the right therapist. There's no pressure — just a warm conversation to see if we're a good fit.
You Deserve Support on This Journey
Reaching out for help is an act of love — for yourself and for your baby. We're here for you.
Request a Free Consultation