Therapy for Perinatal Mental Health

Therapy for TTC, Pregnant & Postpartum Women in Philadelphia, and online throughout Pennsylvania & New Jersey

are

you …

  • Parent's-to-be, or not-to-be? This is an increasingly common conversation amongst couples. The days of parenthood as a given are far past us. The unique fears are pressures of life today are relevant to these life-altering decisions. As are worries about change, aging, and what makes life meaningful. I am honored to hold space for these conversations and take all the time that is required to sort through the emotions that can leave us in an anxious stuck place around this important topic.

    For sensitive souls contemplating becoming parents, the psychological wheels are in motion long before any decisive action is taken. Big emotions come up demanding to be worked through, at least partially, before you make a decision. It is admirable to take this decision seriously, the world needs more people who consider what it means to them to have or not have children. During this season, having a place to explore existential concerns, clarify values and meaning in life, eco-anxiety, and process unconscious thoughts, beliefs, or imagined futures is often a rich undertaking.

  • Sex-Ed often leaves us with an expectation that as soon as you stop using protection, you'll instantly become pregnant. You may have watched friends and family find this part easy and so you are left feeling isolated and let down by your body. Waiting for an unknown number of months can generate intense anxiety. Social comparison and nosey parents can further complicate this season.

    Perhaps you have suffered the pain of pregnancy loss and feel overwhelmed by grief and hopelessness. You may be considering or are already in the process of fertility treatments, which add enormous amounts of stress on you and your partner.

    There are opportunities within this period to work on health anxiety, tollerating uncertainty, and to grow our support system that may one day grow to include a new addition.

    Oftentimes, couples find this is a first experience of going through a stressor simultaneously, instead of supporting each other as individuals. Therapy during this time can support you to cope with uncertainty, start processing family dynamics, and make meaningful changes that will support you no matter where life takes you next.

  • Your life is changing in a big way, that's one thing that's certain. Pregnancy runs the full gamut: Physical, psychological, emotional, relational and practical. I often say to pregnant women, if you're not a little overwhelmed, you may not be paying attention!

    Not loving aspects of your entire pregnancy experience is more common than the internet or even your friends might lead you to think! All of this can be true while you are still looking forward to being a mom and excited to connect with and love your baby. 

    Compassion focused therapy during pregnancy is a natural fit. It is a honor to hold space pregnant women navigating this transitional time. I work with pregnant women to discover or strengthen what it means to be your own wise, inner parent. Being there for yourself with kindness throughout pregnancy has numerous benefits, and the positive ripples that emanate out from this work are often life-altering for you and your family.

  • Our culture will lead you to belief that postpartum is a blissful time of bonding with your new baby. So it surprises many new moms when their experience is far from that shiny imagined reality. Feeling this way doesn't not make you a bad parent!

    It is a privilege to work with postpartum women in therapy. You love your baby, but you're not sure how to keep going. Allow me to support you to find your footing, seek additional supports, and start feeling better. Postpartum anxiety and depression are common experiences that are highly treatable. You do not have to feel this way, or dismiss it as the "baby-blues". Therapy can help you assert your needs, make space for big emotions, and recalibrate after this huge transition. You deserve a non-judgmental space to heal.

Trying to conceive, pregnancy, birth and postpartum are all unique stages that deserve care and attention. 

You have the desire to consciously move through this stage by listening to your body, feeling your feelings, and setting boundaries … but that’s easier said than done!

As the enormous life transition that it is, this period is ripe with opportunities for anxiety to surface, relationships to strain, and overwhelm to take hold.

In life, there are seasons for giving and seasons for receiving.

The perinatal period is a season for receiving.


Breathe. I’m in your corner. You can do this!

You only need to spend 5 minutes on a 30-something’s Instagram to see that society tells us that the road to parenthood is pure joy, easy, and “natural”. Parents-to-be are often overwhelmed and self-critical when their experiences do not meet these unrealistic expectations. 

Embarking on the road to parenthood is perhaps the greatest transition we face in life, and it is more than okay if your journey so far has been challenging or is bringing up difficult feelings. Throw hormones and the inherent uncertainty of this process and you have a recipe for strain on your mental health and wellbeing. What you’re going through is all very understandable, even if right now you’re feeling very alone. There is an adjustment within the entire family system unfolding that’s bigger than yourself.

Maybe you have always identified as a somewhat anxious person, and now the idea or reality of pregnancy is throwing you for a loop! You may notice conversations that always lead back to the place you started or that you're frustrated with your close relationships. 

Not loving aspects of your entire pregnancy experience is more common than the internet would lead you to think! All of this can be true while you are still looking forward to being a mom and excited to connect with and love your baby. 

Perinatal therapy can give you the tools to cope during pregnancy, promote mental well-being, and prepare for birth and postpartum. Those who seek prenatal treatment can reduce their odds of developing postpartum depression and anxiety. 

can you relate?

  • I am anxious about becoming a parent.

  • I am not sure if I really want kids.

  • I feel pressure from family/society to have kids or be on a certain timeline.

  • I am concerned about the world I would bring a child into.

  • This time is bringing up all the hurt from my childhood.

  • I am terrified to feel a loss of control (of my body, time, priorities, relationships).

  • The pressures on modern parents feels immense to me.

  • I am pregnant and feeling very anxious about almost everything pregnancy/baby related.

  • I feel like I’m already experiencing “mom guilt”.

  • I am fearful of replicating the parent/child dynamic I experienced.

  • I’m afraid I will lose my sense of self when becoming a parent.

  • I’m experiencing infertility and I feel so lonely.

  • My family / in-laws are stressing me to no end.

  • I had a miscarriage and now I’m afraid to try again.

  • My pregnancy or birth has been traumatic and I’m struggling to process what happened.

  • The mental load of being the primary parent is hurting my relationship.

  • I’m overwhelmed, irritable or experiencing rage.

  • My mood and hormones are all over the place.

  • I feel alone and weird for feeling this way when I “should” be happy.

  • This is not what I thought it would be!

Our culture fails miserably to acknowledge that while the perinatal period is outwardly a happy time for some, the transition to parenthood is universally filled with a sense of grief, loss, confusion and identity shifts. The old childhood stuff that we thought we moved on from? Yes, for many those feelings come back, in a new and intense way. Breathe.

How to get started with Perinatal Therapy at Aligned Life Therapy?

Aligned Life Therapy provides perinatal mental health therapy in Philadelphia and throughout Pennsylvania. If you’re ready to get started, follow these steps:

  • Get in touch -  Reach out to me by email or through the contact form to ask about availability. I will return your message within 24 hours on business days to schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation. 

  • Have your free consultation - This call will give you a chance to ask any questions you have before your first appointment. It also allows me to get to know you, what’s bringing you in, and determine if we are a good fit. Your first session will be scheduled during the call. 

  • Fill out consent forms and intake questionnaire -. In order to dive right in, I’ll send you a secure link to my client portal after our consultation. Fill out these forms and read the consent and practice policy documents carefully prior to the first session. 

  • Receive your video chat link or office directions - Before your session, you’ll receive reminders by text and email with either a link to the video chat for online sessions or office directions and parking instructions for in-person in Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia.

  • Have your first session - From either a private and comfortable location or the office, your first few sessions will be focused on getting to know you, and your concerns and collaborating on treatment goals.