Perinatal Therapy

PERINATAL THERAPY WITH THE RELATIONSHIP RESOURCE

The journey into parenthood is intense! It can be intensely exciting, beautiful, overwhelming, special, emotional, exhausting, and often these intense experiences feel as though they are happening all at once! 

Perinatal mental health begins preconception and continues through fertility, pregnancy, postpartum, and parenting during infancy, toddlerhood, and beyond. Grief and loss are also part of perinatal mental health. Some individuals experience perinatal mood and anxiety disorders during this time, and other individuals may not be suffering a mood or anxiety disorder but benefit from compassionate support during this time of transition.   You may be wondering:

  • Will I ever feel like myself again?

  • I thought this would be the best time of my life, am I doing something wrong?

  • Am I a good mom if I’m sometimes feeling upset or resentment about the things I have lost in becoming a parent?

  • Who knew breastfeeding, sleep-training, and parenting decisions would feel so heavy?

  • How come all the new moms I follow on social media look so perfectly content, competent, and confident? 

  • When will these unsettling thoughts stop so that I can sleep peacefully again? 

  • What do these feelings of ambivalence toward my baby mean? 

  • Will I ever stop feeling so guilty, so anxious, so sad, so alone? 

  • Why am I so irritated with my partner all of a sudden? 

With the birth of a baby, comes the birth of a parent. Just as babyhood is developmental, motherhood and fatherhood are developmental processes too.

Given that 1 in 5 women experience postpartum anxiety and/or depression, you may be experiencing symptoms of perinatal depression or anxiety. It’s important to know that these are treatable conditions. You are not alone. 

You may be struggling with the adjustment to parenthood. We are all susceptible to the negative impact of the myth about the transition into motherhood being one that comes naturally to good mothers. It is imperative that this myth is challenged so that women are encouraged to take care of themselves as a part of their work of mothering. There is no need to manage the role of motherhood perfectly and yet, this expectation exists within many women because it exists within society at large. 

“During and after postpartum depression, both partners often feel alone in their anguish and misunderstood.”

– Karen Kleiman 

I am committed to providing a nurturing, empathetic, and compassionate space for you to navigate the challenges and upheaval that you may be experiencing. 

Through therapy, we can work towards:

  • Integrating your new mother self with your previous self for a more cohesive sense of self

  • Supporting your bond with your pregnancy or baby so that you can experience joy and connection

  • Building your sense of confidence and competence in your new important role

  • Challenging societal messages about perfection in parenthood

  • Managing feelings of anxiety, panic, as well as the unexpected scary thoughts that many new parents experience

  • Identify additional resources that may be helpful in mitigating feelings of loneliness and isolation

  • Work towards gaining the support and encouragement and connection you need from others close to you

I am honoured to work with individual moms and dads, parents-to-be, and hopeful parents at any point during this unique period of time in life.

67% of couples find that their relationship satisfaction deteriorates significantly during the first few years of parenthood so couples therapy is also an option for supporting you in your path towards healing and growth. Please contact me or book your initial appointment online.