Therapy for Moms in Houston, TX
Postpartum treatment can offer you a safe space to express your emotions
“I thought postpartum depression meant you were sobbing every single day and incapable of looking after a child. But there are different shades of it and depths of it, which is why I think it's so important for women to talk about. It was a trying time. I felt like a failure."
— Gwyneth Paltrow
Not everyone’s journey is the same.
The moment you get the news that you are going to be a parent, everything changes. For some, the changes feel exciting and you feel a renewed sense of purpose. For others, the experience is anxiety provoking and you immediately think of all of the scary things that can happen. There are many transitions that you are going through all at once and a never-ending stream of decisions to be made. Epidural or natural delivery. Breastmilk vs formula. Following a schedule vs. winging it. Which sleep training method is the best for our family? Which car seat do I buy?
The decisions can seem endless. And once a decision is made, it can be difficult to feel confident in that decision. You may feel overwhelming guilt or you may feel judgement from others. You may also be experiencing changes in your relationship with your partner. How do I nurture the relationship with my partner, focus on my baby, and do things for myself? These are all valid concerns. The truth is that navigating this new transition is HARD and it takes time. You are probably doing it sleep deprived and haven’t finished a hot cup of coffee all week.
Baby Blues vs Postpartum Depression
Many of you may be wondering, is what I am feeling normal? Most new moms experience some symptoms of “baby blues” between birth and about two weeks post birth. You might feel overwhelmed, tearful, and irritable. Usually these symptoms are short term and resolve themselves. If the symptoms are more severe or longer lasting, you may be experiencing postpartum depression or postpartum anxiety.
Up to 20% of mothers develop postpartum mood disorders within the first year of giving birth. Make no mistake, mommas. This is a medical issue and there is no shame in admitting that you need some support.
What are common symptoms of postpartum mood disorders?
Difficulty bonding with your baby or feeling disconnected from your baby
Tearfulness
Withdrawing from family and friends
Feelings of anger or irritability
Feelings of shame, guilt or inadequacy
Disinterested in doing things that you used to enjoy
Inability to sleep (and not because you’re waking up to feed your baby)
Loss of appetite
Hopelessness
Recurrent thoughts that you can’t stop
Feeling worried something bad will happen and not being able to talk yourself out of it
If you think you may be suffering from postpartum depression or postpartum anxiety, counseling can help you learn how to manage your symptoms and bond with your baby.
Pregnancy and childbirth affect our partners and relationships, too.
The transition into parenthood can be challenging for all parties involved. Partners, we did not forget about you! You are in the thick of it. You may be at a loss at how to support your partner. Or you may be feeling unsupported yourselves. Things are changing and it can be hard to cope. Counseling can be a safe place where you can discuss and adjust to this overwhelming transition in your family.
If pregnancy and childbirth is affecting both parents, it is only normal that it is affecting the relationship. Growing a family changes every aspect of your life together. Both of you are trying to navigate these changes. Many times, you are just trying to survive. You are avoiding conflicts because you are literally exhausted. Or you may be addressing them while your tank is on empty, which is never good for anyone. You may be feeling unsure of your role in the relationship or feeling like you cannot do anything right. This may lead to resentment or withdrawing from the relationship.
What does treatment for postpartum depression and anxiety look like?
It is hard to seek out treatment. Many parents feel that they “should” be able to get through this on their own. That is simply not the case. As humans, we are built for connection and are created to need support from one other. It is a strength to know you need help and ask for it.
Our primary treatment for postpartum depression and anxiety is much like our treatment for traditional depression and anxiety, however, it is modified for issues surrounding parenthood. I primarily incorporate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Compassion-Focused Therapy and mindfulness into treatment for postpartum mood disorders. We spend much of our time evaluating the thoughts that are keeping you down and work together create more realistic expectations for you in your role as a parent. We also focus heavily on cultivating self-compassion and improving resilience skills.
The transition into parenthood is full of ups and downs. You do not have to continue to suffer in silence. If you feel individual counseling or couples counseling may be helpful, please contact me for a complimentary consultation.
“In my case, I started having dark thoughts, obsessing about the dangers of the world and the vulnerability of my own children. All this was compounded by the severe sleep deprivation from having two babies just 16 months apart. It was excruciating and got better only once I became open to therapy."
— Bekah Martinez