Pregnancy and Postpartum

Like almost everything else in your life, your body and mind will face significant changes in the weeks and months before and after your baby's birth. While many women experience some mild mood changes during or after the birth of a child, 15 to 20% of women experience more significant symptoms of depression or anxiety. Symptoms, which may include feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or anger, trouble eating or sleeping, difficulty bonding with your baby, panic, upsetting thoughts, or a fear you may hurt yourself or your baby, can appear any time during pregnancy and during the first 12 months after childbirth. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, or even just a general sense of being “out of control” or “going crazy”, a qualified mental health professional can help. Reach out to one of TherapyDen’s pregnancy and postpartum specialists today.

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Meet the specialists

 

I have specialized training in treating women with perinatal and postpartum mood and anxiety disorders. Additionally I am a trained Bringing Baby Home facilitator, a program that helps couples navigate the transition from being a couple to being a family. In my private practice I work with parents at all stages of parenting; from new born to adult children. I have found that each stage of parenting presents its own unique challenges and I have a soft place in my heart for parents and the struggles they go through as they guide their children through life.

— Gwendolyn Nelson-Terry, Marriage & Family Therapist in Berkeley, CA

Becoming a mother is the most difficult and complicated adjustment you will ever experience. Your body and life will never be the same. From the moment you share the news of your pregnancy, anyone and everyone seems to have an opinion, and it feels like you're wearing a t-shirt that says, "Please Advise Me On Caring For My Offspring." Don't try to get through this time alone. Let's talk about creating a plan to make sure you stay mentally healthy even on very little sleep.

— Kayce Hodos, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in , NC
 

Therapy can be a place to figure out how to adjust to parenthood and how to cope with the pressures that come with this new role. It also provides you with a place to get support for what you are going through. I work with men and women who are struggling with this adjustment in a more mild form as well as men and women who are experiencing postpartum mood and anxiety disorders.

— Ginny Kington, Psychologist in Duluth, GA

As a mother of three, I have experienced how difficult it can be to transition to life after having a baby. I have worked with many mothers (and dads!) both professionally and personally to help them overcome the complexities that come with postpartum. Having a baby is life changing and you deserve all the support you can get. As a certified perinatal mental health clinician and a mom, I will walk alongside you as you adjust to life postpartum.

— Eileen O'Neil, Clinical Social Worker in YORKVILLE, IL
 

Kimberly is certified in perinatal mental health; this encompasses the scope of mental health during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Depression, anxiety, OCD and other mood disorders can onset during the perinatal period, not to mention the transitions in the family. Kimberly is passionate about helping families conquer the mental health challenges and transitions that often occur during the perinatal period.

— Kimberly Hansley-Parrish, Licensed Professional Counselor in Dallas, TX

We cannot rush through this transition into parenthood and our society certainly doesn’t help. There are many losses and gains when becoming a parent. We will acknowledge and explore them with grounding and acceptance. You will learn real self-care by asserting your needs and setting healthy boundaries.

— Katie Doyle, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Seattle, WA
 

This time in our lives gives us a lot of "shoulds". You "should" be nothing but happy. You "should" only feel grateful. You "should" not feel sad, or alone, or scared. This puts so much pressure on new moms, moms-to-be, or those struggling. Yet, it can be normal not to feel these "shoulds". There's nothing wrong with you- this can be a hard time, and sometimes our hormones feel like they're in control. Let's work together to make you feel whole again.

— Aidan Johnson, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in ,

With over 10 years of experience as a postpartum doula, I support clients through identity shifts, evolving relationships, and emotional challenges that arise during the postpartum period. I help individuals process emotions, set healthy boundaries, and develop effective coping strategies. Now transitioning into mental health therapy, I bring a holistic, compassionate approach, empowering clients to navigate parenthood’s complexities with confidence and resilience.

— Malia Hudson, Student Therapist in seattle, WA
 

I have a passion for peripartum moms and dads. I co-founded the Pregnancy and Postpartum Health Alliance of Texas (PPHA) in 2010 and have worked diligently to ensure that moms and dads can easily find high-quality, affordable services in the Austin area. I developed and managed the Doula Voucher Program for PPHA, and was inspired to train as a doula . I currently manage the PPHA Psychiatric Voucher program. I worked with Postpartum Support International for 4 years as the Austin Coordinator.

— Beth Thomas, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Austin, TX

I am trained in PPMD's and love to work with parents or expecting parents. Along with this I am also education and work with people who have struggled with infertility, pregnancy loss, abortion, etc. I work hard to create a space that you can talk about your deepest struggles and the funny parenting moments.

— Amanda Wirth, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Brooklyn Park, MN
 

I specialize in supporting individuals during the transformative and often challenging phases of pregnancy and postpartum. Whether you’re navigating perinatal anxiety, depression, or the overwhelming changes that accompany parenthood, I provide compassionate, evidence-based care to help you adjust, heal, and regain a sense of balance. Together, we can work toward building emotional resilience and confidence as you embrace this new chapter.

— Thalia Stevenson, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in Miami Gardens, FL

I have worked with women during different phases of the prenatal to postnatal journey with creating birthing teams inclusive of doulas, midwifes, Certified Clinical Lactationist, and other practitioners/support people for ensuring that not only the pregnancy but the postpartum experience is healthy for both mom and baby. I educate my clients on the neuroscience of the parent-child relationship through our therapy work along with providing mother tools to assist with managing her stress.

— Djuan Short, Clinical Social Worker in Philadelphia, PA

All parts of the perinatal, postpartum and parenting journey are, shall we say, interesting, and sometimes those experiences become much more intense than we ever expected! Let's acknowledge this path can be anytime from considering having a kid through adjusting to parenthood with your third (or more!). So many challenges are found along the way, sometimes needing more support than you readily have available. Whatever your story is, I am prepared to walk alongside you on your perinatal path.

— Joy Walsh, Clinical Social Worker in Glen Ellyn, IL
 

I was in active practice as a labor and delivery nurse for 20 years, from 2000 to 2020. This experience along with my training in clinical psychology has allowed me to understand challenges within the peripartum period from a unique perspective. I can assist with mood disorders, pregnancy loss/grief, infertility, and birth trauma, and I am an advocate for women's healthcare across the board.

— Leigha Ward, Clinical Psychologist in West Lake Hills, TX

We treat Perinatal/Postpartum/Maternal OCD, providing moms-to-be and new moms who are suffering with OCD symptoms effective treatment. We offer treatment for both maternal themes, such as an intense fear of harming or contaminating your infant, as well as any other subtype of OCD during pregnancy and postpartum. Should any OCD symptoms persist after the perinatal period, we continue to provide care to our clients throughout the entirety of their OCD treatment journey.

— North Shore OCD Women's Treatment Center, Ltd. Kathi Fine Abitbol, PhD, Clinical Psychologist in Deerfield, IL
 

I am trained in pregnancy and postpartum mood disorders and provide support to all who are in this stage of life. I spent five years volunteering for Postpartum Support international, working on their warm line for new mothers. I have volunteered as a new parent support group leader for The Program for Early parent Support. I am also a mother to three children, so I understand the demands of motherhood on your life, your family and your relationship.

— Michelle Lechnyr, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Snohomish, WA

In addition to my mental health clinical training and experience, I am a trained birth and postpartum doula. I bring this experience into our session to further support birthing persons during pregnancy and the postpartum period. I specialize in helping those experiencing postpartum depression, anxiety and postpartum rage.

— Fightress Aaron, Licensed Professional Counselor in Montgomery, AL
 

I spent the first part of my career working exclusively with children, which included a large amount of caregiver support, and led me to seek more specialization to support new parents (partners included) during such a vulnerable life chapter. I am certified in Perinatal Mental Health by Postpartum Support International, and have collaborative relationships with various members of the local birthing community (doulas, midwives, lactation consultants).

— Allison Staiger, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Chicago, IL