You’re Not Alone:
Specialized Maternal Mental Health Care
Bringing a new child into your life—whether through birth, adoption, or other means—can be both joyful and overwhelming. Postpartum depression is a real and common experience that affects people of all genders, backgrounds, and family structures. You might feel sadness, anxiety, irritability, or disconnection from yourself or your baby—and that doesn’t mean you’re failing.
Our postpartum depression therapy offers a compassionate, nonjudgmental space for all parents and caregivers to process emotions, regain stability, and feel supported. Whether you’re a new mom, dad, partner, or non-birthing parent, our experienced therapists are here to walk beside you on the path toward healing and connection.
Treatment
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a highly effective treatment for postpartum depression and anxiety. It is typically short-term, lasting around 12–16 sessions, and focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Through CBT, you can learn to recognize and manage triggers for depression or anxiety, and challenge automatic negative thoughts. You’ll also develop healthier ways of thinking and responding to stressful situations.
CBT often includes behavioral activation, which encourages you to engage in activities that bring joy or structure—like exercise, social outings, or simply getting out of the house. Therapists may also help you explore options for additional support with baby care or household responsibilities. In some cases, CBT may involve your partner to improve communication and help you express your needs more effectively.
A specific form of postpartum anxiety is postpartum obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), which involves intrusive, unwanted, and distressing thoughts or images. These may include fears of harm coming to your baby or even thoughts of harming your baby yourself. As a result, you might find yourself repeatedly checking on your baby or avoiding being alone with them. CBT can help you manage and overcome these symptoms. Research shows that women with perinatal depression who undergo CBT experience a significant reduction in symptoms and are less likely to have a future depressive episode compared to those who receive no treatment.
In addition to CBT, other treatment options include support groups—either online or in person—and antidepressant medications, many of which are safe for breastfeeding mothers. Around one-third of women who engage in CBT recover from postpartum depression and anxiety.
Who is affected by postpartum depression?
Postpartum depression is common. As many as 75% of women experience baby blues after delivery. Up to 15% of these individuals will develop postpartum depression. One in 1,000 women develop postpartum psychosis.
Baby Blues
When it starts: Usually begins 2–3 days after birth
How long it lasts: Up to 10–14 days
Common symptoms:
- Mood swings
- Feeling tearful or crying for no clear reason
- Feeling overwhelmed
- Irritability or anxiety
- Trouble sleeping
- Reduced concentration
- Mild appetite changes
- Severity: Mild and temporary; doesn’t interfere significantly with your ability to function or bond with your baby
Postpartum Depression (PPD)
When it starts: Can begin within the first few weeks after delivery but may develop any time within the first year
How long it lasts: Weeks or months without treatment
Common symptoms:
- Persistent sadness, hopelessness, or emptiness
- Excessive crying or emotional numbness
- Severe mood swings
- Withdrawal from family or friends
- Difficulty bonding with your baby
- Intense irritability or anger
- Loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy
- Fatigue or loss of energy
- Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
- Appetite changes (not eating or overeating)
- Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby (seek help immediately)
When to Talk to a Healthcare Provider
You should reach out anytime you:
- Feel your symptoms are lasting longer than 2 weeks
- Notice your emotions are getting worse, not better
- Are struggling to care for yourself or your baby
- Have scary or intrusive thoughts
Final Thought
It’s not always easy to tell the difference between baby blues and PPD — and you don’t have to figure it out alone.
Talking to your provider is a healthy, proactive step, even if you’re not sure how serious your symptoms are.