Maternal Mental Health

Are you feeling shame or guilt for not experiencing the joy you expected during or after pregnancy? Struggling to hold it all together while dealing with sadness, irritability, or mood swings? Perhaps you find yourself longing for the life you had before your baby arrived. It’s easy to wonder, “If this is the happiest time of my life—why am I so miserable?”

If any of this resonates with you, know that you are not alone. Many new mothers are caught off guard by feelings of sadness, crying episodes, and persistent worries both before and after childbirth. Some feel emotionally numb or ambivalent about being a mom, while others grapple with severe anxiety about being a parent, especially if their own childhood lacked the nurturing they needed.

You might be at the beginning phase of becoming a mom trying to conceive or going through nail-biting process infertility treatments. Therapy can help you with managing these challenges and help you reduce feelings of fear, sadness and inadequacy.

The journey of pregnancy and early motherhood can be overwhelming. In therapy, you’ll find a compassionate space to confront your fears and build your inner strength. Once your baby is born, your concerns might shift and goals become exploring issues related to parenting, communicating for more support from your partner, navigating extended family dynamics or addressing concerns about returning to work. If unresolved issues from your childhood begin to surface, we will help you work through these issues so that you feel empowered to parent with clarity and confidence.

How We Help

As mothers of grown children ourselves, we understand the unique challenges and adjustments that come with motherhood.

As therapists, we utilise several evidence-based approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Somatic Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). CBT helps identify negative thought patterns and replace them with healthier perspectives. Somatic Therapy increases your awareness of how negative emotions manifest in your body, allowing you to process and release feelings of sadness, anxiety, or overwhelm more effectively. ACT encourages embracing your present thoughts and feelings without judgement, guiding you to take meaningful actions that foster joy and fulfilment.

Our goal is to help you regain your balance and develop the necessary tools to thrive in your parenting journey.

The Importance of Addressing Maternal Mental Health Early

It’s essential to address maternal mental health early on, as untreated mental health issues can impact not only the mother but also the well-being of the entire family. Children of mothers who experience mental health struggles during pregnancy or postpartum may experience emotional or behavioral challenges. A strong, healthy bond between mother and child lays the foundation for the child’s emotional development.

By seeking maternal mental health counseling, mothers can find emotional relief and develop the tools needed to manage their mental health while fostering a nurturing and supportive environment for their family.

Are You Experiencing?

Overwhelming Anxiety or Stress: Struggling to manage the demands of motherhood and feeling constantly anxious or overwhelmed?
Postpartum Depression: Feeling persistently sad, hopeless, or disconnected after childbirth?
Fearing that You Are an Inadequate Parent: Struggling with feelings of self-doubt or questioning your ability to parent effectively?
Intrusive Thoughts: Experiencing distressing thoughts or fears about your baby’s safety or your own well-being?
Difficulty Bonding: Finding it hard to connect with your baby or feeling isolated from your support network?
Adjusting to Changes: Struggling with changes in your identity, or communicating with your partner or family members?
Difficulty Navigating a Separation or Divorce: Struggling to handle separation, divorce, or co-parenting responsibilities while prioritizing your child’s needs?

"To struggle is a human experience but it does not have to be a lonely one”.