Normalizing Postpartum Mental Health Challenges
The stigma associated with postpartum mental health often prevents many new parents from seeking the help they need. It’s crucial to normalize postpartum mental health in all its forms to effectively overcome postpartum depression (PPD), postpartum anxiety (PPA), and other prevalent postpartum mental health issues.
Postpartum therapy offers a secure and empathetic space for new parents to openly talk about and normalize the intense and sometimes surprising emotional experiences that come with parenthood.
Ditch the Shame Around Postpartum Mental Health
It’s common to feel a mix of emotions after childbirth, but when these feelings intensify or lead to distress, it’s important to have a trusted person to talk to. In therapy for postpartum depression & anxiety, new mom’s are encouraged to freely express their feelings, including tackling any feelings of shame that might arise from sharing their experiences.
Acknowledging and validating these emotions are the first steps in the healing process from postpartum depression.
5 Common Postpartum Mental Health Challenges
Understanding the most common challenges is a positive first step towards healing. Here are the top five postpartum mental health issues, complete with definitions, examples, and common treatment strategies.
Postpartum Depression (PPD)
Postpartum Anxiety (PPA)
Definition: A severe form of clinical depression related to pregnancy and childbirth.
Example: A new mother feeling overwhelming sadness, loss of interest in activities, and difficulty bonding with her baby.
Common Treatments: Therapy often includes counseling, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and sometimes medication. Support groups and lifestyle changes are also beneficial.
Definition: Intense feelings of worry, stress, and fear that occur after childbirth.
Example: A parent excessively worrying about the baby’s health or feeling constant anxiety about parenting skills.
Common Treatments: Treatment typically involves therapy sessions focusing on anxiety management techniques, such as relaxation exercises and mindfulness. Medication may also be prescribed.
Postpartum Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (PPOCD)
Postpartum PTSD/ Acute Stress REaction
Definition: A form of OCD where compulsive behaviors and obsessive thoughts focus on the baby’s well-being.
Example: A parent repeatedly checking if the baby is breathing or having intrusive thoughts about harming the baby, despite not wanting to.
Common Treatments: Therapy for PPOCD includes exposure and response prevention (ERP) and CBT. Medication like SSRIs may also be used.
Definition: A type of PTSD triggered by traumatic experiences during childbirth or immediately after.
Example: A mother experiencing flashbacks, nightmares, or severe anxiety stemming from a difficult delivery.
Common Treatments: Treatment often involves trauma-focused CBT, EMDR, and support groups.
Postpartum Psychosis
Definition: A rare but severe mental illness that can occur after childbirth, characterized by hallucinations, delusions, and confusion.
Example: A new mother experiencing hallucinations or delusional thinking, often involving harm to herself or her baby.
Common Treatments: Postpartum psychosis requires immediate care from a medical or psychiatric care provider who can assess what type of treatment is needed. As scary as this may sound, it’s far better to have a professional assess the needs than feel unsure, or even unsafe about you or your loved ones mental state. Treatment may include hospitalization, psychiatric medication such as antipsychotics or mood stabilizers as well as therapy services for the individual and family.
Assessing for postpartum mental health challenges
Many women struggle with self-assessment after childbirth due to the numerous changes that take place in such a short period of time. Altered sleep patterns, fluctuating hormones, physical recovery, and shifting roles can make everything feel unbalanced. Feeling this way is normal, and it’s perfectly okay to question how ‘normal’ these new feelings are.
This is where screening tools for postpartum depression and anxiety become invaluable. They can be utilized independently or with the assistance of your primary care provider (PCP) or therapist.
Reliable screening tools, such as the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), are designed to help you or a loved one identify symptoms of postpartum mental health issues. These tools are an integral part of therapy for postpartum, aiding in normalizing conversations about mental health in postpartum care. Early identification of symptoms allows therapists to develop tailored treatment plans, addressing your unique needs and facilitating a quicker path to recovery.
Recognizing Postpartum Depression in Men
Postpartum depression (PPD) and postpartum anxiety (PPA) are not conditions exclusive to women; new fathers can also experience these challenges following the birth of their child. Unfortunately, societal stereotypes can act as barriers, preventing men from openly discussing their struggles or seeking assistance. Therapy for postpartum depression and anxiety in men aims to shift this narrative, emphasizing the importance of men seeking help too. By specifically addressing the unique mental health challenges that men face during the postpartum period, therapy plays a crucial role in normalizing and supporting men’s mental health needs.
Community & Group Therapy
for Postpartum Mental Health
Healing from postpartum depression (PPD) and postpartum anxiety (PPA) is a path best traveled with support. Therapy plays a pivotal role in fostering this support, encouraging the development of networks through group therapy sessions and connections with postpartum support groups. Sharing your journey with others who have similar experiences can be incredibly validating and empowering. It serves as a powerful reminder that you are not alone in this. Engaging in these support networks creates a sense of community and belonging, which is instrumental in the recovery process from PPD and PPA.
Get Therapy for Postpartum Mental Health Challenges Today
Looking for therapy for postpartum depression or anxiety? I encourage you to reach out to us for help, or for more resources to find the best support for you. Whether that be individual, group, or couples therapy, the right help is out there. Remember, you’re not expected to go through this alone. Your mental health is a crucial part of you and your families overall wellness, and postpartum therapy can make the adjustment into parenthood a fulfilling & joyful one.
FAQ about online therapy in New Jersey
How do I get started as a new client?
New Clients can reach out to us directly via call, text or email here:
What is your cancellation policy?
We ask that clients provide at least 24 hours notice in the event that they need to cancel to avoid the 50% cancellation fee. we understand that life happens and do our best to be flexible & reschedule.
Does my insurance cover my visits?
We provide”Courtesy Billing” for clients who are using the Out-of-network insurance benefits.
Our Insurance Page shares a small blurb about Why We Left Insurance Panels
Do you offer traditional talk therapy?
of course! though we have some unconventional therapy approaches, we are rooted in evidenced based practices. Talk therapy is a major player in the therapy room! See What we Treat and Integrative Services for more information
Is Online Therapy As Effective As In-Person Therapy?
Online therapy is essentially face-to-face counseling, just conducted remotely. Studies show that teletherapy is as effective as traditional counseling. Professional organizations and state governments recognize its benefits and have set regulations for it. However, like any therapy, its success in achieving your goals isn’t guaranteed. It’s important to discuss with your therapist whether teletherapy is working for you.
Can I Change Therapists If I'm Not Happy?
Yes, you can switch therapists to another provider within the practice, or we can provide you a referral if preferred. We want to ensure that your time and effort are well spent, and that you are getting the relief you need, that’s why we work collaboratively with each other in the practice, as well as outside therapists who we know and trust.
How Do I Know If Therapy Is Helping?
You should feel like you’re making progress. Signs it’s working include:
Feeling comfortable talking to your therapist
Your therapist respects boundaries
You’re moving towards your goals
You feel listened to
You’re doing better in life
Your self-esteem is getting better
Is Online Therapy Easy to Use for Non-Tech-Savvy People?
Yes, it’s pretty simple to access sessions. You’ll need basic internet skills, such as opening and visiting the patient link sent to you via email. It’s similar to video chatting like Facetime or Zoom. We can also walk you through it on the phone the first time to ensure a strong connection
What Questions Should I Ask My New Therapist?
Feel free to ask anything. Some good questions are:
- How often will we meet?
- What do you specialize in?
- What experience do you have with my issue?
- What outcomes can I expect?
- How will I know I’m progressing?
- How long do you usually work with clients?
- How will we set my treatment goals?
How Should I Prepare for My First Session?
Showing up is all that you need to do! But if you really want to get the most out of session, it could help to take some time to think about what you want from therapy. It helps to write down your goals, questions you have or things that you feel are important to share.
What is the difference between associate therapists & fully licensed therapists?
Our Qualifications:
Our founder, Rebecca Sidoti, is a highly qualified, state-licensed therapist and supervisor with extensive training in anxiety related disorders and innovative treatment such as Ketamine Therapy. Mind by Design Counseling adheres to standards set by the our governing counseling boards.
To see each providers credentials, training and licenses, visit our “Meet the Therapists” Page to learn more.
- LAC/LSW are therapists who may practice clinical work under the supervision of a fully licensed therapist.
- LPC/LCSW are therapists who have completed the necessary clinical hours post-graduation under supervision and can practice clinical work independently.
What Geographic Areas Are Served?
Currently, we serve clients in New Jersey and are expanding to other states as telehealth laws evolve. While telehealth offers the convenience of attending sessions from anywhere, state laws require clients to be in-state during their session.
Is Virtual Counseling Suitable for Everyone?
Online therapy might not be as effective for individuals with chronic suicidal thoughts, severe trauma, significant mental health history, or those recently in intensive care. Such cases often benefit more from traditional, in-person counseling. We’ll help you decide if our online services are right for you during your intake and evaluation.
What Equipment is Needed for Online Therapy?
To join a session, log in using the credentials we provide. No downloads are needed. Our platform, compatible with both individual and group sessions, requires:
A computer or mobile device with a webcam and internet access.
We’ll help you test your setup before your first appointment to ensure a reliable connection. iOS users should use the Safari browser for mobile and tablet sessions.
What Questions Will Therapists Ask Me?
It depends on your goals. Expect questions about your thoughts, feelings, relationships, work, school, and health. They’ll ask to understand your therapy goals.
How Do You Keep Client Information Secure?
Security and Confidentiality of Sessions:
Your privacy is crucial to us. We use TherapyNotes, a HIPAA-compliant platform, ensuring secure and confidential teletherapy sessions. This platform’s security features include encrypted video connections, secure data transfers, and encrypted databases, ensuring your information is safe at all times.
What is VRT used for?
we use VRT to support Exposure Therapy, a long standing traditional therapy modality to treat phobias, anxiety and stress. we send a headset directly to your home so you can access VRT from anywhere.
VRT not only helps with exposure therapy for phobias, but is great for ADHD, mindfulness, PTSD and social anxiety.