What To Expect in Counseling for Mothers
- Are you finding the excessive worry for your child's safety to overwhelm you?
- Do you feel guilt for daily experiences, even when it's not your fault?
- Do you find it hard to just enjoy being present with your children?
- Do you find that you can never seem to make time for you?
- Are you feeling so tired that even getting out of bed is too much?
For moms, it can be upsetting and frightening to have feelings about motherhood that don’t seem “right.” These feelings make us feel shameful, which creates a barrier to asking for help. According to Postpartum Support International, while many parents 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 can appear any time during pregnancy and the first 12 months after childbirth. [1]
For some women, a morning run, a healthy diet, and receiving help and support from family and friends are sufficient enough to get through the initial adjustment period. For others, talking to a therapist who specializes in dealing with motherhood issues can be comforting, relieving, and enlightening.
Therapists who have extensive education and training in postpartum disorders understand that hormone changes, personal and family history, and social support are all vital factors in understanding and alleviating postpartum symptoms.
Common postpartum symptoms include:
- Feeling overwhelmed and wondering if you should have become a mother in the first place
- Feeling guilty due to high self-expectations
- Not feeling “bonded” with the baby
- Your thoughts are racing and you can’t quiet your mind
- Feeling empty and numb as if you’re just going through the motions
- Lack of focus and concentration
- Being afraid that if you reach out for help, others will judge your inabilities
- Thoughts of running away or leaving your baby behind
- Being constantly in a state of worry
Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorders:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Postpartum Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Postpartum PTSD
- Bipolar Mood Disorders
- Postpartum Psychosis
If one or more of the above symptoms resonates with you, we invite you to contact us today for a free consultation. Together, we’ll find the underlying issues that make you feel disconnected from your baby and create a strategy for moving forward. Contact us today to see how we can help!