Postpartum Counseling 

Our maternal mental health team is made up of therapists who have undergone advanced training in postpartum topics and traumatic birth experiences. We know that the transition to motherhood is complex, and it can bring up a range of emotions, thoughts, and challenges that require specialized care. That’s why each therapist at Marble Wellness is equipped with the knowledge and tools to address your unique needs as a mother.

The first step in your journey with us is making sure you’re paired with the therapist who is the best fit for you. We take great care in this process because we know how important it is to feel comfortable and understood. Once you’re paired with your therapist, we conduct a thorough assessment to get a full picture of who you are—not just as a mother, but as a whole person. We explore your pregnancy, labor, delivery, and postpartum experience, and also take a deep dive into your life leading up to this point. Understanding your story helps us tailor our approach to best support your journey.

At Marble Wellness, we believe in working together to set goals that resonate with you. Therapy isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach, especially when it comes to something as personal as motherhood. After your assessment, we collaborate with you to identify the areas where you want to see change, growth, or healing. From there, we craft a therapy plan that’s as dynamic and adaptable as motherhood itself.

We draw from a variety of therapeutic techniques to help you reach your goals. Whether it’s Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness practices, EMDR therapy, or other evidence-based methods, we use our extensive training and experience to guide you through the process. And because we know that healing and growth don’t just happen in the therapy room, we sometimes take therapy outside—to the park, where the environment itself can play a role in your journey. This “park therapy” approach can be a refreshing and grounding way to connect with yourself and your emotions.

Motherhood isn’t something you have to navigate alone, and sometimes, therapy is most effective when it includes those closest to you. If it’s appropriate and you’re comfortable with it, we may involve your partner in some sessions. This can help with specific interventions and ensure that your support system is aligned with your therapy goals.

The Marble Wellness approach is all about empowerment. We’re here to help you regain your footing, build confidence, and feel more in control of your life as a mom. Our therapists are committed to walking alongside you, offering the support and guidance you need to navigate the complexities of motherhood. Whether you’re dealing with postpartum depression, anxiety, or just the overwhelming demands of being a mom, our tailored approach ensures that you’re not just surviving—you’re thriving.

Having postpartum depression can feel like you’re trapped in a fog of sadness and hopelessness. It might seem like there’s no way out and that things will never get better. You may feel isolated, even though you’re surrounded by people. Everyday tasks can feel overwhelming, and you might struggle to find joy or motivation. This intense emotional burden can make it hard to care for your baby, yourself, or to engage in daily activities.

Postpartum depression is quite common. It affects approximately 1 in 5 new mothers (and it’s actually probably even more common than that). This means that you’re not alone, and there are many others who understand what you’re going through. The prevalence of postpartum depression highlights the importance of seeking support and treatment.

Managing postpartum depression often involves a combination of strategies, such as:

• Build a Support Network: Leaning on family and friends for emotional and practical support can help ease the burden and provide additional help with baby care and household tasks.
• Seek Professional Help: Consulting with a healthcare provider or mental health professional is crucial. They can offer a diagnosis, support, and treatment options. 
• Medication: In some cases, antidepressants may be prescribed to help manage symptoms. Your healthcare provider can discuss the options that are safe for breastfeeding mothers.
• Therapy: Therapy is a key component in managing postpartum depression. Techniques such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can help you challenge and change negative thought patterns and improve coping strategies.
• Support Groups: Joining a support group for new mothers can provide a sense of community and understanding. Sharing experiences with others who have similar struggles can be validating and comforting.
• Self-Care: Prioritizing self-care is important. This includes getting adequate rest, eating nutritious foods, and finding time for relaxation and activities that you enjoy.

Therapy is an effective way to address postpartum depression. Here’s how it can help:

• Identifying and Challenging Negative Thoughts: Therapy helps you recognize and change negative thought patterns that contribute to your depression. This can help you develop a more balanced perspective and improve your mood.
• Developing Coping Skills: A therapist can teach you coping strategies to manage stress, anxiety, and negative emotions, making it easier to handle the daily challenges of motherhood.
• Providing a Safe Space: Therapy offers a confidential and non-judgmental space where you can express your feelings, fears, and concerns. This can be a relief when you’re feeling overwhelmed and isolated.
• Setting and Achieving Goals: Together with your therapist, you can set realistic and achievable goals to help you feel more in control and make progress towards feeling better.

Yes, therapy is highly effective for treating postpartum depression. Research shows that therapy, particularly Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), is a proven method for reducing symptoms and improving overall well-being. Therapy not only helps in managing the immediate symptoms but also provides long-term strategies for coping with future challenges.

Panic attacks can be one of the most distressing symptoms of postpartum anxiety. They often come on suddenly and can include symptoms like a racing heart, shortness of breath, dizziness, sweating, and a feeling of losing control. The good news is that with the right treatment and strategies, it is possible to reduce the frequency and intensity of panic attacks, and in many cases, eliminate them altogether.
Effective treatments for panic attacks often include:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT helps you identify and challenge the thoughts and beliefs that trigger panic attacks. Through this therapy, you can learn to manage your anxiety and reduce the occurrence of panic attacks.
• Relaxation Techniques: Practices like deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and mindfulness meditation can help calm your nervous system and prevent panic attacks from escalating.
• Medication: In some cases, your healthcare provider may prescribe medication to help manage anxiety and prevent panic attacks. This can be particularly helpful if your symptoms are severe or not responding to other treatments.

The duration of postpartum anxiety varies from person to person. Some women experience relief within a few months, especially with treatment and support. For others, the anxiety may persist for longer, particularly if it is left untreated. Early intervention can make a significant difference in the severity and duration of postpartum anxiety.

Without treatment, postpartum anxiety can last for several months or even longer. However, with the right support, many mothers find that their symptoms improve within a few months of starting treatment.

There are several strategies you can use to manage postpartum anxiety symptoms:

• Prioritize Self-Care: Taking care of your physical and emotional health is crucial. This includes getting enough rest, eating well, staying hydrated, and finding time for activities that bring you joy and relaxation.
• Practice Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques: Techniques like deep breathing, meditation, and progressive muscle relaxation can help calm your mind and reduce anxiety. Even a few minutes of mindfulness practice each day can make a big difference.
• Set Realistic Expectations: It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when you’re trying to do it all. Give yourself permission to let go of unrealistic expectations and focus on what’s most important.
• Build a Support System: Don’t hesitate to lean on friends, family, or support groups. Sharing your feelings with others who understand can provide relief and reduce feelings of isolation.
• Limit Stimulants: Reducing or eliminating caffeine, sugar, and other stimulants can help decrease anxiety symptoms.
• Stay Physically Active: Gentle exercise, like walking or yoga, can help reduce anxiety by releasing endorphins and providing a healthy outlet for stress.

Therapy is a highly effective way to manage postpartum anxiety. Here’s how it can help:

• Identifying Triggers: Therapy can help you identify the specific thoughts, situations, or behaviors that trigger your anxiety. Understanding these triggers is the first step in managing them.
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT is the most effective form of therapy for anxiety. It involves learning how to challenge and change negative thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to anxiety. For example, if you have an irrational fear about your baby’s health, CBT can help you reframe those thoughts into more balanced, realistic ones.
• Developing Coping Strategies: Therapy can equip you with practical tools and coping strategies to manage anxiety in the moment. This might include breathing exercises, mindfulness practices, or problem-solving techniques.
• Providing Emotional Support: Therapy offers a safe space to talk about your fears, worries, and frustrations. Having a compassionate, non-judgmental listener can be incredibly validating and can help reduce the burden of anxiety.
• Addressing Underlying Issues: Sometimes, postpartum anxiety can be linked to other issues, such as past trauma, perfectionism, or relationship challenges. Therapy can help you explore and address these underlying issues, leading to longer-lasting relief.

Postpartum anxiety and postpartum OCD can share some similarities, such as excessive worry and fear for the baby’s safety, but they are distinct conditions:

• Postpartum Anxiety: This condition involves constant and overwhelming worry about the baby’s health, well-being, and safety. The anxiety can be generalized, meaning the mother worries about many different things, or it can be more focused, such as intense fear about SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) or the baby’s development. However, these worries are not typically accompanied by the intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors seen in OCD.
• Postpartum OCD: While postpartum anxiety involves excessive worry, postpartum OCD specifically includes intrusive, distressing thoughts that are often irrational or extreme, along with compulsive behaviors aimed at neutralizing these thoughts. For example, a mother with postpartum OCD might have a recurring, unwanted thought of accidentally harming her baby and then feel compelled to repeatedly check on the baby or avoid situations that trigger the fear.

In short, postpartum anxiety is more about generalized worry, while postpartum OCD involves specific, persistent, and intrusive thoughts paired with compulsive behaviors.

Postpartum OCD is relatively common, though less so than other postpartum mood disorders like postpartum depression. It is estimated to affect between 2% to 5% of new mothers. This makes it more prevalent than postpartum psychosis but less common than postpartum depression and anxiety.

The duration of postpartum OCD can vary. Without treatment, symptoms may persist for months or even longer. However, with appropriate treatment, many women experience significant improvement within a few months. Some may continue to have mild symptoms that require ongoing management, while others may fully recover. Early intervention is key to reducing the severity and duration of the disorder.

Yes, therapy can be highly effective in treating postpartum OCD. Here’s how:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT is the most commonly used and effective treatment for OCD. It helps mothers identify and challenge their obsessive thoughts and gradually reduce the compulsive behaviors that follow. A specific form of CBT called Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is particularly effective for OCD. ERP involves gradually exposing the mother to her fears without allowing her to engage in compulsive behavior, helping her learn that the feared outcome is unlikely and that she can tolerate the anxiety without performing the compulsion.
• Medication: In some cases, medication such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may be prescribed alongside therapy to help manage symptoms. Medication can be particularly helpful for mothers whose symptoms are severe or who have not responded fully to therapy alone.
• Supportive Counseling: Beyond CBT, supportive counseling can provide a safe space for mothers to express their fears, reduce feelings of isolation, and receive validation for their experiences. Group therapy or support groups for mothers with postpartum OCD can also be beneficial.
• Education and Psychoeducation: Therapy can help mothers and their families understand postpartum OCD, reduce stigma, and improve support systems. Understanding that intrusive thoughts are a symptom of OCD and not a reflection of the mother’s desires or intentions is often a critical part of recovery.

The symptoms of postpartum psychosis are intense and can include:

• Delusions: These are false beliefs that are not based in reality. A mother might believe things that are clearly not true, such as thinking her baby is in danger when they are not, or that she has special powers or a divine mission.
• Hallucinations: A mother may hear, see, or feel things that are not real. For example, she might hear voices telling her to harm herself or her baby, or see things that others do not.
• Extreme Mood Swings: Rapid changes in mood, from euphoria to deep depression, can occur. These mood swings are much more severe than typical postpartum blues or even postpartum depression.
• Agitation and Restlessness: A mother may feel extremely restless or unable to sit still. She might pace, fidget, or appear constantly on edge.
• Confusion and Disorientation: She might be confused about where she is, what time it is, or even who she is. This disorientation can make it difficult for her to function normally.
• Paranoia: She may feel suspicious of those around her, believing that people are plotting against her or that she is being watched or followed.
• Suicidal Thoughts or Behaviors: In severe cases, a mother might have thoughts of harming herself or feel that her baby would be better off without her.
• Homicidal Thoughts or Behaviors: Some mothers may have thoughts of harming their baby. This is one of the most serious symptoms and requires immediate intervention.

Postpartum psychosis is rare, affecting approximately 1 to 2 out of every 1,000 women who give birth. However, the risk is higher for women who have a personal or family history of bipolar disorder or previous episodes of psychosis. Other risk factors include a history of postpartum psychosis in a previous pregnancy or a history of severe mental illness.

A mother experiencing symptoms of postpartum psychosis should reach out for help immediately. Because this condition can escalate quickly and lead to dangerous behaviors, it’s crucial to seek medical attention as soon as possible. If you or someone you know is showing signs of postpartum psychosis, contact a healthcare provider, emergency services, or go to the nearest emergency room right away.

Family members and partners should also be vigilant; often, the person experiencing postpartum psychosis may not recognize that they are unwell, making it essential for loved ones to intervene.

Treatment for postpartum psychosis typically involves a combination of medication and therapy. Therapy can be an important part of the recovery process, providing support and helping the mother make sense of her experience. Here’s how therapy can help:

• Stabilization: Initially, therapy may focus on helping the mother stabilize her condition, often in conjunction with medication. Hospitalization may be necessary in severe cases to ensure the safety of the mother and baby.
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Once the acute phase has passed, CBT can help the mother challenge and change the distorted thoughts and beliefs she experienced during psychosis. This therapy can also address any lingering depression or anxiety.
• Psychoeducation: Therapy can provide education about postpartum psychosis, helping the mother and her family understand the condition, its triggers, and how to prevent future episodes.
• Supportive Counseling: Emotional support is crucial during recovery. Therapy offers a safe space for the mother to process her feelings, grieve any losses related to her experience, and rebuild her confidence as a parent.
• Family Therapy: Family therapy can be beneficial in helping partners and other family members understand what happened, improving communication, and rebuilding trust and support within the family unit.

The duration of postpartum psychosis can vary. With prompt treatment, many women begin to see improvement within a few weeks, but full recovery may take several months or longer. Some women may continue to experience mood disturbances, such as depression or anxiety, after the acute psychotic symptoms have resolved. Long-term follow-up care is often necessary to monitor for any recurring symptoms and to provide ongoing support.

A traumatic birth experience can have a profound impact on a mother’s mental health. Here are some ways it can interfere:

• Postpartum Depression and Anxiety: A traumatic birth can increase the risk of developing postpartum depression or anxiety. The mother might feel overwhelmed by intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, or a sense of dread, making it difficult to enjoy the early days with her baby.
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Some mothers may develop PTSD after a traumatic birth, experiencing symptoms such as nightmares, avoidance of reminders of the birth, hypervigilance, and a sense of detachment from reality.
• Guilt and Shame: Many mothers struggle with feelings of guilt or shame after a traumatic birth, especially if the experience didn’t match their expectations or if they feel responsible for what happened. This can lead to a sense of failure or inadequacy as a mother.
• Fear of Future Births: The trauma can create intense fear or anxiety about future pregnancies or births. Some mothers might avoid having more children because of the fear of reliving the trauma.

Beyond mental health, a traumatic birth experience can interfere with other aspects of a mother’s life:

• Bonding with the Baby: Trauma can make it difficult for a mother to bond with her newborn. She might feel emotionally distant or disconnected, which can strain the early parent-child relationship.
• Breastfeeding: Some mothers find that trauma interferes with their ability to breastfeed, either due to physical complications from the birth or emotional difficulties. This can lead to feelings of frustration or inadequacy.
• Relationships with Partner or Family: A traumatic birth can strain relationships, especially if the mother feels that her partner or family doesn’t understand what she went through. Communication may break down, leading to feelings of isolation or resentment.
• Physical Recovery: The physical impact of a traumatic birth, such as ongoing pain or complications from surgery, can prolong recovery and affect the mother’s ability to care for her baby or herself.

Therapy can be an essential part of healing after a traumatic birth. Here’s how it can help:

• Processing the Trauma: Therapy provides a safe space for the mother to talk about her birth experience, process what happened, and make sense of her feelings. Through this, she can begin to heal from the emotional wounds.
• Addressing PTSD Symptoms: If the mother is experiencing PTSD, therapy can help her manage symptoms like flashbacks, anxiety, and avoidance. Techniques like Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) or Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) can be particularly effective.
• Rebuilding Confidence: Therapy can help the mother rebuild her confidence as a parent. By exploring and challenging feelings of guilt or inadequacy, she can begin to reclaim her sense of self-worth and competence as a mother.
• Improving Bonding: Therapy can support the mother in strengthening her bond with her baby. This might involve addressing any emotional barriers to bonding, learning new ways to connect with her child, or simply gaining reassurance and guidance on how to nurture the relationship.
• Navigating Relationships: Therapy can also help repair strained relationships with partners or family members. Couples therapy or family therapy can improve communication, foster understanding, and rebuild trust.
• Preparing for Future Births: If the mother is considering having more children, therapy can help her work through fears and anxieties about future pregnancies and births. By developing coping strategies and creating a birth plan that addresses her concerns, she can approach future births with greater confidence and less fear.