Therapy for Perinatal Mental Health
Talk honestly about how you’re really doing
Ease anxiety, overwhelm, and intrusive thoughts
Process your birth experience—no matter how it went
Strengthen your emotional connection with yourself and your baby
Learn tools to manage stress and feel more like you again
You don’t have to be “fine” just because you had a baby.
What Is Perinatal Mental Health?
You don’t have to be “fine” just because you had a baby. Whether you’re expecting, newly postpartum, or years into parenting, maternal mental health matters at every stage.
Perinatal mental health refers to your emotional well-being during pregnancy and the year after birth. It includes how you’re adjusting to parenthood, managing changes in your identity, coping with stress, and processing emotions tied to pregnancy and postpartum.
At Matrescence Therapy, we support the full spectrum of perinatal mood disorders (PMADs) with care, compassion, and no judgment.
Let’s talk about how you’re really doing—therapy can help you feel more supported, less alone, and more like yourself again.
What’s the difference between postpartum and perinatal mental health?
Perinatal mental health covers the emotional well-being of parents during pregnancy and the first year after birth. It includes prenatal anxiety, depression, OCD, PTSD, and other perinatal mood disorders (PMADs).
Postpartum mental health specifically refers to what happens after birth. The most well-known is postpartum depression, but many parents also experience postpartum anxiety, intrusive thoughts, or trauma after delivery.
So, postpartum is one part of perinatal. Focusing on perinatal mental health ensures you get support before, during, and after pregnancy.
What mental health issues are common during pregnancy?
It’s normal for pregnancy to bring more than just physical changes—it can affect your emotional health too. Some of the most common mental health concerns include:
-
Prenatal anxiety: constant “what if” worries or racing thoughts
-
Depression during pregnancy: sadness, guilt, or loss of interest in daily life
-
OCD symptoms: intrusive, repetitive thoughts and compulsions that feel hard to control
-
PTSD: especially for those with a history of trauma, medical anxiety, or pregnancy loss
These are all types of perinatal mood disorders (PMADs), and they’re highly treatable with the right care. Therapy offers emotional support during pregnancy so you don’t have to face these struggles alone.
Counseling can help you:
-
Learn calming tools to manage racing thoughts and fears
-
Understand the difference between “normal worry” and anxiety that feels overwhelming
-
Process stress around work, relationships, or physical changes
-
Build resilience and self-compassion while preparing for parenthood
This kind of perinatal counseling supports your mental health now and lays a foundation for postpartum well-being later.
Do you work with both parents?
Yes. While maternal mental health is at the heart of our work, we know that partners are affected too. Fathers, co-parents, and non-birthing partners can also experience prenatal anxiety, postpartum depression, or overwhelm during the transition to parenthood.
This is more than “baby blues”—and you’re not alone.
Common Conditions (Anxiety, Depression, OCD, PTSD)
Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) are the most common complication of pregnancy and postpartum—more common than gestational diabetes or preeclampsia. They’re also highly treatable with the right support.
You might be experiencing:
-
Prenatal anxiety: constant worry, racing thoughts, or “what ifs” that don’t stop
-
Postpartum depression: sadness, numbness, or disconnection from yourself or your baby
-
OCD or intrusive thoughts: scary, repetitive thoughts that make you feel ashamed or on edge
-
PTSD after birth trauma: flashbacks, nightmares, or feeling haunted by your delivery or medical care
These symptoms don’t mean you’re failing. They mean you’re going through a major transition and need support to heal.
Support During Pregnancy and After Birth
Perinatal counseling provides a safe, flexible space where you can bring your whole self—including your baby.
-
During pregnancy: Therapy helps with mental health during pregnancy, processing body changes, fears about labor, or stress about becoming a parent.
-
After birth: Therapy offers tools for coping with postpartum depression, anxiety, or PMADs while supporting your bond with your baby and your partner.
-
For parents at all stages: Whether you’re one week or one year postpartum, support is available when you need it.
In sessions, you can:
-
Talk openly about birth trauma, intrusive thoughts, guilt, resentment, or rage
-
Learn coping strategies to feel more grounded and less overwhelmed
-
Strengthen your relationships and identity beyond parenthood
Gentle, real support from people who get it.
We know that finding time for yourself feels impossible right now. That’s why we make therapy accessible, flexible, and supportive in every way we can. Here’s what it looks like:
Here’s what you can expect:
- Bring your baby: Nursing? Crying? Diaper changes mid-session? Totally welcome. Your therapy space should work with your reality, not against it.
- Talk about the hard stuff: Birth trauma. Intrusive thoughts. Rage. Guilt. Resentment. Love. We talk about it all—openly and safely.
- You guide the pace: There’s no pressure to “get over it.” We’ll meet you where you are and move forward together.
- We’re parents, too: We’ve been there—through the exhaustion, the identity shifts, the tears you hide in the shower. We get it.
When to Seek Therapy
It’s time to reach out if:
-
You feel sad, numb, or irritable most of the day
-
Anxiety or intrusive thoughts keep you from resting or enjoying moments with your baby
-
You feel disconnected from your baby, partner, or yourself
-
You’re overwhelmed by decisions and daily tasks
-
You’ve noticed you’re withdrawing from loved ones or hiding your struggles
Seeking help doesn’t mean you’re weak. It means you care about yourself, your baby, and your family. Therapy for perinatal mood disorders can help you feel more stable, supported, and human again.
Perinatal Mental Health is Health. Therapy Can Help.
Emotional Relief
Birth Trauma Processing
Anxiety & Depression Support
Tools to Cope and Heal
MATRESCENCE THERAPY
Follow Us
Phone number: 224-999-0591
Virtual Sessions Throughout Chicagoland & Illinois
*This is a virtual practice.
All sessions are held through video. You must be residing in Illinois.