Currently in the US postpartum depression affects approximately 1 in 7 new parents, yet this common diagnosis often remains untreated. You may have personally experienced the pressures of how pregnancy from preconception to birth, and the postpartum period, is portrayed in our society as a joyous, seamless experience. While this life changing time can be rich in positive emotions, you may also be experiencing feelings of sadness, confusion, and most commonly overwhelm and anxiety. The societal narrative around this phase of life often omits the tremendous pressure that is placed upon families, including those struggling with primary and secondary infertility and TFMR (termination for medical reasons). Ending a wanted pregnancy can bring a unique grief that you may feel others will not understand, but we do, and we’re here to help. Continually new and expecting families are left to face countless hurdles without adequate emotional support and our goal is to stop this pattern.

Our clinicians also have expertise in the area of IVF, a medicalized fertility process that provides families with hope and renewed options when faced with various challenges during the conception journey, but IVF also comes with a unique set of physical and emotional hurdles. Through individualized and group therapy options, our practice creates a space to delve deeper into those difficult topics that are commonly shared amongst those who have undergone IVF.

We also make space for dads and non-birthing partners.  If you’re a new or expecting dad, embarking on the journey of fatherhood can bring a mix of excitement, uncertainty, overwhelm, and isolation. In the cases when a birthing partner develops postpartum depression, 50% of the time the male or non-birthing partner will develop it as well. While postpartum depression for women often presents as feelings of intense sadness and overwhelm, postpartum depression in men is more often seen in increased rates of anger and irritability, social withdrawal, addictive behaviors, and physical discomfort. Mothers often report that their partner suddenly appears “checked-out” or distant and this is often confused for a lack of interest in parenting versus symptoms of depression. Societal gender-bias also play a large role in men underreporting their symptoms and not seeking help, leading to an even greater risk of marital disharmony and prolonged symptoms of postpartum depression for both birthing and non-birthing partners.