Therapy for Pregnancy
Are You Feeling Stressed Out Or
Overwhelmed During Pregnancy?
Are you pregnant or trying to conceive and managing mental health struggles?
Do you have anxiety about infertility or about being pregnant?
Have you had a difficult pregnancy experience or loss in the past that makes it hard for you to feel present in the moment?
You may have fears over your baby’s health and well-being, managing your doctor visits, or your labor and delivery. Maybe you experienced a traumatic birth previously or are overwhelmed with worry about what could go wrong.
Your worries could be about parenthood and your transition to life as a new parent. You may be wondering how you and your partner will manage this new challenge together. You probably wonder what you can do to help yourself during this time and might be curious about therapy for pregnancy.
Have any questions? Send us a message!
Pregnancy Can Bring Up Both Old And New Worries
Maybe you are exhausted from the physical effects of pregnancy, like fluctuating hormones and emotions, fatigue, or nausea. If you already have children at home it can be so hard to do the things you typically do with your kids and that can lead to guilt or shame. You might experience depression, anxiety, or another mental health issue like obsessive-compulsive disorder, or wonder what your symptoms indicate.
Pregnancy can be joyful, but also filled with all of the “what ifs,” like questions surrounding how the baby is or your worries about the future. Therapy can help you sort out the myriad of feelings and symptoms you are experiencing during pregnancy, providing support, confidence, and hope.
Pregnancy Is A Complex Experience
Pregnancy can be both physically and emotionally demanding. The unrealistic expectations that society places on pregnancy—that it should be this glowing period of one’s life can make it feel even more challenging. When it is coupled with anxiety, physical symptoms of discomfort, or even medical complications, that can cause further mental health issues and feelings of inadequacy.
If we consider pregnancy as a uniquely complicated time in our lives, we may find some peace in that acceptance. Instead of hanging onto every negative or imperfect experience as somehow reflecting our capabilities, we can look objectively at what is happening to us and not assume something is “wrong” with us.
It Can Be Challenging To Manage Mental Health During Pregnancy
Pregnancy can often feel isolating because you are experiencing these symptoms by yourself. Even if you have a partner or close friends to rely on, it can be challenging to share how you really feel. Also, it is easy to lean into feelings of shame or guilt if you experience anxiety about all of the "what ifs."
You don’t have to go down the pregnancy path alone, and therapy at Bluestone Counseling Group can help support you in learning to have grace with yourself, reduce your overwhelm and the need for constant control, and even find some peace along the way.
Therapy for Pregnancy Can Help You Find Hope And Strength
When you come to therapy at our practice, we will meet you where you are in your pregnancy journey. We will discuss any support systems you have in place and talk about how you are feeling physically, emotionally, and mentally. We’ll help you develop coping skills and strategies to manage your well-being and mental health both during pregnancy and after birth.
If you are experiencing significant anxiety or depression, we will address those concerns by working together to learn about negative thought patterns and barriers that are getting in the way of what you hope for the future.
We Utilize Compassionate And Individualized Counseling Modalities
At Bluestone Counseling Group, all of our clinicians are moms who have been through pregnancy and have advanced training in supporting women's mental health during maternity. In therapy sessions, we will utilize a variety of tools and modalities depending on your unique needs and circumstances. This includes trauma-informed practices for pregnancy, if necessary. You will be able to apply the skills you learn in sessions in your daily life to manage your mental health.
Mindfulness for pregnancy involves becoming aware of your thoughts and emotions and learning how to soothe your nervous system with techniques like breathing exercises and meditation. Mindfulness helps you notice how you are feeling in the present moment on purpose and without judgment. This can help create some space between what you may be thinking or feeling and your response.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and the skills developed can help if you have negative automatic thoughts holding you back and creating anxiety during pregnancy. Such thoughts might include pressure you put on yourself about things you think you should be doing better, or focusing on negative what-if scenarios. CBT helps you challenge those thoughts objectively, sit with the discomfort, and restructure your thinking in a more helpful way.
Counseling also brings in aspects of interpersonal therapy, which looks at your social connections during pregnancy and what's happening in your life relationally. During sessions we might role-play hard conversations you would like to have with a friend, family member, or your partner in a safe environment that can help you understand your relationships from a different perspective.
With the help and support of therapy, you can experience pregnancy, the postpartum period, and even parenthood with a stronger foundation for managing your mental health. It is possible to find a workable balance that can give you strength, hope, and excitement for your future and the future of your growing family.
You Might Still Have Questions About Therapy For Pregnancy…
I wonder how much
experience my
potential therapist
has working with
pregnancy.
women during.
Our practice specializes in therapy for maternal well-being. Our therapists are also mothers who understand the challenges and experiences that our clients may be going through in the prenatal period. Our team has provided counseling for women at all phases of pregnancy and into parenthood for over ten years. We also have additional training in a variety of modalities as well as perinatal mental health-specific advanced training.
I am wondering if I
need to take
medication to get
better.
Sometimes, anxiety or depression may require medication to ensure both you and your baby stay healthy. While deciding whether to take medication can feel overwhelming, many medications are clinically safe during pregnancy when prescribed by a doctor. We have many reproductive psychiatrists that we have relationships with who are experts in making sure that any pregnant or postpartum woman has the best care in terms of medication management if indicated. Your well-being matters and taking care of your mental health is a strong, loving step for you and your baby’s future.
I am concerned about
the cost of therapy.
Therapy can be considered an investment in your health during the prenatal period and into parenthood, the benefits of which can be invaluable. Furthermore, the health of your pregnancy, both physically and mentally, is of great importance, and maintaining that health can ensure peace of mind.
We also provide a service to help with insurance reimbursements. We've partnered with Mentaya, a service that helps you determine the cost of therapy and streamlines getting reimbursed for your sessions through out-of-network benefits. Read more about this partnership here and see if you qualify.
Let’s Help Improve Your Mental Health During Pregnancy
We offer a free, 15-minute consultation to help you determine if we are a good fit for your therapy journey during pregnancy. Reach out to us by calling 202-505-1454 or click the button below to access our Contact page if you are ready to focus on your mental health and wellness as a new or expectant mother.
