Coping With The Reality of Motherhood
You never thought having a baby would be easy . . .
But you didn't expect it to be quite this hard, and sometimes you even wonder if becoming a mother was a terrible mistake.
The childbirth, while pretty frightening, doesn’t hold a candle to the day in, day out parts of caring for a baby, putting yourself last (if you even make it on the list at all), losing every ounce of freedom, and feeling like you’ve had to put all of your goals and dreams on a shelf far away, perhaps never to be seen again.
Other moms seem to have it all figured out, so what’s wrong with you?
You can’t remember not feeling overwhelmed.
This new reality has been harder than you ever imagined it would be.
You would love some sleep, but when you get the chance, you can’t turn off your brain.
The laundry keeps piling up, the bottles need cleaning, and how is it already time to pump AGAIN?
You don’t know if you’ve even eaten real food today.
Your partner keeps asking if you are ok.
You are physically and emotionally drained, anxious, and scattered.
Of course you love your tiny bundle of joy, but you do wish you could press pause on your life and just have a break.
And you will scream if one more person tells you to cherish every moment.
These feelings don’t mean you're a bad person, a terrible mother, or anything of the sort. It means you're human, and you’re adjusting to the biggest change of your life.
You may not feel like you can say this stuff to anyone in your life, and that’s where I come in.
As many as 1 in 5 women suffer from postpartum mood and anxiety disorders, and symptoms can occur at any point during pregnancy or the first year after childbirth (the term perinatal is often used to refer to this time period). Yes, you read that right: postpartum isn’t just the first few weeks after you bring baby home.
Take a moment and let that sink in. Pregnancy is about ten months, and then you spend another full year after you have your baby adjusting to this HUGE life change.
What you’re feeling may not even be a PMAD (Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorder). It may be that you don’t fit the predetermined mold of what you think a mom is supposed to look like, feel, do, or be. You get to define what motherhood is for you, and you don’t have to do it alone.
Remember that you have options when it comes to getting support.
Too overwhelmed by the thought of leaving the house? Coolcoolcool, I’m 100% virtual.
Wishing there was a way to fit in physical activity and therapy? Maybe Walk & Talk is just the solution. Baby can even join us in the stroller.
The important part is that you get the support you need.
Cost
A 15-minute consultation call will be provided at no charge to you before we schedule an appointment.
45-50 minute session - $175
90-minute session - $315
Payment is processed online through TherapyPortal at the time of service using your credit card that you submit when you complete your initial paperwork.
Out-Of-Network Reimbursement
I am not an ‘in-network’ provider for any health insurance carriers.
To use out-of-network benefits, please call the customer service number on your insurance card and ask about how to apply for reimbursement for an office visit with an out-of-network therapist (codes 90791 and 90834).
I do not make calls to insurance companies to justify medical necessity or negotiate reimbursement.
Please review the Good Faith Estimate document for important information regarding your rights as a self-pay patient.
Please be aware that you must be diagnosed with a mental health disorder to file an insurance claim for reimbursement.