Perinatal and Postnatal Therapy

 Becoming a parent is a radical and life-changing event. While we often hear about the bliss of new parenthood, less is said about when it gets really, really hard. In fact, it is pretty common to sometimes have scary feelings and thoughts as we begin life with a new baby. And birth doesn’t always go as expected—for some mothers and babies, birth involves medical interventions that are experienced as traumatic. 

When you are pregnant or caring for a baby, the thought of starting therapy may sound pretty unappealing. You are exhausted. Just getting in a shower can feel like a major accomplishment and the idea of adding something else to your schedule can seem overwhelming. But when the struggle of pregnancy and new parenthood is getting to be too much, then therapy can really help you feel less overwhelmed and less alone.

Therapy can provide a space to talk about what entering parenthood has been like for you. If some of this experience has felt unspeakable, then finally talking about and understanding these feelings will bring some relief. Therapy will be a chance to talk, understand, and find ways to get you feeling like your old self again.

I am a member of the East Toronto Perinatal Therapy Collective, a group of relational therapists supporting pregnant and new parents in the east end of Toronto.