One in five women will experience depression or anxiety during pregnancy or in the year after birth.
You are not alone. You can feel better.
You are not alone. You can feel better.
I see women every day in my private practice struggling with postpartum emotional complications who feel like they're alone in this experience. Yet, emotional complications are the most common complication of pregnancy and childbirth and can also affect adoptive parents post-placement. And there is help: therapy, medication, acupuncture, and support groups can all work to shorten the length and intensity of symptoms.
Adjusting to Motherhood
Adjusting to Motherhood is a 6-week small group that offers support, connection, and resources to women in the postpartum year or post-adoption of an infant who are struggling with the adjustment, anxiety or depression. Each week, resources and discussion will be centered around a different theme including:
- birth or adoption experience
- expectations vs. reality of parenting
- relationships with partners, family, friends
- bonding and attachment with the baby
- boundaries and asking for help
- practical copings skills to manage worry, rage, distressing thoughts and other common symptoms
FAQ
How is this group different from the new parent group that I already attend?
New parent or new moms' groups can be important resources and supports for the early weeks and months of your baby's life. Making connections with others, exchanging tips about sleep and feeding, and gaining perspective about your baby's growth and development are all clear benefits of a new parent group. Yet, for some women--especially those who are dealing with anxiety, depression, or other emotional complications--connecting specifically with others who are also having challenges is valuable to reduce feelings of isolation and shame. So in addition to perspective, tips, and connections, you'll gain information, skills and resources in the Adjusting to Motherhood group to help you manage the demands of caring for yourself while caring for your baby.
Is this group just for mothers with postpartum depression?
You do not need a formal diagnosis to attend this group. Any mother who finds herself experiencing overwhelming worry; feelings of sadness, anger, irritability; wondering "What have I done?" or "How can I be a good mother when I feel so bad?"; or any myriad of the other symptoms of emotional complications will benefit from the group. I use the phrase "emotional complications" to encompass the broad range of mood instability and anxiety that women can feel in the postpartum period. We'll have a brief phone conversation after you register to determine if the group will be a good fit for your specific situation.
Do I need to go to a group if I'm already seeing an individual therapist?
This group can be a helpful supplement to individual therapy -- and for other women, can be a motivation and resource for connecting with an individual therapist. Plus, parenting an infant can be isolating on its own; when emotional complications are thrown in the mix, it can feel impossible to leave the house and like you're the only one who hasn't found motherhood 100% blissful. Coming to this, or other postpartum, groups can give you a reason to get out the door and show you that you are not alone. And, if you are currently working with a therapist, I'm happy to communicate with them with your permission and a signed release.
"I'm an adoptive mother" or "My partner birthed our baby" and I'm struggling with the adjustment. Can I attend this group?
Yes, this group is for any woman with an infant under 1 year who is struggling to adjust to her parenting role and experiencing emotional complications. Adoptive parents and same-sex parents are not immune to depression and anxiety after welcoming a baby to their family. There's often an element of the stark difference between the expectations and reality of parenting an infant that plays into all new parents, and the skills we'll be learning will be applicable to all parents.
Have other questions that I haven't answered here? Please feel free to fill out the form above and ask your questions in the comment section, or get in touch with me.
New parent or new moms' groups can be important resources and supports for the early weeks and months of your baby's life. Making connections with others, exchanging tips about sleep and feeding, and gaining perspective about your baby's growth and development are all clear benefits of a new parent group. Yet, for some women--especially those who are dealing with anxiety, depression, or other emotional complications--connecting specifically with others who are also having challenges is valuable to reduce feelings of isolation and shame. So in addition to perspective, tips, and connections, you'll gain information, skills and resources in the Adjusting to Motherhood group to help you manage the demands of caring for yourself while caring for your baby.
Is this group just for mothers with postpartum depression?
You do not need a formal diagnosis to attend this group. Any mother who finds herself experiencing overwhelming worry; feelings of sadness, anger, irritability; wondering "What have I done?" or "How can I be a good mother when I feel so bad?"; or any myriad of the other symptoms of emotional complications will benefit from the group. I use the phrase "emotional complications" to encompass the broad range of mood instability and anxiety that women can feel in the postpartum period. We'll have a brief phone conversation after you register to determine if the group will be a good fit for your specific situation.
Do I need to go to a group if I'm already seeing an individual therapist?
This group can be a helpful supplement to individual therapy -- and for other women, can be a motivation and resource for connecting with an individual therapist. Plus, parenting an infant can be isolating on its own; when emotional complications are thrown in the mix, it can feel impossible to leave the house and like you're the only one who hasn't found motherhood 100% blissful. Coming to this, or other postpartum, groups can give you a reason to get out the door and show you that you are not alone. And, if you are currently working with a therapist, I'm happy to communicate with them with your permission and a signed release.
"I'm an adoptive mother" or "My partner birthed our baby" and I'm struggling with the adjustment. Can I attend this group?
Yes, this group is for any woman with an infant under 1 year who is struggling to adjust to her parenting role and experiencing emotional complications. Adoptive parents and same-sex parents are not immune to depression and anxiety after welcoming a baby to their family. There's often an element of the stark difference between the expectations and reality of parenting an infant that plays into all new parents, and the skills we'll be learning will be applicable to all parents.
Have other questions that I haven't answered here? Please feel free to fill out the form above and ask your questions in the comment section, or get in touch with me.