Becoming a parent changes everything. Your body, your identity, your relationships, your sleep, your sense of control. The period surrounding pregnancy and birth is one of the most significant transitions a person can experience, and it is not always what you expected it to be. Perinatal therapy provides support during this time, helping you process what you are feeling so you do not have to carry it alone.
At Artisan Counseling, our licensed counselors work with clients during pregnancy and the postpartum period, offering a space where your experience is taken seriously and your emotional health is treated as a priority.
The term “perinatal” refers to the period from pregnancy through the first year after birth. Perinatal therapy is counseling that focuses specifically on the emotional and psychological concerns that can arise during this time.
This includes support during pregnancy, after delivery, during the transition to parenthood and in situations involving pregnancy loss, fertility treatment or birth complications. Perinatal therapy is available to birthing parents, non-birthing partners and adoptive parents who are adjusting to a new family structure.
Many people expect this period to feel joyful. When it does not, or when joy is mixed with anxiety, sadness, anger or disconnection, it can be confusing and isolating. Perinatal therapy normalizes those experiences and provides tools to manage them.
This is not a sign of failure. It is a sign that you are going through something that requires more support than you currently have.
The emotional shifts that occur during and after pregnancy are influenced by hormonal changes, sleep deprivation, physical recovery, relationship dynamics and identity adjustment. Many parents experience some or all of the following.
Postpartum depression. Persistent sadness, low energy, difficulty bonding with the baby, withdrawal from loved ones and a sense of hopelessness that lasts beyond the first two weeks after birth. Postpartum depression affects an estimated one in seven birthing parents, though many cases go unreported.
Postpartum anxiety. Racing thoughts, constant worry about the baby’s safety, difficulty sleeping even when the baby is asleep, restlessness and physical symptoms such as nausea or a tight chest. Postpartum anxiety can occur alongside depression or on its own.
Birth trauma. If your birth experience involved fear, loss of control, medical complications or outcomes that were not part of your plan, you may carry distress related to that experience. Some parents develop symptoms similar to PTSD after a difficult delivery.
Fertility stress. The process of trying to conceive, especially when it involves loss, medical intervention or prolonged waiting, can take a serious emotional toll. Therapy provides support during that process.
NICU experience. Having a baby in the neonatal intensive care unit introduces fear, helplessness and separation at a time when you expected closeness. Many parents carry the emotional effects of a NICU stay long after their baby comes home.
Parenting transition. Adjusting to the demands of parenthood, shifting roles within a relationship, managing expectations from family and finding your footing as a new parent are all sources of stress that therapy can address.
Pregnancy loss. Miscarriage, stillbirth and termination for medical reasons are forms of grief that are often minimized or overlooked. Perinatal therapy honors that loss and gives you space to process it.
Identity shifts. Becoming a parent can change how you see yourself, your career, your body and your relationships. Therapy helps you make sense of those shifts.
Many parents wait to seek help, hoping that what they are feeling will resolve on its own. Sometimes it does. But when symptoms persist or worsen, early support can make a meaningful difference.
Emotional regulation. Learning to manage intense emotions during the perinatal period helps you stay present for yourself, your baby and your partner. Therapy gives you tools to interrupt cycles of anxiety, sadness or irritability before they escalate.
Attachment. The early bond between parent and child is influenced by the parent’s emotional state. When a parent is struggling with depression, anxiety or trauma, it can affect their ability to respond to their baby’s needs. Therapy supports that connection by addressing what is getting in the way.
Preventing escalation. Untreated perinatal mood and anxiety disorders can worsen over time. What begins as mild anxiety can develop into panic. What begins as sadness can deepen into clinical depression. Early intervention reduces the risk of escalation and supports a faster recovery.
Relationship stability. The transition to parenthood places significant pressure on relationships. Therapy helps you communicate with your partner about what you are experiencing, set realistic expectations and maintain your connection during a period of high stress.
Research published in the Archives of Women’s Mental Health supports the effectiveness of therapy for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, with early intervention associated with better outcomes for both the parent and the child.
Perinatal therapy at Artisan Counseling draws from several established modalities, depending on what you are experiencing and what your counselor determines may be most effective.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). CBT helps you identify and change thought patterns that contribute to anxiety and depression during the perinatal period. It is one of the most studied approaches for postpartum mood disorders and can be applied to concerns such as intrusive thoughts, excessive worry and negative self-talk related to parenting. [Learn more about CBT]
EMDR. For clients who have experienced a traumatic birth, pregnancy loss or other distressing events during the perinatal period, EMDR can help the brain process those memories and reduce the intensity of the emotional response. [Learn more about EMDR]
Somatic therapy. Pregnancy, birth and postpartum recovery are deeply physical experiences. Somatic approaches help you reconnect with your body, address nervous system activation and release the tension and stress that may be stored physically. [Learn more about Somatic Therapy]
Your counselor will discuss which approach fits your situation and may use elements from more than one modality over the course of treatment.
Starting therapy during pregnancy or after birth comes with its own set of logistics. Our team works to make the process as accessible as possible.
Flexible scheduling. We understand that your availability may change week to week depending on your health, your baby’s schedule and your energy level. Our office will work with you to find appointment times that fit.
Telehealth options. Many perinatal clients find virtual sessions more accessible, especially in the postpartum period. Telehealth allows you to attend from home, which can reduce the burden of travel with a newborn.
Partner involvement. Perinatal therapy is primarily individual, but your partner is welcome to attend sessions when it supports the treatment goals. If broader relationship concerns are present, your counselor may recommend couples counseling as an additional resource.
Session structure. Sessions are 50 to 60 minutes and follow a conversational format. Your counselor will ask about your current symptoms, your emotional state, your support system and your goals. Treatment is adjusted to your needs and paced to match your energy and capacity.
No judgment. Whatever you are feeling is allowed in the therapy room. Anger, guilt, ambivalence, grief, fear. These are all part of the perinatal experience for many people, and your counselor will not minimize or dismiss any of it.
Yes. Postpartum depression affects an estimated one in seven birthing parents. It can also affect non-birthing partners. It is not a reflection of your ability to parent or your love for your child.
Yes. We understand that childcare is not always available, especially in the early postpartum period. You are welcome to bring your baby to in-person sessions.
Yes. Talk therapy is a safe and recommended form of support during pregnancy. It does not involve medication, and your counselor will adjust the approach to be appropriate for your stage of pregnancy and your current needs.
Perinatal therapy is provided within the context of licensed counseling and is billed as a standard therapy session. Most insurance plans cover it. Contact our office at 757.503.2819 to verify your benefits.
You can start at any point during the postpartum period. Some clients begin within weeks of delivery, while others seek support months later. There is no deadline.
That is a common reason to reach out. Your counselor can help you assess what you are experiencing and determine the right level of support. You do not need to have a diagnosis to begin.
Yes, when it supports your treatment goals. Your counselor will discuss this with you and recommend additional services if broader relationship work is needed.
Perinatal therapy includes support for pregnancy loss at any stage. Your grief is valid, and our counselors are trained to hold that space with care and without rushing the process.