Postpartum Anxiety

Postpartum anxiety is one of the most common perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs), and it can show up as constant worry, racing thoughts, intrusive fears about your baby’s safety, difficulty sleeping, irritability, or a persistent sense of being “on edge.” Unlike typical new-parent worry, postpartum anxiety can feel consuming and difficult to turn off, even when everything appears to be okay externally. Many women also experience physical symptoms such as restlessness, muscle tension, or panic-like sensations, which can add to feelings of overwhelm during the postpartum period.

In my work as a maternal mental health therapist, I provide evidence-based treatment for postpartum anxiety using approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT), both of which are highly effective in treating perinatal anxiety disorders. CBT helps identify and shift anxious thought patterns, reduce catastrophic thinking, and build practical coping tools for managing intrusive worries. IPT focuses on the emotional impact of major life transitions, identity shifts, relationship stress, and support needs during early motherhood. I also integrate a relational and emotionally attuned approach influenced by contemporary clinicians such as Esther Perel, Terry Real, Dr. Becky Kennedy, and Karen Kleiman, particularly in understanding attachment, reassurance-seeking, and the pressure many mothers feel to “do everything right.”

Therapy for postpartum anxiety provides a supportive, nonjudgmental space to slow down, make sense of what you are experiencing, and develop tools to feel more grounded and in control. I specialize in helping women across California reduce postpartum anxiety symptoms, strengthen emotional regulation, and reconnect with a sense of calm and confidence in motherhood. The goal is not to eliminate all worry, but to help you feel more present, supported, and able to trust yourself as you navigate this transition.