Feel Like You’re Losing Yourself in the Transition to Motherhood?
Pregnancy and postpartum are ”supposed” to be joyful, and sometimes they are. But for many, these chapters also bring an overwhelming wave of emotions, mental distress, and uncertainty. You might be experiencing:
- Persistent anxiety or racing thoughts
- Mood swings or tearfulness that doesn’t ease with time
- Feelings of detachment or numbness
- Intrusive, unwanted thoughts about harm or danger
- Guilt or shame about how you’re coping
- Loss of identity or sense of self
- Fear of repeating harmful parenting patterns from your own upbringing
Whether this is your first pregnancy or your third, these experiences can feel isolating and deeply confusing, especially if you’re constantly told that “everything should be fine.”
At Westchester Parent & Child Therapy, we specialize in therapy for perinatal mental health, supporting you through pregnancy, postpartum, and everything in between. This is a uniquely vulnerable time, and you deserve care that’s attuned to your full self, not just your role as a parent.
Understanding the Vulnerability of the Perinatal Period
The transition to parenthood brings a complex mix of external and internal changes, including:
- Hormonal shifts and physical recovery
- Identity and role changes in relationships
- Loss of structure and predictability
- Sleep deprivation and sensory overload
- Fear of “getting it wrong”
- Social isolation or comparison
- Grief over the loss of a prior lifestyle
- Pressure to bond instantly and effortlessly
All of this can destabilize your emotional foundation, leaving you unsure of what’s normal and what’s not. Whether you’re pregnant, postpartum, or somewhere in the blurry space between, therapy can provide a grounded, nonjudgmental space to process what you’re feeling and begin to trust your own inner voice again.
What About Perinatal OCD? You’re Not Alone—And You’re Not Broken
Perinatal Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is one of the lesser-talked-about but very common perinatal mental health conditions. It often includes:
- Intrusive thoughts about harm coming to your baby
- Compulsions to check, clean, or mentally review situations
- Avoidance of activities or items that feel “dangerous”
- Hyper-responsibility and perfectionism
- Deep shame or fear of judgment
These symptoms are scary, but they do not reflect your desires or parenting abilities. Perinatal OCD is highly treatable with the right support.
We use Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), a gold-standard treatment for OCD that helps you gradually face fears without engaging in compulsive behaviors. When tailored for the perinatal period, ERP can help you gain distance from intrusive thoughts, reduce avoidance, and rebuild trust in your intuition as a parent.
Who We Help
We support a wide range of clients navigating perinatal mental health concerns, including: New and expecting moms, Parents struggling with bonding or intrusive thoughts, Women with a history of anxiety, OCD, trauma, or depression, Parents facing perinatal loss or medical complications, Families adjusting to life with multiple children, Non-birthing parents in supportive roles
Whether you’re struggling silently or already reaching for help, we’re here to meet you exactly where you are.
Our Approach to Perinatal Therapy
We take a deeply attuned, holistic approach to perinatal therapy. Our team includes therapists with advanced training and certification in:
- Perinatal Mental Health (PMH-C)
- The Art of Holding Perinatal Women in Distress
- ERP for Perinatal OCD
- Internal Family Systems (IFS)
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Attachment-Focused & Emotionally Attuned Care
We recognize that you are more than your symptoms. Our sessions are designed to help you:
- Understand what’s happening in your mind and body
- Reduce anxiety, shame, and overwhelm
- Explore fears without judgment
- Set boundaries and express needs
- Reconnect with yourself as an individual and as a parent
Begin healing in ways that feel sustainable, not performative
FAQs About Perinatal Therapy
Any emotional experience that feels distressing, disruptive, or unmanageable deserves attention. You don’t need to meet a diagnostic threshold to get support. If you’re suffering, that’s enough.
In some cases, yes. We offer both in-person and virtual sessions and will work with you to create a supportive space, whether that’s during nap time, a feeding, or a quiet moment in your car.
We understand how scary intrusive thoughts can be and how much shame they bring. Our therapists are specially trained in this area and can help you share at your pace, with compassion and without fear of judgment.