Find a therapist for postpartum depression through Partum Health in Chicago, Illinois. Our mental health specialists are vetted professionals to help you deal with the symptoms of post pregnancy depression. We offer free introductory calls, a care coordinator to provide support in between weekly therapy sessions, and in-network care with major insurances. New client therapy sessions are typically available within 24-48 hours, no waitlist required.

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a common mental health challenge after giving birth, and high-quality treatment is available. When looking for a therapist for PPD, it’s important to find a licensed therapist who has experience treating maternal mental health and can help identify the post labor warning signs that go beyond baby blues. Certification through Postpartum Support International (PSI) is the gold standard for trained perinatal mental health experts.

Whether you are seeking therapy near you in Chicago or online sessions throughout Illinois, prioritize finding a counselor you can connect with. Through a strong therapeutic alliance, therapy can support your mental health and wellness and decrease how long the symptoms of postpartum depression last.

Therapy during pregnancy can help you navigate emotional ups and downs throughout a period of immense change, and decrease the likelihood of postpartum depression and anxiety. Therapy provides a safe place to process the complicated emotions that come with pregnancy like guilt, ambivalence, grief, and fear.

Common topics covered in therapy before, during, and after pregnancy include:

• Fertility issues: Navigating infertility diagnosis, managing fertility treatment stress, addressing grief after pregnancy loss including miscarriage and stillbirth, and family planning through donor conception, IVF, and adoption
• Reproductive decision making: Deciding whether and when to become a parent, navigating unplanned pregnancy, choosing a donor, and terminating a pregnancy
• Stress management: Managing new family and relationship dynamics, hormonal changes, financial stress, the transition to parenthood, and NICU stays
• Postpartum mental health: Healing from traumatic medical experiences including traumatic birth experiences as well as postpartum anxiety, depression, OCD, and psychosis
• Transition to parenthood: Managing the first newborn weeks, return to work, relationship changes, building a bond with baby, and feelings of shame and guilt

Addressing mental health issues during pregnancy is important because symptoms can affect not only the parent, but also the infant and the whole family system. Seeking help early, as soon as the first trimester or even before conception, can help to improve outcomes after birth.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Interpersonal Therapy are evidence-based approaches to treat postpartum mental health issues. As in any type of therapy, the strongest predictor of success in perinatal treatment is the fit between client and therapist. Especially since the period around trying to conceive, pregnancy, and postpartum can be so vulnerable, it’s important to find a licensed professional you trust.

Medication can also be an option to treat symptoms of postpartum depression; talk to a therapist about when a consultation with a psychiatrist might be appropriate.

Therapy is the best treatment for anxiety during pregnancy. Since anxiety can have physical effects, like difficulty eating and sleeping and blood pressure changes, excess stress can be harmful to a developing baby. When feelings of overwhelm and confusion start to impact your daily functioning, seek help from a perinatal mental health professional.

In therapy for anxiety during pregnancy, you might focus on building positive coping skills, implementing self-care rituals, and addressing fears about parenting. For people with a history of pregnancy loss, infertility, or other medical complications such as a high risk pregnancy, therapy during pregnancy can be especially helpful to manage reproductive stress.

Yes, research shows that going to therapy while pregnant can help reduce the occurrence of postpartum depression and anxiety. Meeting one-on-one with a therapist during pregnancy can help to ease worries, cope with change, and prepare for parenthood.

Couples therapy during pregnancy can also be a good idea. Together with your partner, you can learn to navigate relationship changes, plan for managing sleep and infant care schedules, and align on a shared vision for parenting.