As a woman you are sold the idea that pregnancy is one of the most beautiful times of your life. And it is, but it can also come with anxiety, confusion, and a range of other challenges. For some expectant moms, they have dealt with or are dealing with a period of secondary infertility or a history of pregnancy losses. This can steal the joy and excitement from the experience, making it a difficult time emotionally. It can feel as if you get too excited then something will happen.
In the perinatal stage there is so much to look forward to and be happy about, but with that comes other, more complicated feelings. You may feel anxious about the health of your baby, or be struggling with complicated grief if you have had a history of infertility or pregnancy loss. Perhaps, you may have experienced birth trauma from a previous traumatic delivery. And when you factor in chronic health problems that can compound the stress placed on your body. This is where perinatal therapy in Washington, DC can help you during your pregnancy.
What is Perinatal Therapy?
Perinatal therapy is a supportive psychotherapy that is tailored to the needs of expectant and new moms. It helps you process emotions related to your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum period. An integrative approach is taken by utilizing supportive psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and mindfulness techniques so you can reduce feelings of anxiety and depression while pregnant.
The goal of perinatal therapy in Washington, DC supports expectant mothers to gain coping skills to feel more empowered and calm during this season of life. It also supports women in working with an online therapist for women in Washington, DC to create a mental health plan for postpartum care. Enabling them to be proactive and make sure they are supported throughout the entire perinatal period.
How is Perinatal Therapy Beneficial For Perinatal Women?
The perinatal phase for women lasts from conception until the first year of life. During this period, you are going through a transformation. Physical and emotional changes can be overwhelming and it is important to have a safe space and supportive people in your life. 1 in 7 new moms experience mood or anxiety disorders. This can include depression, panic, increased anxiety, obsessive thoughts, or even PTSD due to previous birth trauma. Having a therapist to assist with your mental health at this stage can benefit you emotionally.
Perinatal Therapy in Washington, DC includes trauma-informed CBT and mindfulness to help perinatal women navigate their feelings. Ones of anxiety, depression, and other challenges related to the perinatal stage. This way they will have support in this new phase of their life and learn how to have more self-compassion during pregnancy and beyond.
Mindfulness Exercises to Help with Anxiety
Mindfulness can help you manage feelings of anxiety in more healthy and helpful ways. You are able to become aware of your thoughts and feelings without judgment. When you're feeling anxious, you can picture yourself in a safe space and be mindful of your thoughts. By engaging in different, new, and more helpful behaviors, you can create positive reinforcement and reduce feelings of distress.
Mindfulness has been researched to reduce anxiety and even depression. All due to its calming effects on our nervous system. It allows you to become more aware of yourself and your surroundings. You can practice mindfulness by engaging in mindful exercises like deep breathing, guided imagery, or progressive muscle relaxation.
Trauma-informed CBT
Trauma-informed CBT allows perinatal women to recognize cognitive distortions and create authentic reframes that are more helpful replacement thought patterns. For example, you may have experienced a previous traumatic delivery or have had a history of infertility. This can create feelings of guilt and shame. You can use CBT to reframe these feelings as being present and understandable given the circumstances, while also having a sense of hope for the future.
You can also practice dialectical thinking to be present - acknowledging that two opposites can be true at the same time. This helps perinatal women understand the complexities of being pregnant and new moms while also creating new neural pathways in the brain as they engage in different, new, and more helpful behaviors. This can look like increasing positive self-talk and helping to turn down the volume on unpleasant and distressing emotions. This can help to increase the feelings of acceptance of the current situation.
Ways to Find Support
If you are feeling overwhelmed with your pregnancy, or perinatal period there are ways to find support. Gaining support that will benefit you during this season of life is important. And can be done in a few ways.
Seek Out a Reproductive Psychiatrist
Seeking out a reproductive psychiatrist is a great way to be proactive with your mental health. A reproductive psychiatrist can help you safely manage any current medication during pregnancy and postpartum. They also can provide guidance on lifestyle modifications as well that will benefit you and the baby.
Find a Pelvic Physical Therapist
Another great option is to find a pelvic physical therapist in your area to help support you during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum recovery. A pelvic physical therapist can assist in helping your body adjust to the new changes that come with having a baby. They also can provide advice on positions to support an easier delivery.
Don't Do It Alone
Finally, don't do it alone! Reach out for supportive psychotherapy to process feelings of anxiety, depression, or grief during pregnancy. An online therapist for women in Washington, DC can help you look at the situation with an objective eye. They can also provide guidance and coping skills to deal with the range of emotions associated with pregnancy and childbirth. Your therapist will also be able to collaborate with your doctor or midwife to provide referrals and care. This way you can find a reproductive psychiatrist who is an expert in using antidepressant or anti-anxiety medication safely during pregnancy.
Find Support During Your Perinatal Period with Perinatal Therapy in Washington, DC
Discover effective ways to cope with and manage the challenges of your perinatal journey. It is possible to find joy and fulfillment in your perinatal experience, even if you have faced medical trauma. Working with a therapist for women in Washington, DC can guide you in cultivating mindfulness and resilience to navigate your experience and create the life you desire. At Greater Washington DC and New York City CBT Counseling for Women, I specialize in helping women through medical trauma, birth trauma, and complex trauma helping them embark on a path to healing. Together we can through this and help you start thriving again. Follow the steps below to get started on your journey to healing.
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Other Mental Health Services Offered at Greater Washington DC and New York City CBT Counseling for Women
You are expecting or you are a new mother and this time can be filled with many emotions, hopes, and dreams. Having a therapist for women in Washington, DC, or New York City to help you feel validated, heard, and understood can be beneficial. Hi, I'm Kelsey Bates! I specialize in women’s health, which means I offer several mental health services geared toward helping women cope with medical trauma. At Greater Washington DC and New York City CBT Counseling for Women, I offer an array of therapeutic services for anxiety, depression, and PTSD in both Individual and Group counseling settings. I also specialize in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Processing Therapy in addition to CBT.