What Does a PMH-C Therapist Do—and Do I Really Need One If I’m Just Feeling Off?

You are officially a parent—Yay! But maybe you find that you’re frazzled, completely stretched thin, exhausted. Maybe your mood has done a total 180 on you, or maybe you are feeling increasingly anxious since becoming a parent. Perhaps you are having feelings of regret or shame. You find yourself searching for a therapist for postpartum depression, pregnancy anxiety, or maybe someone to help with your postpartum anger. You’re googling things like:

• “Why do I feel so overwhelmed after having a baby?”

• “Is it postpartum depression or am I just exhausted?”

• “I feel disconnected from my baby. What’s wrong with me?”

And maybe you’ve come across therapists with “PMH-C” after their name, but you’re not so sure what the heck that means.

Here’s the truth:
If you’re feeling frazzled, anxious, sad, angry, or just “off” during pregnancy or postpartum—it matters who you talk to.

Working with a PMH-C certified perinatal therapist means getting support from someone who specializes in what you’re going through.

You might be wondering:
What does that even mean?
And more importantly:
Does it really matter for the support I’m looking for?

The short answer: Yes—it matters a lot.
Here’s why.

What Is a PMH-C Therapist?

PMH-C stands for Perinatal Mental Health-Certified.

This certification is offered by Postpartum Support International (PSI) and tells you that the therapist has:

• Completed specialized training in perinatal mental health

• Passed a national certification exam

• Continues education in evidence-based support for all parents

• Knows how to support people through the emotional challenges of pregnancy, postpartum, fertility struggles, and loss, and more

You can view my certification on the PSI provider directory here if you’d like to learn more.

What does perinatal mean?

The term perinatal refers to the entire period from conception through the first year after birth including:

• Trying to conceive (including IVF, IUI, or fertility struggles)

• Pregnancy (whether planned or not)

• Birth and delivery

• Postpartum (the first year after giving birth)

• Parenting adjustments and identity changes

• Losses such as miscarriage, stillbirth, or termination

So when we say perinatal mental health, we’re talking about the full emotional journey that can come with:

• Hormonal shifts

• Body changes

• Relationship stress

• Identity confusion

• Grief, fear, or guilt

• And a whole lot of “I wasn’t expecting this” moments

A PMH-C therapist understands all of that and is trained to help you feel grounded, supported, and less alone through it.

Why Seeing a PMH-C Certified Therapist Matters

Here’s what makes working with a PMH-C therapist different:

1. Expert Support for Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs)

PMH-C therapists are trained to recognize and treat PMADs, including:

• Postpartum depression (PPD)

• Postpartum anxiety (PPA)

• Perinatal OCD (often with distressing intrusive thoughts)

• Postpartum rage

• Post-traumatic stress after birth

These symptoms are common, treatable, and nothing to be ashamed of, but they require a therapist who knows how to spot them and respond appropriately.

2. Trauma-Informed and Identity-Aware Care

Pregnancy, birth, and new parenthood can stir up old wounds, trauma, or identity shifts. A PMH-C therapist is trained to provide nonjudgmental, compassionate care during these moments, and can support you whether you’re:

• Grieving a miscarriage

• Healing from a traumatic birth

• Struggling with feeding or sleep deprivation

• Navigating identity shifts as a new parent

• Exploring gender, queerness, or body autonomy through a perinatal lens

3. Support Beyond the Birthing Parent

Whether you're a non-gestational parent, partner, or LGBTQIA+ family, a PMH-C therapist understands the whole family system, and not just the individual giving birth. Your experience matters, too.

Why Not All Therapists Are Equipped for Perinatal Work

Even excellent therapists may not be trained in perinatal-specific challenges, such as:

• Normal vs. clinical intrusive thoughts

• The emotional toll of infant feeding struggles

• How hormone shifts impact mood

• Sleep deprivation’s effect on mental health

• Relationship challenges after baby arrives

A PMH-C therapist is trained specifically in these areas, so you don’t have to explain or educate your provider while you’re already struggling.

How I Integrate My PMH-C Certification into Therapy

As a PMH-C certified therapist, I help individuals and couples navigate:

• Pregnancy and postpartum mood changes

• Parenting transitions and identity shifts

• Fertility grief, pregnancy loss, and birth trauma

• LGBTQIA+ family building and inclusive perinatal care

• Relationship struggles after baby arrives

I integrate proven, evidence-based approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Gottman Method Couples Therapy all through a trauma-informed, inclusive, and perinatal-aware lens.

FAQs About PMH-C

Is PMH-C the same as being a licensed therapist?

No, it’s an additional specialty certification that builds on a therapist’s license. It means your therapist has gone beyond general training to specialize in perinatal emotional health.

Can PMH-C therapists treat partners or dads, too?

Absolutely. Partners also experience anxiety, depression, and adjustment struggles, and a PMH-C therapist is trained to support the entire family system. Studies show 1 in 10 dads experience postpartum depression.

Where can I learn more?

Visit Postpartum Support International for more on PMADs, support groups, and resources.

You Deserve the Right Kind of Support

Thoughts I Hear Often:

• “I feel like I’m failing at being a mom/dad/parent.”

• “I miss who I used to be.”

• “I’m scared to tell anyone how bad I feel.”

• “My relationship is falling apart since the baby came.”

• “I don’t even know what I need. I just know I’m not okay.”

If any of these resonate, you’re not alone, and you’re not broken.
You’re just in a chapter that deserves real support.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, anxious, disconnected, or not like yourself during pregnancy or postpartum, you don’t have to wait until things get worse. With help, you will be well.

Working with a PMH-C certified therapist means working with someone who truly gets it. If you're even asking the question, it’s worth exploring

Ready to talk?

Schedule an initial session to see if I’m the right fit, or to reach out with any questions.
I’d be honored to support you.

Not sure if I’m the right fit?
You can also view my verified listing on the PSI provider directory.

Let’s help you feel like yourself again… whatever that looks like now.

Navigating Postpartum: 5 Signs You Could Benefit from Therapy

The postpartum period is often described as a time of joy, bonding, and new beginnings. But for many new parents, it's also a time filled with emotional ups and downs, identity shifts, and deep exhaustion. If you're finding this stage harder than you expected, you're not alone, and even better, it doesn’t mean anything is wrong with you.

As a therapist who specializes in perinatal mental health, I work with many parents of many backgrounds who are struggling in the weeks and months after childbirth. If you're wondering whether what you're feeling is "normal," here are five signs that you might benefit from extra support during this season of life.

1. You Feel Overwhelmed More Often Than Not

Some level of overwhelm is expected when you're caring for a newborn. But if you're feeling persistently anxious, panicked, or like you're barely hanging on, that might be a sign to reach out. Therapy can help you slow down and learn strategies to manage daily stressors, especially when everything feels like too much.

2. You're Struggling to Bond with Your Baby

Many people assume bonding with a baby happens instantly, but that’s not always the case. If you're feeling disconnected, numb, frustrated, unsure, or even resentful about your baby, know that you’re not alone. These feelings are common and often unspoken truths for many parents. Therapy provides a space to explore those feelings without judgment and to begin healing any emotional barriers that may be in the way.

3. You Feel a Deep Sense of Sadness or Guilt

If you find yourself crying often, feeling hopeless, or questioning your worth as a parent, these could be signs of postpartum depression. Feelings of guilt, shame, or “I should be enjoying this” are common but can become heavy to carry. In therapy, we can unpack those thoughts together and help you reconnect with yourself.

4. You're Not Sleeping or Eating Well…Even When You Have the Chance

Sleep and nutrition are often disrupted after having a baby, but if you're unable to rest or nourish yourself even when the opportunity arises, that could be a red flag. Therapy can help identify what's going on beneath the surface and provide practical tools to support your well-being.

5. You Feel Like You’ve Lost Yourself

Becoming a parent can shift your sense of identity in major ways. If you feel like you don’t recognize yourself anymore or feel detached from the person or identity you were before birth, that’s something worth exploring. Therapy can support you in reconnecting with who you are, and who you’re becoming.

How Therapy Can Help

As a perinatal mental health certified (PMH-C) therapist, I offer a space that is nonjudgmental, affirming, and grounded in trauma-informed care. Whether you're navigating postpartum anxiety, depression, grief, or simply trying to adjust to this new chapter, therapy can help you feel less alone and more equipped to cope. I offer my services to all parents, which includes birthing and non-birthing parents.

Through approaches like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), and mindfulness-based strategies, we can work together to help you find stability, clarity, and confidence again. We will also tap into exploring and understanding your support systems, new and old. You do not have to face this alone. If you would like to read more about how Bloom Within Counseling supports postpartum mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs), during pregnancy and after, read more here.

What to Expect from Virtual Therapy

At Bloom Within Counseling, all sessions are offered virtually to clients across Tennessee. This allows you to access support from the comfort of your home, without having to arrange childcare or leave the house. Sessions are flexible and tailored to meet you where you are, emotionally and practically. This means you and your baby are welcomed and encouraged to meet with me in sessions and to come as you are.

With Help You Will Be Well: You're Not Alone Support Is Here

If any part of this post resonates with you, I invite you to reach out. Whether you’re in the thick of postpartum emotions or just starting to notice something feels off, therapy can be a valuable part of your healing journey.

Schedule an appointment to see if we might be a good fit. You're doing more than enough and you deserve support too.