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.