IN PERSON & ONLINE THERAPY FOR PATIENTS IN CALIFORNIA

Pregnancy and Postpartum

INDIVIDUALS & COUPLES

 

Perinatal and Reproductive Mental Health

Therapy for those who are pregnant, want to be pregnant, or are recovering after pregnancy.

When people think about the emotional impact of building a family, they often focus on the potential positive outcomes. However, the journey to growing your family can be complicated, uncertain, and challenging. While there is growing awareness about postpartum depression following the birth of your child, the full spectrum of difficulties people face while trying to conceive, during pregnancy, and after birth is less commonly discussed. In fact, people may experience anxiety, sadness, trauma, grief, and more both during pregnancy and postpartum. Those who have faced difficulties while growing their family and those who have experienced loss along the way often face unique emotional challenges. In addition, the journey of parenthood can be a beautiful and transformative experience, but it can also bring new or unexpected challenges. This can contribute to feelings of isolation and loneliness during this important time of your life.

You are not alone, and you can feel better with the right supports in place.

Maybe you’re noticing:

  • Crying more often than usual

  • Feeling anxious, worried, or on edge

  • Decreased interest in previously enjoyed activities

  • Intrusive thoughts about something bad happening to yourself and/or your baby

  • Feeling disconnected from yourself, your partner, or your baby

  • Strong emotional reactions when thinking about your pregnancy and/or birth experience

  • Avoiding thinking about your birth experience or difficulty focusing on things other than your birth experience

  • Difficulty with breastfeeding or strong emotional reactions to your breastfeeding journey

Therapy can help you not just survive, but thrive.

 

SPECIAL FOCUS AREAS

Pregnancy and child loss: Many people shy away from talking about pregnancy and child loss (miscarriage, termination for medical reasons, stillbirth, or infant loss), which can make these experiences particularly isolating and lonely. Pregnancy and child loss is a unique type of loss that can feel especially complicated, as you are often grieving not only the devastating loss of your child but also many secondary losses (e.g., loss of innocence about pregnancy, loss of trust in your body, loss of hope about the future of your family and parenthood journey, loss of what you imagined for your future, etc.). Therapy can be a safe space to help you process your loss and move forward with your grief in a meaningful way.

Termination for Medical Reasons (TFMR): Terminating a pregnancy for medical reasons (TFMR) is a unique form of pregnancy loss. Parents who experience TFMR often face stigma, which can make an already difficult journey even more painful. As a certified TFMR specialist, Dr. Jordan can support you with processing your decision, navigating grief, fostering self-compassion, reconnecting with your partner or support system, finding ways to continue honoring your baby in a meaningful way, rediscover joy, and navigating family building after loss. Through therapy specifically focused on navigating TFMR, you can build a life worth living, even without your baby in it.

Birth trauma: 1 in 3 women describe their birth experience as traumatic, and approximately 9% of women experience postpartum post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following childbirth. If you had a traumatic experience, you may notice yourself avoiding thinking about the birth or you may notice that all you can think about is the birth. Therapy can be a safe space to help you process your birth experience, so you can experience joy in motherhood and potentially prepare for future pregnancy/birth experiences.

Pregnancy after loss: Pregnancy after loss can bring a mix of emotions. You may be feeling excited, anxious, worried, hopeful, and/or fearful. You may also notice that your grief associated with your reproductive journey or prior losses feels stronger during pregnancy after loss, which can be confusing and complicated. Therapy can be a safe space to process these feelings and learn additional coping skills to manage understandable anxiety during this potentially challenging time. In addition, therapy during pregnancy after loss can help you find ways to continue to honor your loss and grief while also remaining hopeful about the possibility of a different outcome in the future.

All versions of family are welcome and respected at Minds in Bloom Psychology.

Therapy can help you:

  • Rediscover and reconnect with yourself

  • Process difficult emotions associated with pregnancy, birth, and postpartum experiences

  • Build a life that aligns with your values

  • Thrive in parenthood

  • Build a deeper, more fulfilling relationship with your partner

  • Feel more present with your child/children and other loved ones

Get started today.

  • Schedule phone consultation

    Schedule a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation with Dr. Jordan.

  • Learn more about Minds in Bloom Psychology

    Learn more about therapy with Dr. Jordan and share your difficulties and preferences.

  • Start therapy

    Start therapy at Bloom Dr. Jordan’s conveniently located office in Palo Alto, or start teletherapy from the comfort of your own space, at a time that is convenient for you and your family.

Get started today

The journey to growing your family can bring challenges.

I’M HERE TO SUPPORT YOU AS YOU NAVIGATE THEM.

FAQS

Common questions about therapy for pregnancy and postpartum

  • Yes, I do offer couple’s therapy. While pregnancy and postpartum can be a special time, these experiences can also bring challenges that can impact your relationship with your partner. When couples experience fertility struggles or pregnancy loss, in particular, each partner may respond and grieve differently. Navigating new parenthood is a major adjustment and can put a strain on our relationships, wether this is your first child or adjusting to welcoming another child). Couples therapy can be a way to work through these challenges together, increase your understanding of one another, learn new ways to best support one another, restore intimacy, and deepen your connection.

  • While many women find it optimal to attend their appointments without their child present, I recognize that this is not always possible and you may not have the support and resources to do this. You are welcome to feed, hold, or tend to your newborn during your appointments as needed. I am here to support you in your parenthood journey.