Postpartum Therapy

Exhaustion, Anxiety, and Scary Thoughts—Postpartum Is Not What You Expected

It’s 2 a.m., and you still can’t sleep, even though the baby is actually asleep. You’re so tired, but you keep waking up to check on her, just to make sure she’s still breathing. You’ve seen so many reels about SIDS and babies dying, and it makes you feel like it could happen to anyone. You know sleep is important, but the stakes feel too high. You can sacrifice your sleep to make sure she’s okay every few hours, and you’ll just nap tomorrow when she naps—except, you never really nap. There’s always too much to get done while she’s sleeping. Instead of napping, you often end up scrolling on your phone, wasting that precious time anyway. You know you need a break, but the thought of being away from her for more than a few minutes feels unbearable. You feel guilty for needing that break, even though you know it’s necessary just to take a shower. But then, you worry: What if she does something new for the first time while you’re gone? What if your partner can’t calm her if she starts crying and she doesn’t stop?

A few months in, and everything still feels so hard. Why didn’t anyone tell you how hard this would be? On top of that, you keep having scary thoughts like, “What if my baby drowns while I’m giving her a bath?” or “What if I accidentally hurt him with the knife while I’m cooking?” You know these things probably won’t happen, but you can’t help but wonder, “What’s wrong with me?” “Does having these thoughts make me a bad mom?” You feel like you need to ask someone about this, but you don’t feel comfortable talking to other moms or your doctor. What if they overreact, send you to a psych ward, or even call Child Protective Services?

The Benefits of Postpartum Therapy online in Roseville, CA

Hi, I am Brittany Sallaberry, a therapist in Roseville, CA for pregnant and postpartum moms. I help pregnant and postpartum moms feel like they’re not alone in this journey, and help them understand a lot of what they’re feeling is common. I help them feel less anxious or depressed by helping them trust their mom-tuition, feel more self-assured, and sort out all of these conflicting emotions. I know realistically self-care can be hard, and together we talk through how to get your needs met AND how to manage the mom guilt at the same time. With therapy you can build on your confidence and be the mom you know you already are. Although we might share some tears together in therapy, there will also definitely be sarcasm and humor too.  

Why reach out for Postpartum Therapy?

Before becoming a therapist, I worked with moms in labor and delivery, just hours or days after they gave birth. I am also a mom, so I’ve been where you are too. It’s my passion to support you, whether this is your first time, you’re already experienced, or you’ve had a loss.

What will we do in Postpartum Therapy?

My clients typically come to see me weekly for consistent support, helping them start feeling better sooner. In our sessions, I may integrate meditation, teach coping skills, or use something called brainspotting. Sometimes simply just talking to someone and feeling validated in your experiences and emotions can help. Occasionally, I’ll assign homework, but only when it’s realistic and manageable for you to complete. Therapy doesn’t have to feel scary or hard; it can feel like a relief—a breath of fresh air after a long struggle.

Next steps to get started with counseling:

If you’re ready to stop feeling alone with your scary thoughts, anxieties, or tears, please contact me, and we can schedule your FREE 15-minute consultation. You can also just call or text me directly at (530) 628-9753. Pregnancy & postpartum counseling with the right person- someone who’s been exactly where you are- can make all the difference today and tomorrow for both you and your baby.

Contact me today for your free 15-minute phone consultation for Postpartum Therapy in Roseville, CA

Frequently asked Questions about Postpartum Therapy in Roseville:

  • I think it depends on what’s going on and what your goals are. Often times talk therapy is great to just have someone validating your experience, reassuring you that you’re doing great, and helping you build your confidence. Examples of talk therapy are cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, interpersonal therapy, and psychodynamic therapy. However, this doesn’t mean other types of therapy wouldn’t be effective as well!

  • It depends on who you ask. For example to be diagnosed with postpartum depression, it has to be within the first year after giving birth. But if you ask your medical provider they might say 6-8 weeks. Generally if you’ve had a baby, you are postpartum forever.

  • The baby blues are common (think mood swings and crying) for the first 2-3 weeks. Continued feelings of sadness, crying, disinterest in your baby, and significant changes to your sleep/appetite are not and may be signs of postpartum depression. Obviously your sleep will be different with a new baby, but if the baby is sleeping and you cannot, that might be a clue that more is going on.

  • Please visit Postpartum Support International here: https://postpartum.net/perinatal-mental-health/

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