WHAT WE HELP WITH
Perinatal & Postpartum Mental Health
in person for Lubbock, TX and virtually for all of Texas
Whether you're struggling during pregnancy or after your baby arrives — with depression, anxiety, OCD, or something harder to name — this is not a reflection of how much you love your baby. It means you need support. And you deserve it.
Accepting new clients --- Most Insurances Accepted
WHAT PERINATAL & POSTPARTUM STRUGGLES FEEL LIKE
Does This Sound Like You?
Perinatal and postpartum mental health challenges can start during pregnancy or emerge months after delivery. They show up as depression, anxiety, OCD, and more — and they're all treatable. You might recognize some of these:
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You feel sad, empty, or hopeless most of the time — even though you "should" feel happy
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You're overwhelmed, irritable, or crying more than you'd expect
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You feel disconnected from your baby, your partner, or yourself — like you're watching your life from behind glass
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You're terrified something will happen to your baby and can't stop the intrusive thoughts
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Sleep deprivation is making everything harder, and you can't rest even when you get the chance
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You feel like a bad mother, or like your baby would be better off with someone else
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You've lost interest in things you used to enjoy and just feel like you're going through the motions
This is not your fault. Perinatal and postpartum mental health conditions are medical conditions — not a reflection of how much you love your baby.
OUR APPROACH
How We Help with Perinatal & Postpartum Mental Health
Perinatal mental health conditions — those that arise during pregnancy or in the first year after birth — are the most common complication of childbirth, affecting up to 1 in 5 mothers. They include postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, postpartum OCD, and perinatal depression and anxiety that begin during pregnancy. All of these are real, recognized, and highly treatable. The key is working with a therapist who understands the full landscape: the hormonal shifts, the sleep deprivation, the identity changes, the relationship pressures, and the complicated emotions that come with a new kind of love.
Peripartum awareness means we don't wait until after delivery to offer support. If you're pregnant and already struggling — with anxiety, depression, OCD-like thoughts, or fear about what's coming — therapy during pregnancy can prevent symptoms from escalating postpartum and builds a foundation of coping skills before the hardest weeks arrive. We welcome clients at any point in the perinatal period: trying to conceive, pregnant, or postpartum.
Postpartum Depression: CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) is the most well-researched treatment, helping you challenge the distorted thoughts — “I’m a terrible mother,” “Something is wrong with me” — that fuel the depression. ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) is especially helpful for the relentless guilt and self-judgment many new mothers carry, supporting you in reconnecting with your values and sense of self.
Postpartum Anxiety: Anxiety after birth is actually more common than depression — and is often missed. It can look like constant worry about your baby’s safety, inability to rest, physical tension, or a feeling that something terrible is about to happen. CBT targets the worry patterns directly, and mindfulness-based approaches help regulate the nervous system.
Postpartum OCD: Intrusive thoughts about harm coming to your baby — while deeply distressing — are a hallmark of postpartum OCD, not a sign of danger. ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention), the gold-standard treatment for OCD, is adapted for the postpartum context and is highly effective at reducing these thoughts and the compulsions (checking, avoiding, seeking reassurance) that maintain them.
When perinatal or postpartum experiences are connected to a difficult birth, pregnancy loss, infertility, or trauma history, EMDR can be a powerful part of treatment — addressing the traumatic roots that amplify your symptoms. We also attend to the relational dimensions: how this period is affecting your partnership and your bond with your baby. Using approaches like EFT (Emotionally Focused Therapy), we help strengthen those connections as part of your recovery. You don't have to keep white-knuckling through this.
Perinatal mental health conditions are the most common complication of childbirth — and with the right support, most people recover fully.
1 in 5 mothers experience a perinatal mental health condition — depression, anxiety, or OCD during pregnancy or postpartum. All are treatable.
THE PROCESS
What to Expect
Step 1: Reach Out
Fill out our short contact form or call us. We'll follow up within one business day to answer questions and get you scheduled.
Step 2: Your First Session
Your therapist will take time to understand your history, what's been hard, and what you're hoping to get out of therapy. No pressure, no homework — just conversation.
Step 3: Start Making Progress
Together, you'll build practical tools to interrupt thought and behavior patterns. Most clients notice a shift in how they respond to stress within the first few sessions.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Frequently Asked Questions
Is what I'm feeling postpartum depression or just the "baby blues"? __ The baby blues are very common — affecting up to 80% of new mothers — and typically resolve within two weeks of delivery. Postpartum depression is more persistent, more intense, and significantly affects your ability to function. If you've been struggling for more than two weeks, or if your symptoms are severe, it's worth talking to someone. You don't have to meet a specific threshold to reach out — if you're suffering, you deserve support.
I'm having scary thoughts about hurting my baby. Does that mean I'm dangerous? __ Intrusive thoughts — unwanted, disturbing thoughts about harm — are actually very common in postpartum depression and anxiety, and they are not the same as wanting to act on them. Most mothers who experience these thoughts are horrified by them, which is itself a sign that you don't want to harm your baby. That said, these thoughts are a signal that you need support, and a therapist experienced in postpartum mental health can help. If you ever feel like you might act on them, please call 988 or go to your nearest emergency room.
What is peripartum depression and anxiety--and how is it different from postpartum? __ "Peripartum" refers to the full window around birth — during pregnancy and up to a year after delivery. "Postpartum" specifically means after birth. Many people assume mental health struggles only start after the baby arrives, but depression and anxiety frequently begin during pregnancy. In fact, perinatal depression is as common during pregnancy as it is after. Treating symptoms that begin in pregnancy — rather than waiting — leads to better outcomes for both mother and baby. We welcome clients at any point in the perinatal period.
Does postpartum depression affect father and non-birthing partners too? __ Yes. Research shows that up to 1 in 10 fathers and non-birthing partners also experience postpartum depression. The stressors of new parenthood, sleep deprivation, and the shift in relationship dynamics affect everyone in the family. We welcome all new parents, regardless of gender or birth role.
Will I have to take medication? __ That's entirely your decision. Therapy alone is effective for many people with postpartum depression, particularly mild to moderate cases. For more severe symptoms, a combination of therapy and medication often produces the best outcomes. We don't prescribe medication, but we can coordinate with your OB, midwife, or psychiatrist if that's the path you choose.
I'm breastfeeding. Does that affect my treatment options? __ It's something worth discussing with your prescribing provider if medication is part of your plan — many medications are considered safe during breastfeeding, but this is a personal decision best made with medical guidance. Therapy itself has no impact on breastfeeding and is completely safe.
What's the difference between postpartum anxiety and postpartum depression? __ Postpartum anxiety is actually more common than postpartum depression, but it’s less often recognized. While postpartum depression typically involves persistent sadness, emptiness, loss of interest, and low energy, postpartum anxiety shows up as constant, hard-to-control worry — often about your baby’s safety, health, or your own ability to cope. Physical symptoms like racing heart, chest tightness, and inability to sleep (even when you have the chance) are common. Many people experience both at the same time. Both are treatable, and it’s important to name what you’re actually experiencing so the right approach can be used.
What if I felt this way after a previous pregnancy too? __ A history of postpartum depression is a risk factor for experiencing it again. If this isn't your first time, please reach out early — ideally even during pregnancy. Early intervention leads to better outcomes and shorter recovery. You don't have to wait until things get bad.
What is postpartum OCD, and how do I know if that's what I have? __ Postpartum OCD involves unwanted, intrusive thoughts — usually about accidental or intentional harm coming to your baby — that feel horrifying and impossible to stop. These thoughts are ego-dystonic, meaning they go completely against what you want and who you are. They are NOT a sign that you are dangerous or that you want to harm your child. In fact, the distress they cause is evidence of how much you love your baby. Postpartum OCD often also involves compulsions: checking on the baby repeatedly, avoiding certain objects, seeking reassurance from a partner, or researching obsessively. The gold-standard treatment is ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention) adapted for the postpartum context, which is highly effective at breaking the OCD cycle. If any of this sounds familiar, please reach out — this is very treatable, and you don’t have to keep suffering in silence.
Do you offer telehealth for perinatal and postpartum support? __ Yes — and we know how hard it is to leave the house with a newborn. Telehealth allows you to access support from your home, on a schedule that works for you. We offer telehealth to clients anywhere in Texas, both during pregnancy and postpartum.
How do I get started? You can reach out through our contact page or click the Get Started button to request an appointment. Taking that first step is often the hardest part — I'm glad you're here.