There is no single “right” way to feel during pregnancy, after childbirth, or while adjusting to life with another child. At Family Therapy Group of Weston, maternal mental health counseling offers a compassionate place to slow down, make sense of your experiences and receive support for the person you are becoming.
Maternal Mental Health Is About More Than Postpartum Depression
Becoming a mother can bring love, joy and connection alongside uncertainty, grief, fear, exhaustion or moments of disconnection. Pregnancy and postpartum changes can affect identity, confidence, body image, relationships, work and the dynamics of the whole family. Some women are also navigating fertility challenges, IVF, pregnancy loss or difficult birth experiences.
The belief that mothers should instinctively know what to do—or handle every responsibility on their own—can create unnecessary pressure. Adjustment takes time.
Seeking support does not mean you are failing; it means your needs matter, too.
When Might Maternal Mental Health Counseling Help?
You do not need to reach a breaking point to ask for support. Therapy may be helpful if you are:
Feeling anxious, sad, overwhelmed or unlike yourself on a regular basis
Struggling with changes in your identity, body or sense of confidence
Experiencing worry about your baby, fear of leaving home or pressure to control every detail
Finding it difficult to express your needs, ask for help or feel supported by your partner
Navigating changes in intimacy, parenting expectations or family relationships
Processing infertility, pregnancy loss, fertility treatment or a challenging birth experience
Adjusting to returning to work—or deciding what comes next professionally
Noticing that old family experiences or childhood memories are resurfacing
A Safe Place to Reconnect With Yourself
Maternal mental health therapy is not about telling you how to be a mother. It is about giving you space to explore your emotions, recognize your strengths and identify what support would make everyday life more manageable.
Depending on your goals, therapy may include grounding and breathing exercises, mindfulness, cognitive behavioral strategies and narrative work. Together, you and your therapist can examine the expectations you have carried, develop a more compassionate perspective, and practice communicating your needs to the people around you.
Counseling can also help you reflect on your birth experience, reconnect with your body and navigate relationship changes with greater awareness. Your care is individualized, and when additional medical or psychiatric support is needed, coordination with the appropriate healthcare professionals may be recommended.
What you can work toward:
- Understanding and responding to emotions with more compassion
- Feeling less alone and more comfortable requesting support
- Strengthening communication with partners and family
- Making room for your needs alongside your responsibilities
- Exploring your evolving sense of identity without pressure to have it all figured out
A message for mothers
“Making time for yourself is not selfish. It is part of building this new version of you, one that also makes space for her own needs.”
— Monica Arroyo, LCSW
Founder & Clinical Director
Frequently Asked Questions
Meet a clinician offering this service
Jessica Rotterman
Registered Marriage and Family Therapist Intern
Jessica supports women navigating pregnancy, postpartum adjustment, maternal anxiety, depression, and the emotional challenges of motherhood. She is currently completing specialized training in perinatal mental health through Postpartum Support International (PSI) and pursuing her Perinatal Mental Health Certification (PMH-C).