When Should You Schedule to Speak with a Maternal Mental Health Therapist in Palm Desert?

Thoughts from Your Therapist Palm Desert

As a therapist in Palm Desert, I know that Maternal Mental Health Specialists are essential to improving the lives of mothers and their families in this community. Mothers who are struggling with their mental health might have more difficulty attuning to their infants, enjoying their time together and/or responding to their child's emotional needs in a consistent and nurturing manner. Obtaining support during this transition can begin to shift generations of family dynamics.

Your Path to Motherhood 

Seeking the support of a therapist in Palm Desert before and during pregnancy is a valuable step for many individuals and couples who are considering parenthood or already expecting a child. This blog discusses why connecting with a therapist during this time can be beneficial.

Exploring Parenthood

Many people have questions and concerns about becoming parents. Talking to a therapist can provide a safe and non-judgmental space to explore your feelings, expectations, and any fears or doubts you may have about parenthood. Remember that seeking therapy doesn't mean you're inadequate or incapable of being a parent. It's a proactive step towards ensuring that you are mentally and emotionally prepared for the challenges and joys that parenthood brings. Your therapist in Palm Desert can provide valuable guidance, tools, and a compassionate, non-judgmental space to help you address your concerns and make informed choices as you embark on this significant life journey.

Past Parenting Experiences

Adverse childhood events can impact the way a parent interacts with their children

Your own experiences of being parented can influence your parenting style and approach. A therapist can help you understand how your upbringing might affect your parenting choices and work with you to make conscious decisions about the type of parent you want to be. Therapy is not about blaming your parents or dwelling on the past. It's about gaining insight into how your upbringing has influenced you and making proactive choices to create a positive and nurturing environment for your own child. By working with a therapist, you can enhance your self-awareness and parenting skills, ultimately helping you become the kind of parent you want to be for your child.

Mental Health Support

Pregnancy and the postpartum period can be emotionally challenging. If you have a history of depression, anxiety, or childhood trauma, it's important to proactively address these issues with a therapist. They can help you develop coping strategies and support systems to reduce the risk of mental health challenges during and after pregnancy. Taking a proactive steps toward ensuring that you have the tools and support you need to navigate the emotional challenges of pregnancy and the postpartum period successfully. It's a sign of strength and self-awareness to seek help when facing such significant life changes, and it can ultimately lead to a healthier and more fulfilling experience for both you and your child.

Relationship Dynamics

Parenthood can impact your relationship with your partner. Couples therapy during pregnancy can help improve communication, manage conflicts, and strengthen your relationship before the added stress of caring for a newborn. Preventing postpartum relationship stress is often one of the largest reasons to consider couples therapy in pregnancy. Preparing for the impact of a new baby on your relationship is crucial and couples therapy can equip you with tools to navigate the added stressors and demands of parenthood. Strengthening your relationship during pregnancy provides a solid foundation for co-parenting. A strong partnership can contribute to a more supportive and stable environment for your child. The skills and insights gained through couples therapy during pregnancy can continue to benefit your relationship well beyond the postpartum period. These skills are valuable as you both adapt to the evolving dynamics of family life. Couples therapy is not only for couples experiencing severe relationship issues; it can also be a proactive step to enhance an already healthy partnership. By investing in your relationship before the added stress of caring for a newborn, you increase your chances of navigating the challenges of parenthood together successfully and building a resilient, loving family unit.

Postpartum Planning

Though there is so much emphasis on creating baby registries and building a nursery, it is equally important to make a plan for what will happen once baby arrives. Exploring what you envision the early postpartum days to look like, who you want to be part of those days and in what capacity, who is part of your support network and how you will ask for support for them are just as important as the colors in the nursery and the items on the baby registry. A therapist can assist you in creating a plan that includes self-care strategies, social support networks, and strategies for managing the potential stressors that come with a new baby.

Early Intervention

Identifying and addressing any emotional or psychological challenges early can prevent them from escalating into more significant issues. Some untreated mental health issues can have long-term effects on both the parent and the child. Early intervention can mitigate these effects and contribute to more positive long-term outcomes. Additionally, early intervention can help you build emotional resilience, which is valuable not only during the postpartum period but also throughout your child's upbringing. Resilience allows you to adapt to life's challenges with greater ease. Early intervention can lead to better outcomes for both you and your child.

Establishing a Therapeutic Relationship

Meeting with a therapist in Palm Desert before your baby's arrival allows you to establish a therapeutic relationship and build trust. This can be beneficial if you ever need support or counseling during the postpartum period.

Remember that seeking therapy in Palm Desert is a sign of strength and self-awareness. It can be a valuable resource for anyone navigating the complex journey of parenthood. If you're considering therapy during pregnancy, be sure you are researching and reaching out to licensed therapists or counselors who specialize in perinatal mental health. They can provide guidance and support tailored to your unique needs and circumstances.

Sometimes It’s Hard to Share with Friends and Family

Having a baby can be an amazing time in a woman’s life. Watching a growing bump, being doted on by passersby who all want to hear about your new plans, daydreaming about the imminent addition to the family can contribute to feelings of excitement and anticipation. But, sometimes this time can be eclipsed by feelings of loss, worry or grief. It is a time many women experience anxiety and/or sadness as they consider what the future may hold and reflect on previous periods of their life that are now coming to a close. Whether a mom-to-be feels prepared or not, it is a significant emotional and psychological life adjustment for the mother, the partner and the entire family.

You Need a Trained Professional 

It is not surprising that many women feel ashamed to express feelings that may run countercurrent to anything but a state of joy in the months leading up to and after their birthing experience. What is surprising, however, is the high number of women who suffer in silence, both in pregnancy and postpartum, because they believe themselves to be the only ones. Many people are aware of the “baby blues,” a term meant to explain the hormonal and physiological changes occurring in the two weeks following a mother’s birth, but even this term can be misleading. The baby blues are still a significant moment of vulnerability for a new mother, and require a supportive social network to nurture not just the baby, but the healing mother as well. As high as 80% of women experience the baby blues, which can include mild mood fluctuations, tearfulness, irritability and anxiety after giving birth. This is quite common and resolves in about two weeks. If symptoms last longer than two weeks or become more intense, this could be a sign of a more serious condition.

Therapist Palm Desert, Lauren Fox, LCSW works exclusively with Maternal Mental Health

I hope this blog about when to seek help from a Maternal Mental Health therapist was helpful for you. If you are looking for a perinatal and/or postpartum therapist, reach out to me! We can schedule a 15 minute phone consultation to discuss what is happening for you and explore if more individualized mental health support could be beneficial for you. I would be happy to help get you connected. Feel free to call me at 805-930-9355 for a free 15 minute phone consultation. If you are looking for help with pregnancy, postpartum, pregnancy loss, infertility, birth trauma, hypnotherapy, or new mothers support groups, you can read more about how I can help within this website.

Serving the Coachella Valley and surrounding areas, including: Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, Indian Wells, Thousand Palms, Palm Desert, La Quinta, Indio, Bermuda Dunes, Coachella, Thermal, Mecca, Desert Hot Springs, Yucca Valley, Joshua Tree and virtually across the state of California.

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