Therapy for Moms & Moms-to-Be
PREGNANCY & POSTPARTUM SUPPORT: Navigating the emotional journey of motherhood—before and after baby.
For the sleepless nights, growing bellies, and everything in between—we’re here for all of it.
You’re Growing a Life—But Don’t Forget Your Own
Motherhood can be both beautiful and overwhelming. Whether you're adjusting to life with a newborn, navigating the emotional rollercoaster of postpartum changes, or balancing parenting with your own identity, it’s common to feel anxious, isolated, or exhausted. At Empowered Mind, we specialize in supporting moms and moms-to-be through the mental and emotional challenges that often go unseen.
PREGNANCY
Pregnancy is often portrayed as a joyful and glowing experience, but the reality can be far more complex. Many moms to be struggle with emotional ups and downs, anxiety about the health of the baby, body image changes, or fears about labor and parenting. The pressure to "feel excited" can make it even harder to speak openly about the challenges. According to the CDC, about 1 in 8 women in the United States experience symptoms of perinatal depression, while other studies suggest that up to 20% of pregnant women report symptoms of anxiety, depression, or both. These rates are even higher among women of color, or individuals lacking strong social support.
Despite how common these issues are, nearly 50% of women with perinatal mood or anxiety disorders go untreated, due to stigma, lack of awareness, or limited access to care. Stressors such as work demands, medical complications, relationship strain, or past trauma can all contribute to emotional overwhelm during pregnancy. Prioritizing your mental health during this time is critical—not only for your well-being, but also for healthy child development and early bonding. With the right support, it's possible to feel more grounded, connected, and emotionally prepared for the journey ahead.
Why Start Therapy During Pregnancy?
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Pregnancy can heighten emotional distress, including racing thoughts, low mood, or panic attacks.
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Therapy offers a calm, supportive space to help you cope and feel more grounded
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Therapy offers tools to manage fear and build confidence.
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Pregnancy may trigger memories of previous loss, abuse, or medical trauma that deserve support and healing
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Increased tension with a partner, family, or co-parent is common; therapy helps improve communication and connection.
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Therapy provides space to explore hopes, fears, and expectations around becoming a parent or expanding your family.
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Feeling alone or unsupported during pregnancy can increase emotional strain—therapy can help you feel heard and validated
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Individuals with a prior diagnosis of anxiety, depression, OCD, or PTSD may benefit from proactive mental health care.
You’re Taking Care of Everyone. But Who’s Taking Care of You?
POSTPARTUM
NO ONE TRULY EXPLAINS THE IDENTITY CHANGE THAT OCCURS WHEN YOU BECOME A MAMA
The changes happen on so many levels. When your child is born, you are born as a mother. When you become a mom, your brain changes. Research has found that the brains of mothers and fathers change in the postpartum time period to ensure that you can bond with your baby. Isn’t nature really cool? This neurobiological change increases activity in brain regions related to empathy, self-monitoring and reflection and causes heightened emotional responses and desire for deeper connection (with your baby). Aaaand these changes in your brain and hormones tend to have impact on other areas of your life: cognitive challenges like forgetfulness and difficulty concentrating; increased emotional vulnerability, changes in social interactions due to focus on baby and increased susceptibility to depression and anxiety.
Therapy can help you navigate this new identity and make peace with the fact that the old you is gone on some levels. You’re forever changed once you become a mama and although it’s a love that’s out of this world….it can also be sad to let go of certain parts of who you were before. Reach out today if you’re ready to increase your support network while you navigate these changes.
Why Start Therapy After Having Baby?
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Persistent sadness, worry, panic, or emotional numbness are common and treatable with support.
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Struggling to connect emotionally with your infant can cause guilt and confusion
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A difficult or traumatic birth experience may lead to lingering fear, grief, or even PTSD.
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The constant demands of caring for a newborn can lead to mental, physical, and emotional exhaustion. This can be worsened if you have lack of support or feeling isolated.
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Navigating work life balance is so difficult and can make you feel a lot of mom guilt. We can process that in therapy and find a balance between your career goals and the mom you want to be.
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Many new mamas feel unsure of who they are outside of motherhood, leading to confusion or sadness.
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Unrealistic expectations and the pressure to be a “perfect” parent can lead to chronic stress and self-criticism. Guilt about not “enjoying every moment.”
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Therapeutic Approaches Tailored for Pregnant and Postpartum Women
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps women recognize and reframe unhelpful thoughts often experienced in the perinatal period, such as guilt, anxiety, or self-doubt. CBT is especially effective for postpartum depression and anxiety, supporting new and expectant mothers in challenging harmful beliefs and building emotional resilience.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Offers skills for managing emotional intensity that may arise due to hormonal shifts, sleep deprivation, and life changes. DBT supports emotional regulation, stress tolerance, and mindfulness—helping mothers navigate mood fluctuations and relational stress with more stability and self-compassion.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Encourages women to identify their personal values as they adjust to motherhood, helping them make space for difficult emotions without judgment. ACT supports women in staying connected to what matters—such as nurturing, creativity, or independence—while managing the challenges of pregnancy and postpartum life, including societal pressures and systemic barriers.
Trauma-Informed Therapy: Recognizes that pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum can reactivate unresolved trauma—particularly birth trauma, childhood trauma, or obstetric violence. Trauma-informed care provides a compassionate, non-judgmental framework that promotes safety, empowerment, and gentle healing during this vulnerable period.
Culturally Affirmative / Multicultural Therapy: Acknowledges how cultural expectations, generational beliefs, and intersecting identities impact the perinatal experience. This approach creates a validating space where women feel seen in their roles as mothers, daughters, partners, and individuals—honoring both personal and cultural values during this life transition.
Hey mama, you’ve carried so much—your hopes, your fears, your love—and perhaps even some pain that no one fully sees. Whether you’re a new mother, expecting, or somewhere in between, this chapter of life can awaken deep emotions, old wounds, and new pressures. You don’t have to navigate it alone. A consultation call is a safe, judgment-free space to breathe, to be heard, and to begin healing—for you and for the life you're nurturing. Taking this small first step isn’t just for you; it’s a powerful act of care for your future and your family. You deserve support that honors your strength and meets you where you are. Reach out today—you’re worth it.
About Dr. Shaneze Gayle Smith
I specialize in aiding moms with high risk pregnancies, childhood trauma survivors and moms with postpartum depression. I am licensed to provide therapy in person in New York City and virtually in 41 states.
As a therapist experienced in working with mothers navigating trauma, chronic illness and/or high risk pregnancies, I offer a supportive, understanding space where you don’t have to carry it all alone. Having navigated my own birth trauma and chronic illness, I know first hand how past trauma or ongoing health challenges, can make you feel isolated and overwhelmed or unable to enjoy this precious time. I help moms process complex emotions, reduce guilt, and create sustainable ways to care for themselves while caring for others. Together, we’ll explore your experiences at your pace, build resilience, and cultivate a sense of safety and self-compassion so you can show up for yourself and your family in ways that feel authentic and healing.
About Vernee Brooks, LPC, LMHC
Read More About Me
I specialize in working with moms/expectant moms who are sexual trauma survivors, moms with high needs babies (disabilities) and moms suffering from anxiety. I am licensed to provide therapy in New Jersey & Texas.
As a therapist specializing in supporting mothers, I provide a safe, nonjudgmental space where you can untangle the overwhelming thoughts, pressures, and expectations that come with motherhood. I understand the unique emotional weight moms carry—trying to balance nurturing others while managing your own mental health—and I tailor therapy to help you reconnect with yourself, build confidence, and develop practical coping strategies. Through compassionate, evidence-based care, I work alongside you to reduce anxiety and help you feel more grounded, present, and empowered in both your parenting and personal life.
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I mean certainly the messages we’ve seen in media are 100% accurate. Don’t buy into the nonsense. Motherhood is hard and isn’t rainbows and daffodils all the time. Yes, there will be sleepless nights, disagreements with partner, breastfeeding/lactation issues, blowout pampers (all over you-yes my son’s poop has been on me far too many times)….it’s A LOT!
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Yes. Therapy is a judgment-free space where you can express whatever you’re feeling, even the things you think you “shouldn’t” feel.
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If your emotions feel overwhelming, persistent, or interfere with daily life, therapy can help. You don’t have to wait until things feel “bad enough” to seek support.
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That’s a valid reason to seek help. Therapy can help you explore what’s going on beneath the surface and find your way back to feeling more like yourself.