Postpartum Depression Treatment in
the San Francisco Bay Area
This is not what you thought motherhood would feel like
You aren’t feeling joy with your baby
Being a mom feels like too much
As a mom who had severe postpartum depression, I can tell you that the worst feeling is looking at your baby and thinking, “what have I done?”
I didn’t feel connected to my son. I remember thinking that he’d be so much better off if someone else raised him and that maybe I could see him every once in a while, but I wasn’t cut out for this.
I wanted my life back. I wanted to sleep in again. I wanted to sleep through the night! He had terrible colic, and I couldn’t soothe him; I felt like I was doing everything wrong.
His screams would make me sob, I was exhausted and yet I couldn’t sleep out of fear that he would stop breathing if I took my eyes off of him.
I was snappy, hipervigilant, exhausted and he and I would be crying in that rocking chair for hours at a time. It felt like what I had wanted so badly ended up being my own personalized hell.
The one where I didn’t want to take care of this baby, but I also didn’t trust anyone else to take care of him.
Depressed? No, not me! I’m a therapist, certainly, I would know when I was depressed.
And yet - I screened in on “those” forms at the well-baby checks and I found myself having video visits with a therapist.
She saved us - and after a long road - I finally found myself laughing with him, looking forward to being splashed during bath time and celebrating all of the milestones.
We threw the biggest 1st birthday party for him - not just to celebrate being one year old, but because we made it through the first year.
If this sounds like what you’re going through, please reach out to me - let’s talk and start moving you toward the motherhood you envisioned. It might not feel like it right now, but I can promise you that it is possible.
Common Symptoms of Postpartum Depression that Every New Mom Should Know
Spotting postpartum depression early can make a world of difference for your recovery. These aren't just the regular ups and downs that come with new motherhood - these symptoms stick around and often get worse over time. Let’s talk about our thoughts, the emotional changes and the physical changes that might surprise you.
Thoughts and feelings that signal postpartum depression
The mind becomes a battlefield for moms with postpartum depression. These thought patterns can take over your daily life:
Persistent guilt and shame about not being a "good enough" mother
Self-doubt and questioning your ability to care for your baby
Feeling worthless or like a failure as a parent
Racing thoughts and difficulty concentrating or making simple decisions
Overwhelming fear that something bad will happen to your baby
Thoughts of escaping or that your family would be better off without you
So many moms have shared with me how ashamed they feel about these thoughts. The shame almost becomes another symptom piled on top of everything else. But here's the truth - approximately 1 in 7 new mothers have these exact same thoughts. They're not character flaws or signs that you're a bad mom. They're symptoms of a real medical condition, just like a fever is a symptom of infection.
Physical symptoms that might surprise you
Postpartum depression isn't just playing with your emotions - it shows up in your body too:
Sleep disturbances - either insomnia or sleeping too much (even when baby sleeps)
Changes in appetite - eating much more or much less than usual
Extreme fatigue beyond normal new-parent tiredness
Physical aches and pains like headaches and stomach problems
Restlessness or feeling physically agitated
Loss of energy that makes even simple tasks feel overwhelming
These physical symptoms often get written off as "normal" postpartum stuff. "Of course you're tired, you just had a baby!" But when these symptoms pile up alongside emotional changes, they're telling an important story that shouldn't be ignored.
Emotional changes to notice
Postpartum depression colors your emotional world in ways that go way beyond normal new-mom feelings:
Persistent sadness or emptiness that doesn't lift
Irritability and anger toward your partner, baby, or other children
Mood swings that are severe and unpredictable
Anxiety that feels constant or overwhelming
Loss of interest in activities you previously enjoyed
Feeling emotionally numb or disconnected from your baby
Withdrawing from friends and family
Baby blues fade away within two weeks. These emotions? They hang around, making daily life feel impossible. That's the key difference you're looking for - persistence and interference with your ability to function.
Warning signs that need immediate attention
Some symptoms shouldn't wait until your next scheduled appointment. Call your doctor right away if you experience:
Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby - although frightening, having these thoughts doesn't mean you'll act on them
Severe anxiety or panic attacks that interfere with caring for yourself or baby
Hearing voices or seeing things that others don't (hallucinations)
Unusual beliefs that feel real but others tell you aren't true (delusions)
Complete inability to sleep for more than a few hours over multiple days
Confusion or difficulty recognizing familiar people or places
Please don't wait if you're experiencing these symptoms. Approximately 9% of maternal deaths are from suicide, making getting help quickly absolutely essential.
Remember: postpartum depression happens to millions of women and it responds well to treatment. Asking for help isn't weakness - it's actually a sign of strength and good mothering.
I know it feels scary right now. The thoughts are terrifying, the emotions overwhelming. But with proper support, you can recover and finally experience the joy in motherhood that you deserve.
Postpartum Depression
Is 100% Treatable!
A Postpartum Depression Therapist in the San Francisco Bay Area Can Help You Enjoy Motherhood!
Are you ready to kick those horrible thoughts and feelings of postpartum depression to the curb?
Imagine finally being able to feel joy in motherhood and embrace those precious moments with your baby!
I have had the privilege of helping many new moms navigate postpartum depression and come out on the other side - enjoying their babies, making memories to last a lifetime, and embracing who they have always wanted to be.
As a postpartum depression therapist here in the San Francisco Bay Area, I am here to support you in bonding with your baby, reclaim who you are, and find confidence in your new role.
I have been down this path.
I truly understand where you are at and how to help you feel like yourself again and become the mom you’ve always wanted to be.
I can’t wait to work with you.
How To Start Reducing Postpartum Depression in Your Life:
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You're already here
We know taking the first step in the hardest.
But, you’re already here.
Let’s get started, we will figure this out - together.
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Complimentary Consultation
We’ll talk for about 20 minutes to make sure we’re on the same page and to ensure I’m the best therapist to help you right now.
Once we know we’re a good fit, we will schedule our first session.
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Start Getting Help for Postpartum Depression Online
We will meet online, talk a little bit about how you’re feeling, I’ll ask some questions about your history and we’ll brainstorm on what you want the future to look like.
We can help with so many things!
Depression treatment isn’t the only online therapy we offer at Bay Area Therapy for Wellness. We are skilled in many different types of therapy that allow us to treat postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, ADHD in women, grief, pregnancy losses, infertility, traumatic birth, NICU stays, parenting and more! We do all of this by offering virtual telehealth sessions for anyone in the state of California.