Pregnancy and Fertility Therapy
in Seattle & Bellevue, WA
The challenges associated with becoming pregnant, carrying a child, and going through delivery are often immense. We deeply understand how empty, afraid, traumatized or alone you may feel. We are taught from an early age that becoming a parent is supposed to be a joyful experience. When that promise is missing, life can feel overwhelming. Fortunately, there is compassionate therapy available to help women and couples to navigate these challenges and find their way to the joy they deserve.
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PREMIERE SEATTLE PREGNANCY AND FERTILITY THERAPY CLINIC
Our Empathic Approach to Pregnancy and Fertility Therapy
​​​We are here to help you find a path to joy as you navigate some of life's greatest challenges and pains. Our therapists are available in person or via telehealth. Our approach is comprehensive, nuanced, compassionate, and collaborative. Reach out today to start the road to a better path forward, that embraces intimate connection, authenticity, and mental wellness.
DISCOVER THE PACIFIC BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE DIFFERENCE
Perinatal and Postpartum
Mental Health Care
Motherhood is a beautiful and transformative experience, filled with moments of pure joy, unconditional love, and an unbreakable bond with your child. However, the journey of becoming a mother can also be filled with immense pressure, exhaustion, and unexpected emotional challenges. The physical and hormonal changes, combined with the demands of caring for a newborn, can leave many women feeling overwhelmed, anxious, and even depressed.
Many moms experience struggles with their mental health during pregnancy and the first year postpartum, yet too many women suffer in silence.
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Maternal Mental Health Matters. We are here to help.
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Common Experiences of Perinatal and Postpartum Mental Health Challenges
Postpartum Anxiety
Feeling on edge, overwhelmed by worry? Maybe your mind races a mile a minute, or you struggle to relax. You may have concerns about your baby’s health, the future, or changes in your life can lead to feelings of anxiety. You may even have intrusive thoughts that can feel bizarre and troubling. Perhaps you're experiencing physical symptoms like dizziness or trouble sleeping. These could be signs of postpartum anxiety.
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Postpartum anxiety is common, and it's treatable. Many new moms experience similar worries and anxieties. We understand the challenges you're facing, and we want to help.
Postpartum Depression
Are you feeling down, overwhelmed, or like the joy has gone out of life? Perhaps you're having trouble sleeping or eating, or maybe you're feeling a deep sadness. Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed, becoming easily frustrated, and having difficulty managing your emotions are all common symptoms of postpartum depression. Struggles with attachment or feeling disconnected from your child are also common signs of postpartum depression and make it difficult to bond with your baby. It's important to know that there is help.
Postpartum Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
New motherhood can bring a whirlwind of emotions. Sometimes, worries about your baby can become overwhelming and lead to intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors. Unwanted thoughts or urges about your baby’s safety can be a symptom of perinatal OCD.
Perhaps these thoughts make you feel scared, even though they don't reflect your true feelings. You might also feel compelled to repeat certain actions to manage your anxiety. It's important to know that these experiences don't mean you're a bad mom! Many parents experience these challenges known as postpartum OCD. We can help you manage these intrusive thoughts and behaviors and find peace of mind.
Birth Trauma and Postpartum Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Birth is a powerful and unpredictable experience. While many women have positive deliveries, others encounter unexpected events that can be traumatic. Certain situations, like unplanned C-sections, emergency interventions during delivery, or feeling a lack of support during the process, can contribute to feelings of powerlessness and bring about symptoms of PTSD. Even complications during labor, the need for NICU care for your baby, or simply feeling out of control during the birthing process can leave a painful impact.
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If your childbirth experience left you feeling scared, overwhelmed, or disconnected, you may be suffering from postpartum Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
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Postpartum PTSD can manifest through a range of emotional and physical symptoms. You might experience intrusive thoughts and memories that replay the birth experience vividly. Flashbacks or nightmares of the delivery can disrupt your sleep and leave you feeling restless. The trauma may also lead you to avoid anything related to childbirth, like doctors, or specific memories associated with the event. This can make it difficult to seek help or even talk about what happened. Anxiety, panic attacks, and difficulty sleeping can become common occurrences. These symptoms can create a sense of detachment and emotional numbness, making it hard to connect with your new baby and enjoy motherhood.
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Birth trauma and Postpartum PTSD can be incredibly isolating, but you don't have to navigate this alone. We specialize in helping women process the traumatic experience in a safe and supportive environment, regain control and a sense of control and safety, and reclaim your joy in motherhood.
PREMIERE SEATTLE PREGNANCY AND FERTILITY THERAPY CLINIC
How can Therapy for Pregnancy and Postpartum Help?
Seeking Support Makes You a Strong Mom. Perinatal mental health challenges are not a reflection of your parenting skills or your love for your child. They are simply a sign that you need support. Don’t wait to seek help! Early intervention with therapy can help you start feeling better faster. Treatment can provide you with the tools you need to manage those challenging emotions, fostering a healthier and more nurturing environment for yourself and your family. Seeking therapy isn't a sign of weakness – it's a sign of strength and a commitment to your well-being as a mother.
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At Pacific Behavioral Healthcare, we understand the unique challenges faced by moms experiencing perinatal mental health issues. Our team provides a safe and supportive haven where you can explore your emotions openly and without judgment. Through therapy, you can develop effective coping mechanisms for managing anxiety, stress, and depression.
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We'll also provide you with tools for strengthening communication with your partner and family and explore strategies for building a strong and healthy bond with your baby. Additionally, we'll guide you in developing self-care practices to nurture both your physical and emotional well-being, helping you navigate this important time in your life.
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Motherhood doesn't have to be a lonely journey. With support, you can find joy, rediscover yourself, and create a fulfilling experience for both you and your baby.
DISCOVER THE PACIFIC BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE DIFFERENCE
Fertility Counseling with Compassion
The journey to parenthood can be filled with unexpected challenges. Facing fertility challenges can leave you feeling overwhelmed by stress and grief. Although 1 in 8 couples will experience difficulties conceiving, it is often not openly discussed, leaving individuals to feel isolated and alone. You may be having trouble making decisions about your fertility treatment options or find it hard to communicate with your partner. You may also be grieving the loss of your dream family.
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Trying to conceive can be an exciting time filled with anticipation, but it can also bring unexpected challenges to your relationship. Intimacy and a strong support system are key factors in your overall well-being and can significantly impact your journey.
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Couples may experience dissatisfaction with their sex life due to the added pressure, or struggle to agree on plans around fertility treatments. Feeling unheard or alone in the process can create distance within the relationship.
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Beyond relationship challenges, the emotional roller-coaster of trying to conceive can be tough. Both women and men may experience feelings of helplessness, blame, shame, and a lack of control. The uncertainty surrounding the process is often the hardest part.
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Our personalized approach is designed to empower you to navigate the emotional complexities of trying to conceive. We utilize evidence-based methods to help you create lifestyle changes that support your overall well-being and potentially enhance fertility and reframe unhelpful beliefs surrounding conception, fostering a more hopeful and optimistic outlook. You will learn effective tools to manage stress, anxiety, and feelings of helplessness that can arise during this time. Through guided exploration, you'll gain clarity on your values and beliefs as they relate to family planning, helping you make decisions that feel aligned with who you are.
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By addressing both your mental and emotional well-being, therapy can empower you to approach trying to conceive with greater confidence and a stronger sense of control over the things you can control
Don't feel like you have to navigate this journey alone. We can help you strengthen your relationship and manage these challenges, creating a more positive and supportive environment for conception.
Couples Therapy for Fertility Challenges
The emotional toll of infertility on a relationship can be immense. On top of the stress of medical procedures and uncertainty, facing infertility as a couple can be emotionally taxing, leading to communication breakdowns, grief, and strains on your relationship.
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Couples Therapy can create a safe space for open communication, allowing each partner to express their feelings and needs without judgment. This can foster understanding and reduces the risk of resentment building up.
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The journey through infertility often involves grieving a vision of parenthood or facing the loss of control. Therapy provides tools to process these emotions together as a couple, fostering empathy and mutual support as you heal.
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You'll also learn tools to manage the stress and anxiety that can accompany infertility, both individually and as a couple. This can significantly improve your coping mechanisms and build emotional resilience to face challenges together.
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Fertility treatments can involve complex decisions. Couples therapy provides a space for open discussion, allowing you to explore treatment options, voice your concerns, and reach shared decisions collaboratively. Additionally, therapy can help you maintain intimacy despite the pressure to conceive, by exploring ways to strengthen your emotional and physical connection.
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Couples therapy can equip you with the emotional tools and communication skills to navigate this challenge together, strengthening your relationship and fostering hope for the future while improving the fertility process.
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Considering couples therapy? Schedule today with one of our fertility specialists. These therapists understand the unique challenges couples face and can provide specialized support.
With support and communication, you and your partner can weather the storms of infertility and build a stronger, more resilient relationship.