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Therapy for Moms

Pregnancy, Postpartum, and the Transition to Motherhood

Maternal Mental Health Therapy in Colorado

Pregnancy and postpartum can bring intense anxiety, intrusive thoughts, and fears that feel hard to talk about. You may find yourself constantly worrying that something bad will happen, checking for reassurance, avoiding certain situations, or feeling unable to relax even when your baby is safe. Some moms feel overwhelmed by scary or unwanted thoughts and worry about what those thoughts mean.

I specialize in therapy for new moms and moms-to-be providing in-person therapy in Golden, Colorado and telehealth throughout Colorado. I often see moms with anxiety, intrusive thoughts, and perinatal OCD. My approach is warm, practical, and evidence-based, using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) when OCD symptoms are present. As a psychologist with a Perinatal Mental Health Certification (PMH-C) through Postpartum Support International, I bring advanced training to both general support for moms and specialized treatment.

Postpartum Support International Certified

Therapy for the Transition to Motherhood

Motherhood can be both joyful and overwhelming. Even without a diagnosis, many women benefit from therapy for stress and overwhelm in new motherhood as they cope with:

  • Exhaustion, overwhelm, or feeling “not like yourself”

  • Navigating relationship and identity shifts as you become a parent

  • Support for balancing career and family as a new mom

  • Adjusting to postpartum recovery and parenting stress

  • Building confidence and enjoyment in daily life

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Together, we will focus on your values, the life you want to create, and the kind of mom you want to be. This approach helps you stay grounded, even in moments of stress, and move forward with clarity and strength.

Perinatal and Postpartum Anxiety and OCD Treatment

For some moms, the challenges of motherhood go beyond typical stress. You may be looking for support if:

  • You feel constantly on edge during pregnancy or postpartum.

  • You have scary, unwanted, or intrusive thoughts.

  • You worry something terrible will happen to your baby.

  • You find yourself checking, researching, avoiding, or seeking reassurance.

  • You feel overwhelmed, irritable, disconnected, or not like yourself.

  • You are having trouble resting, bonding, or enjoying daily life.

  • You want therapy that is supportive but also structured and evidence-based.

I am one of the few Colorado psychologists with specialized training in both perinatal mental health and OCD treatment. This is especially important because postpartum OCD and intrusive thoughts are often misunderstood, even though they are highly treatable.

 

I provide evidence-based treatment using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which help you step out of the cycle of worry and reconnect with what matters most. For moms struggling with postpartum OCD, I use Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), the gold standard for OCD treatment.

With these approaches, you will learn how to:

  • Notice intrusive thoughts without getting stuck in them

  • Intentionally face discomfort instead of avoiding it

  • Stay focused on your values and the kind of mom you want to be

  • Move from living on defense to living on offense, reclaiming your energy and presence for yourself and your family

I am one of the few therapists who specialize in both OCD treatment and maternal mental health. In addition to my PMH-C certification, I have completed advanced OCD training through the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF), which allows me to provide highly specialized care.

Building Confidence and Clarity in Motherhood

Often in my work with moms, I help them build confidence and clarity in their parenting role. My background in early childhood development and training in evidence-based parenting approaches provides a foundation for this work.

I frequently draw from Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), a highly researched early childhood intervention that strengthens parent-child relationships, promotes positive parenting practices, and makes daily transitions more enjoyable. Integrating PCIT principles allows me to support moms in creating more cooperation and connection with their young children.​ I also use Circle of Security, an attachment-based approach that helps mothers understand their child’s needs, respond with confidence, and feel more grounded in their caregiving role. This approach nurtures both the mother’s confidence and the child’s sense of security, fostering a stronger, more resilient bond.

Across these approaches, my work centers on helping moms manage overwhelm, reconnect with their values, and create a motherhood experience that feels both meaningful and authentic.

Finding Yourself in Motherhood

Motherhood is not about erasing every worry or having everything perfectly balanced. It is about learning to respond to challenges with compassion, staying connected to your values, and creating a meaningful life for yourself and your family.

Therapy can help you feel calmer, more present, and more confident as you navigate this season.

If you are ready to find support during pregnancy, postpartum, or the early years of parenting, I would be honored to walk alongside you.

Frequently Asked Questions About Maternal
Mental Health Therapy

How do I know if I need postpartum therapy?
Many new moms wonder if what they are experiencing is “normal.” If you feel overwhelmed, anxious, exhausted, or “not like yourself,” you may benefit from therapy for stress and overwhelm in new motherhood. Postpartum therapy provides support whether you are navigating everyday stress, role changes, or more specific concerns such as perinatal and postpartum anxiety and OCD.
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What does OCD treatment for moms look like?
For moms experiencing intrusive thoughts or compulsions, I provide evidence-based therapy for perinatal OCD. This includes Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), which is the gold standard treatment. ERP helps you learn to face fears without giving in to compulsions, so you can reclaim your energy and presence. Combined with CBT and ACT therapy for moms with anxiety, this approach helps you stay connected to your values and move toward the kind of mom you want to be.

Can therapy help with balancing career and family as a new mom?
Yes. Many women seek therapy for support in balancing career and family as a new mom. Therapy offers a safe place to sort through competing demands and outside “shoulds,” while helping you clarify your own values and priorities. Together, we work on building confidence, reducing guilt, and finding a more sustainable rhythm for both work and parenting.

Do I need a diagnosis to benefit from therapy for moms?
No. Therapy is not only for clinical conditions. Many women come to me for therapy for the transition to motherhood, which can include navigating identity shifts, relationship changes, and the pressures of early parenting. Therapy can help you feel calmer, more present, and more confident even if you do not meet criteria for a diagnosis.
 
What is perinatal anxiety, and how do I know if I need help?
Perinatal anxiety refers to excessive worry, racing thoughts, or physical symptoms of anxiety that occur during pregnancy or after birth. Many moms describe feeling constantly “on edge,” fearing something bad will happen, or struggling to relax even when their baby is safe. While some worry is normal in motherhood, perinatal anxiety can feel overwhelming and interfere with your ability to rest, bond, or enjoy daily life.

Therapy provides effective support for perinatal anxiety. I use CBT and ACT therapy for moms with anxiety to help you step out of unhelpful thought cycles, and when needed, Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) to address fears directly. With these evidence-based tools, you can quiet the noise of anxiety, reconnect with your values, and feel calmer and more present during pregnancy and postpartum.

trailhead: noun \ ˈtrāl-ˌhed  \ :

the point at which a trail begins.

Whether starting a new journey or taking a different path, I am here to walk with you.

ADDRESS

1030 Johnson Road, Suite 303

Golden, CO 80401

PHONE

303-335-0955

Trailhead Psychology

©2019 by Trailhead Psychology, LLC

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