Therapy for Postpartum Anxiety or OCD

If you’re experiencing Postpartum Anxiety or OCD, I want to help.  Contact me for a free consultation to talk about what you need and how I can help.

Postpartum Anxiety & OCD Therapy in Seattle

Compassionate support when motherhood feels heavier than expected

You love your baby — but instead of feeling calm or joyful, you feel overwhelmed, anxious, or trapped in your own mind. Maybe you’re lying awake at night even when your baby sleeps. Maybe your thoughts race, your chest tightens, or you find yourself checking and rechecking things “just in case.”

If you’re experiencing intense worry, fear, or intrusive thoughts in the postpartum period, you are not alone. Postpartum anxiety and postpartum OCD are more common than most people realize — and they are treatable with the right care and support.

Signs of Postpartum Anxiety or OCD

• Constant or intrusive worries about your baby’s health or safety
• Trouble relaxing, falling asleep, or staying asleep
• Feeling keyed up, on edge, or emotionally overwhelmed
• Intrusive thoughts or mental images that disturb or frighten you
• Feeling the need to control, avoid, or repeat certain actions to ease fear
• Irritability, restlessness, or a sense of dread that won’t go away

These symptoms don’t mean you’re “too anxious” or not cut out for motherhood. They mean your nervous system is overloaded — and you deserve support.

How Therapy Can Help

Therapy offers a safe, shame-free space where you can slow down, feel heard, and learn how to work with your anxiety — instead of against it. Together, we’ll gently untangle what’s going on and help you feel more steady, confident, and connected.

You don’t have to relive trauma or push through scary thoughts alone. I’ll meet you right where you are, with tools that feel manageable and a pace that feels safe.

My Approach to Postpartum Anxiety & OCD

• Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT): Helps quiet the inner critic and build a more supportive relationship with yourself — especially when anxiety is tied to guilt or shame.
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Offers practical tools to challenge anxious thinking and reduce unhelpful patterns.
• Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP): A research-backed treatment for OCD that helps reduce the intensity and control of intrusive thoughts.
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Helps you build flexibility in the face of distress and move toward what matters most, even when anxiety is present.
• Mindfulness and Self-Compassion: Support nervous system regulation and emotional safety when you’re feeling triggered or overwhelmed.

Frequently Asked Questions

“Is it normal to feel this anxious after having a baby?”

Some worry is common, but if the anxiety feels constant, intrusive, or interferes with daily life, it may be postpartum anxiety — which is both common and treatable.

“What’s the difference between postpartum anxiety and postpartum OCD?”

Postpartum anxiety includes worry, panic, or restlessness. Postpartum OCD includes unwanted intrusive thoughts — often scary or upsetting — plus compulsive behaviors (like checking or avoiding) used to reduce fear. Both respond well to therapy.

“Does having scary thoughts mean I’ll hurt my baby?”

No. These thoughts are ego-dystonic — they go against your values and cause distress. Having them doesn’t mean you’ll act on them. Therapy can help reduce their power.

“Can I do therapy while caring for my baby?”

Yes. I offer virtual sessions, and babies are welcome nearby. We’ll create a space that feels doable and supportive for this season of life.

“Will I need medication?”

Some people feel better with therapy alone; others benefit from a combination of therapy and medication. I can refer you to a trusted provider to explore what’s best for you.

“Is this my fault?”

Absolutely not. Anxiety and OCD symptoms are not a reflection of who you are. You are doing your best — and you don’t have to carry this alone.

“When should I reach out?”

If something feels off, it’s okay to reach out now. You don’t need to wait until things get worse. Healing is possible — and you deserve support.

Helpful Resources

• Postpartum Support International – Anxiety & OCD
  Education, support groups, and a free helpline at 1-800-944-4773.
• International OCD Foundation – Perinatal OCD
  A compassionate, clinical resource on postpartum OCD symptoms and treatment.
• Anxiety Canada – Perinatal Anxiety
  Offers practical self-help tools, including the free MindShift CBT app.

Immediate Support

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or need someone to talk to right away, please know there are free, confidential resources available 24/7. You don’t have to wait until it’s an emergency to reach out for help.

• Postpartum Support International HelpLine

  Call or text 1-800-944-4773 (4PPD) — Support in English & Spanish, available 24/7. Not a crisis line, but a warm and informed space for new parents needing support.

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

  Call or text 988

  Still Have Questions?

  If you’re feeling unsure, overwhelmed, or just wondering if this is “normal” — that’s okay. You don’t need a diagnosis to deserve care. I’d be honored to support you through this season.

  Reach out to schedule a free consultation. You are not alone — and healing is possible.