Perinatal and Postpartum THERAPY IN CHICAGO
Perinatal and Postpartum Therapy
Perinatal and Postpartum therapy, because you deserve care and support. Your reproductive journey may be taking you down unplanned or unexpected paths. You don’t need to walk alone. At LifePath, we support individuals and couples facing the transformative experiences of pregnancy, infertility, loss, birth trauma and the postpartum period. Whether you are feeling hope or despair, cautiously optimistic or fearing the worst, the uncertainty and unknown can be overwhelming. Our therapists bring specialized support and care to this unique time and your unique circumstances.
Perinatal and Postpartum Focuses:
Pre- & Postpartum Depression & Anxiety
Infertility
Pregnancy and Infant Loss
Birth Trauma
Pre- and Postpartum Depression and Anxiety
Becoming a parent brings physical, emotional, and relational changes - your hormones, body, relationships, schedule, and identity all undergo shifts. Not to mention the many societal scripts, pressures, and expectations around childbirth and becoming a parent!
These changes can bring unexpected emotions and challenges. You may feel disconnected from your baby. You may feel anxious or overwhelmed, you feel paralyzed with indecision, you may have scary thoughts. For new parents, it can be upsetting and frightening to have feelings about parenthood that don’t seem “right.”. Our therapists want to support you amidst the change - helping you cultivate a secure attachment with your baby and connect to yourself, creating internal stability to ride the waves of transitions, and developing confidence as a new parent.
Infertility
Is the journey to building your family not going as expected? You may feel sadness, anger, or guilt as months go by without a pregnancy or baby. Coping with the stress and uncertainty of infertility or fertility changes can be overwhelming. LifePath perinatal therapists provide space to process the stress, develop strategies to increase connection and intimacy with your partner, and chart a path forward for you and your family.
Pregnancy and Infant Loss
The death of a baby, regardless of gestational age or circumstance, is a profound loss. You may be asking why or how this could have happened. Beyond your internal experience, you may be challenged by family responsibilities or unhelpful responses from those around you. Therapy can provide a space to pause and be wholly you, to honor the painful and difficult thoughts and feelings.
Birth Trauma
Your birthing experience may have been beautiful and momentous. You may also have felt very stressed or vulnerable during your labor and delivery. You had to have an unplanned C-section or emergency intervention. You had a long and difficult labor. Something unexpected or shocking happened.
Complications during labor and delivery can become traumatic experiences. You don’t have to walk alone. LifePath therapists can help you regain feelings of safety and process traumatic experiences so you can feel more in control and connected to your baby and loved ones.
“Anything that’s human is mentionable, and anything that is mentionable can be more manageable. When we can talk about our feelings, they become less overwhelming, less upsetting, and less scary. The people we trust with that important talk can help us know that we are not alone.”
— Fred Rogers
