Perinatal & Postpartum Psychotherapy in NYC

MY PSYCHOTHERAPEUTIC PERSPECTIVE

As a therapist, a particularly relevant, and I believe intrinsic, aspect of parenting is the way in which having children can bring deep and unresolved wounds, in some cases trauma, closer to the surface.  If we are paying attention and if we are open to attending to that which is being reflected to us in the process of parenting and becoming a parent, it can be a great gift. An opportunity to work with parts of oneself and one’s life experiences that have otherwise remained out of direct encounter. Any parent can benefit from engaging in this self-work, and thereby so will their children.

Of course, sometimes what surfaces through this process is carried forth and communicated through symptoms of perinatal mood or anxiety disorders. This can be devastating for a new parent during such a vulnerable and demanding transition; a transition that also carries a significant amount of cultural pressure to be joyous and in unrestrained, expressive love.  

Increasing consciousness around how trying to conceive, the birth of a child, or a perinatal loss, has ignited significant mood and/or anxiety symptoms is an integral component of resolving the acute distress and protecting and facilitating the parent-child bonding and attachment process.