Find a Postpartum Depression Therapist

Postpartum depression (PPD) is more than just “baby blues.” If you’re struggling with low mood, hopelessness, irritability, or feeling disconnected from your baby for more than two weeks after birth, it may be time to seek help for postpartum depression.

You might have PPD if:

• You cry often or feel persistently sad
• You feel numb, empty, or hopeless
• You’re anxious, panicked, or can’t relax
• You feel disconnected from your baby or have trouble bonding
• You’re irritable or angry, sometimes without a clear reason
• You feel guilty or like a “bad” parent
• You’re having trouble eating, sleeping, or taking care of yourself
• You have thoughts of harming yourself or wondering if your family would be better off without you

A therapist for postpartum depression can help you understand what’s happening and support you through recovery.

Recognizing the symptoms

PPD symptoms can vary in severity and may appear days, weeks, or even months after giving birth. While some sadness and fatigue are common after childbirth, postpartum depression is more intense and longer-lasting.

Common symptoms include:

• Persistent low mood, tearfulness, or irritability
• Loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy
• Difficulty bonding with your baby
• Intrusive or scary thoughts (e.g., harm coming to your baby)
• Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
• Changes in appetite or sleep
• Physical exhaustion, despite rest
• Trouble concentrating or making decisions

These symptoms can feel confusing or scary—but they are treatable, and you don’t have to face them alone. Counseling for postpartum depression offers a safe space to talk, heal, and rebuild your sense of self.

What do the diagnostic criteria mean?

The DSM-5 classifies postpartum depression as a type of major depressive episode with a “peripartum onset”—meaning symptoms begin during pregnancy or within four weeks of delivery. However, many professionals recognize that PPD can emerge anytime within the first year postpartum.

Diagnosis includes at least five of the following:

• Depressed mood
• Loss of interest or pleasure
• Changes in sleep or appetite
• Fatigue or loss of energy
• Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
• Difficulty thinking or concentrating
• Thoughts of death or suicide

A maternal mental health therapist can help you understand your symptoms, offer a formal diagnosis (if needed), and start you on the path to recovery.

Getting diagnosed

Diagnosis typically involves a conversation with a qualified mental health provider—often a PPD therapist or primary care doctor. You may be asked:

• How long you’ve felt this way
• What symptoms you’re experiencing
• Whether you have a history of mental health issues
• How your mood is affecting daily life and relationships

You might complete a brief screening tool like the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Diagnosis is not about judgment—it’s about getting the right kind of help for postpartum depression so you can feel better.

PPD doesn’t have one single cause. It’s typically the result of a combination of physical, emotional, and environmental factors.

Possible causes include:

• Hormonal shifts: Estrogen and progesterone drop sharply after birth, which can affect mood regulation.
• Sleep deprivation: Lack of rest can impact your emotional resilience.
• Difficult birth experience: Unexpected complications or trauma can increase your risk.
• Isolation: Lack of support or social connection can deepen feelings of sadness or overwhelm.
• History of mental health issues: If you’ve had depression, anxiety, or trauma in the past, your risk is higher.
• Stress: Financial pressure, relationship strain, or medical concerns about your baby can all contribute.

Whatever the cause, PPD is not your fault—and therapy for postpartum depression can help you heal.

PPD can affect anyone—but some people are more vulnerable based on their history, environment, or personal circumstances.

Risk factors include:

• Personal or family history of depression or anxiety
• Previous experience with PPD
• Complications during pregnancy or birth
• A baby with health concerns or special needs
• Lack of partner or social support
• High levels of stress or recent life changes
• Unplanned or difficult pregnancy

If you’re in one of these groups, it’s a good idea to check in with a postpartum depression therapist—even if symptoms feel mild or manageable. Early support can prevent more severe challenges down the line.

Postpartum depression is highly treatable. Many people improve with a combination of therapy, support, and sometimes medication.

Therapy

Talking with a therapist for postpartum depression can help you:

• Understand your emotions and where they’re coming from
• Challenge negative thoughts and reduce guilt or shame
• Learn practical coping strategies
• Reconnect with yourself and your baby
• Process birth trauma or other unresolved experiences

Common therapy options include:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps shift unhelpful thinking patterns.
• Interpersonal Therapy (IPT): Focuses on relationship changes and role transitions.
• Supportive counseling: Provides validation, encouragement, and perspective.

Medications

Some people benefit from antidepressants, especially if symptoms are severe or long-lasting. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are commonly prescribed—and many are considered safe for breastfeeding. Always discuss medication options with a doctor familiar with maternal mental health.

Environmental Supports

Your day-to-day environment matters. Small changes can help:

• Accepting help from others
• Prioritizing sleep and rest
• Connecting with other parents
• Limiting stress and simplifying your schedule
• Eating regularly and staying hydrated

Psychoeducation

Understanding how PPD works reduces shame and confusion. You’ll learn:

• That your symptoms are real—not imagined
• That recovery is possible, even if it doesn’t feel like it
• That you are not alone

Coping with postpartum depression starts with knowledge, support, and consistent care.

In most cases, yes. Many antidepressants—especially SSRIs like sertraline (Zoloft)—are considered low-risk for breastfeeding. However, it’s important to consult a medical provider who understands both psychiatry and lactation.

A maternal mental health therapist can work alongside your doctor to ensure you get the best treatment plan for both you and your baby.

Treatment can be provided by:

• Therapists specializing in postpartum or perinatal mental health
• Psychiatrists who can prescribe and manage medications
• Primary care doctors or OB-GYNs, who may offer short-term support and referrals
• Nurse practitioners or midwives with mental health training
• Online therapy for postpartum depression platforms, which provide flexible, private access to help

Choose someone who has experience with perinatal mental health and makes you feel safe and understood.

Untreated PPD can have long-term effects—not just on your well-being, but also on your baby and relationships. It can interfere with bonding, affect your energy and confidence, and leave you feeling isolated or ashamed.

With treatment, you can:

• Feel like yourself again
• Connect more fully with your baby and loved ones
• Manage stress and emotions more effectively
• Rebuild confidence and joy in parenthood

Getting help for postpartum depression is not a sign of weakness—it’s a powerful, loving act of care for yourself and your family.

The “baby blues” are common and affect up to 80% of new parents. They usually begin within a few days of birth and last about two weeks. Symptoms include mood swings, irritability, weepiness, and anxiety—but they tend to fade on their own.

Postpartum depression lasts longer and is more severe. It often includes deep sadness, numbness, guilt, and intrusive thoughts. If symptoms persist beyond two weeks or interfere with daily life, it may be PPD—and counseling for postpartum depression can help.

Not always. PPD can begin:

• During pregnancy
• Within the first few weeks postpartum
• Several months after giving birth

Any time within the first year is considered part of the postpartum period. If you’re noticing emotional shifts weeks or months after delivery, it’s still valid—and treatable.

Most people with PPD do not harm their babies. However, intrusive thoughts can be scary and confusing. These thoughts are common symptoms of PPD and do not mean you will act on them.

It’s important to talk about these feelings with a PPD therapist—they can help you understand what’s happening and develop safe, healthy coping tools. You are not a bad parent. You are a parent who deserves support.

Breastfeeding may offer emotional benefits for some, but it does not prevent PPD. In fact, struggles with breastfeeding can sometimes increase stress, guilt, or feelings of failure.

There’s no “right” way to feed your baby. What matters most is your mental and physical well-being. A maternal mental health therapist can help you make informed choices without shame.

Yes. Partners—regardless of gender—can also experience emotional struggles after a baby is born. Known as paternal postpartum depression, it can include:

• Irritability or withdrawal
• Fatigue and sleep issues
• Depression or anxiety
• Difficulty bonding with the baby

Encourage partners to seek support, too. Coping with postpartum depression is a family journey—and everyone’s mental health matters.

You don’t have to do this alone. Whether you’re searching for a postpartum depression therapist, exploring online therapy for postpartum depression, or just trying to understand what you’re feeling—help is here. With the right support, recovery is not just possible—it’s absolutely within reach.