Postpartum Depression Therapist in Alpharetta, GA
The best way to find out if this approach is for you is to schedule a 15 minute consultation. Depending on your clinician’s availability, this consult may be held over the phone, via video, or in-person.
Meet the Postpartum Depression Specialist
Baby Blues vs. Postpartum Depression: How to Tell the Difference
It’s completely normal to feel emotional, tearful, or overwhelmed in the first couple of weeks after giving birth. Hormonal shifts, sleep deprivation, and the sheer intensity of caring for a newborn can leave you feeling fragile in ways you didn’t expect. This is commonly referred to as the “baby blues,” and it affects up to 80% of new mothers.
The baby blues typically resolve on their own within two weeks. You may cry more easily, feel irritable or anxious, have trouble sleeping, or experience mood swings that come and go. While uncomfortable, these symptoms are generally manageable and don’t significantly interfere with your ability to care for yourself or your baby.
Postpartum depression is different. It lasts longer, feels heavier, and gets in the way of daily life. Where the baby blues feel like emotional turbulence, postpartum depression feels like being stuck. The sadness doesn’t lift. The exhaustion goes beyond sleep deprivation. You may lose interest in things you normally enjoy, feel disconnected from your baby, or experience guilt and worthlessness that don’t match your circumstances.
Key Differences at a Glance
- Timeline: Baby blues appear within the first few days and resolve within two weeks. Postpartum depression can develop anytime in the first year and persists without treatment.
- Intensity: Baby blues cause emotional ups and downs. Postpartum depression causes sustained low mood, hopelessness, and impaired functioning.
- Bonding: Baby blues don’t typically interfere with bonding. Postpartum depression can make it difficult to feel connected to your baby, which often creates additional guilt.
- Daily functioning: Baby blues are uncomfortable but manageable. Postpartum depression can make it hard to get through basic daily tasks.
If your symptoms have lasted beyond two weeks, are getting worse rather than better, or are interfering with your ability to care for yourself or your baby, it’s time to reach out for professional support.
Postpartum depression is a serious condition that can be life-threatening if left untreated. The good news is that there are many types of treatment available for postpartum depression.
Postpartum Depression Counseling in Alpharetta, GA
If what you’re reading above sounds familiar, know that you’re not alone, and what you’re experiencing is treatable. Postpartum depression affects many new parents in the weeks, months, or even the first year after giving birth. It goes beyond the expected adjustment of early parenthood, and it can make it difficult to focus on connection with your baby, your partner, and yourself.
If you’re recognizing these signs in your own experience, that awareness is already a meaningful step. You are not failing as a parent. You are navigating something that millions of parents have faced, and with the right support, it gets better.
At Kellen Mental Health, our postpartum depression therapist in Alpharetta specializes in perinatal mental health. We offer individualized treatment plans tailored to your symptoms, your circumstances, and your goals, because no two parents experience postpartum depression the same way. Sessions are available in person at our Alpharetta office and via virtual counseling throughout Georgia.
Symptoms of Postpartum Depression
Postpartum depression can be a very isolating experience. It is often hard for women to come forward about their symptoms, but it’s important to know that you are not alone. Recognizing the symptoms early on can help you get the support you need to manage your postpartum depression or prevent it from getting worse.
The National Institute of Mental Health Lists the Following Symptoms of Postpartum Depression:
- Persistently feeling sad, anxious, or “empty” mood
- Irritability
- Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, hopelessness, or helplessness
- Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities
- Fatigue or abnormal decrease in energy
- Feeling restless or having trouble sitting still
- Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
- Difficulty sleeping (even when the baby is sleeping), awakening early in the morning, or oversleeping
- Abnormal appetite, weight changes, or both
- Aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems that do not have a clear physical cause or do not ease even with treatment
- Trouble bonding or forming an emotional attachment with the new baby
- Persistent doubts about the ability to care for the new baby
- Thoughts about death, suicide, or harming yourself or the baby
If you are experiencing these symptoms for more than two weeks following the birth of your baby, it may be postpartum depression. The good news is there are treatments available to help manage these feelings and situations. There are also things you can do to take care of yourself during this time period while waiting for treatment.
Make sure you are leaning on family members and friends for support. Additionally, there are support groups for people suffering from postpartum depression that you can join to speak with others who are going through similar struggles.
When to Seek Professional Help
Many new parents hesitate to reach out because they’re unsure whether what they’re feeling is “bad enough” to warrant therapy. Here are some clear signals that it’s time to talk to a postpartum depression therapist:
- Your symptoms have lasted longer than two weeks and are not improving
- You feel disconnected from your baby or dread being alone with them
- You’re having difficulty completing daily tasks like eating, showering, or leaving the house
- You’ve lost interest in activities or people that used to bring you comfort
- You’re experiencing intrusive thoughts about harm coming to yourself or your baby
- Your partner, family, or friends have expressed concern about changes in your mood or behavior
- You feel like you’re “going through the motions” without actually feeling anything
You do not need to be in crisis to seek help. If something feels wrong, that feeling is reason enough. Early intervention leads to better outcomes, and postpartum depression is highly treatable with the right support.
If you are having thoughts of harming yourself or your baby, please contact your healthcare provider immediately, call 988 (Suicide and Crisis Lifeline), or go to your nearest emergency room.
Causes of Postpartum Depression
Postpartum depression affects a significant number of women, and research has found that it can have many different causes. The most common cause is hormonal changes from pregnancy to post-birth, but other factors such as life stressors or genetic tendencies may also contribute to the onset of depression.
Your body goes through a dramatic change after childbirth and you may experience postpartum depression as a result. Drops in estrogen, progesterone, or both can lead to mood swings. Other hormones produced by your thyroid gland also could fall sharply which leaves you feeling tired, sluggish, with little to no motivation.
There is not one specific reason why someone experiences postpartum depression. However, there are a number of risk factors that can lead to it. Some of these may include:
- A history of depression or anxiety
- Family history of mental illness
- Personal history with anxiety or depression during pregnancy
- Stressful life events during the year prior to giving birth
- Domestic violence or traumatic experience during pregnancy
- A history of physical or sexual abuse during pregnancy or before
- Experiencing a major loss, such as the death of a loved one, job loss, ending of a relationship, bankruptcy
- High levels of personal conflict with your partner or spouse
- Low social support, either from your partner, family, friends, or community
- Poor relationship with your healthcare provider
Postpartum depression can affect anyone—including men. In fact, about 10% of new fathers also suffer from postpartum depression according to research published in the Journal of American Medical Association. It’s a phenomenon that can have lasting effects on both parent and child well-being.
What Postpartum Depression Therapy Sessions Look Like
If you’ve never been to therapy before, or if your only reference is what you’ve seen on television, it’s natural to wonder what actually happens in a session. Postpartum depression therapy at Kellen Mental Health is structured around your specific symptoms, your life circumstances, and the goals that matter most to you.
In your first few sessions, your therapist will:
- Ask about your pregnancy, birth experience, and postpartum adjustment
- Understand your current symptoms, their severity, and how long they’ve been present
- Explore your support system, relationship dynamics, and daily functioning
- Discuss your history with depression, anxiety, or other mental health concerns
- Begin building a treatment plan tailored to your needs
Ongoing therapy may include:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to identify and challenge the thought patterns that fuel feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or hopelessness
- Coping strategies for managing the emotional and physical exhaustion of early parenthood
- Processing the gap between what you expected parenthood to feel like and the reality you’re experiencing
Sessions are typically 45 or 60 minutes and can be held in person or virtually online. Infants are welcome in session when needed. Many postpartum clients find virtual therapy especially helpful when leaving the house feels overwhelming. For full details on session lengths and pricing, visit our rates page.
Treating Postpartum Depression
There are many different types of therapy that help people to deal with postpartum depression. A lot of these therapies have been studied and shown to be effective in the treatment of this condition, but it’s important for a person to find which one is right for them.
Psychotherapy
Therapy is a wonderful way to overcome any problems you are struggling with. It can help in finding better coping mechanisms, setting goals realistic for yourself, and improving your relationships with others as well! It may help to talk through your concerns with a psychiatrist, psychologist, or other mental health professional. It can seem overwhelming trying to find a therapist, KMH offers consultations to see if we are a good fit for your needs.
Antidepressants
If you’re breastfeeding, ask your doctor about the potential risks of taking an antidepressant medication. Most are safe for breastfeeding mothers with few side effects in their babies at most – though some can be risky and should only come as recommended by a medical professional who knows what they are doing! Work with your health care team to weigh the potential risks and benefits of specific medications to see what may be right for you.
Postnatal depression isn’t always treatable with medication alone; counseling, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, may also help. If you or someone you know has recently given birth and they’re feeling down or experiencing other symptoms related to postpartum depression, don’t wait – talk with your doctor about what type of therapy might work best for you.
KMH’s Postpartum Depression Therapist in Alpharetta, GA GA offers in-person as well as online appointments.
How Partners and Family Can Help
Postpartum depression doesn’t just affect the person who gave birth. It affects the entire family system. Partners, co-parents, and close family members play an important role in recovery, but supporting someone with PPD can be confusing and emotionally difficult when you don’t know what to do.
For partners and family members:
- Validate without fixing. Saying “I see that you’re struggling, and I’m here” is more helpful than offering solutions or minimizing feelings.
- Take on practical responsibilities so the parent with PPD can rest, attend therapy, or simply have space to breathe. This might mean handling nighttime feedings, managing household tasks, or coordinating childcare.
- Avoid judgment. Comments like “you should be enjoying this” or “other moms seem fine” increase shame and isolation. PPD is a medical condition, not a choice.
- Encourage professional support without pressuring. You can offer to help find a therapist, schedule the appointment, or take care of the baby during sessions.
- Take care of yourself too. Supporting a partner with PPD is emotionally taxing, and your own mental health matters. Individual counseling or couples therapy can help you navigate this period as well.
Postpartum depression is treatable, and families who face it together tend to recover stronger. If you’re a partner or family member who is concerned about someone you love, we’re happy to talk through how we can help.
Choose Kellen Mental Health for Postpartum Depression Treatment in Alpharetta
You don’t have to keep pushing through this alone. Postpartum depression is one of the most common complications of childbirth, and with the right support, it is highly treatable. Getting help is not a sign of weakness. It’s the strongest thing you can do for yourself and your family.
At Kellen Mental Health, our perinatal therapists are specially trained to work with new and expectant parents navigating postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, and related perinatal mood disorders. We also support families processing pregnancy loss and the emotional challenges of the infertility journey.
Counseling
Individual Counseling Session Rates
Sessions are available in 45- or 60-minute formats and can be conducted either in person or via video. While 60-minute sessions are recommended—especially for the first appointment—they are not required unless deemed necessary by the clinician.
Initially, appointments are typically scheduled weekly or every other week. As symptoms improve and progress toward goals becomes more consistent, sessions can be spaced out to every 3–4 weeks.
45 minute appointments: $160 – $180 per session
60 minute appointments: $215 – $240 per session
Individual counseling rate varies per clinician. Please see clinician bios for more information regarding specialties and rates.
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