Postpartum Depression Therapist in Alpharetta, GA
The best way to find out if this approach is for you is to schedule a 15 - 20 minute consultation. Depending on your clinician’s availability, this consult may be held over the phone, via video, or in-person.
Postpartum Depression Counseling
Postpartum depression is a serious mental health issue that affects many women. It can be overwhelming and difficult to manage on your own. Fortunately, there are ways of coping with postpartum depression. One way is by seeking counseling for postpartum depression either through in-person or online sessions.
Counseling can help you learn techniques to cope with the symptoms of this illness so you can get back to living your life again. If you are experiencing any signs of postpartum depression, please reach out for help. Speak with your health care team or reach out to a postpartum depression therapist near you.
Here at HWP, we offer counseling services to help women who are experiencing postpartum depression located in and around the Alpharetta, GA area. Our therapists provide individualized treatment plans tailored to suit each woman’s needs and goals because no two people experience this kind of depression in the same way.
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.
What is Postpartum Depression? Not Just The Baby Blues
Postpartum depression is a type of depression that some mothers experience after the birth of their child. It is not just “the baby blues.” It can be very serious and make it hard to function at work, with your family, or in any other area of life.
Postpartum depression symptoms may include sadness, anxiety, irritability, tension headaches (or migraines), difficulty sleeping (insomnia), rapid weight loss or gain without dieting or exercising more than usual, feeling overwhelmed by things you used to find easy to do. If you are experiencing these symptoms for more than two weeks please contact your doctor right away so they can help you get treatment as soon as possible.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), which is an organization that provides medical guidelines to doctors across America, has recently released new statistics on postpartum depression. It states that one in seven women experience some form or another during pregnancy or after giving birth- affecting approximately 40 million mothers annually!
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.
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.
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, HWP offers free 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.
HWP’s Postpartum Depression Therapist in Alpharetta GA offers in-person as well as online appointments.
HWP’s Offerings in Alpharetta, GA for PPD Counseling and Therapy Services
Postpartum Depression is a serious disorder that affects many new mothers. They may experience symptoms such as mood swings, anxiety or panic attacks, insomnia, and more. If the depressive feelings become severe enough to interfere with their daily lives, it can also affect the baby’s mental development.
Our therapists at HWP offer counseling services in Alpharetta for women who are experiencing postpartum depression so they can find relief from these difficult emotions without medication or other treatments that could negatively impact them and their children.
Whether you need individualized treatment plans or just want someone to talk things out with about your postpartum depression journey, our therapists can discuss your concerns and set you on a path of healing. Reach out to our team today for a complimentary phone consultation to learn more about how we can help.
Counseling
Individual Counseling Session Rates
All sessions are 45 – 50 minutes long and are held either in person or via video. Sessions are typically scheduled every week or every other week at a minimum.
$155 – $175 per session
Individual counseling rate varies per clinician. Please see clinician bios for more information regarding specialties and rates.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I schedule an appointment?
If you are a new client, you may schedule your complimentary consultation or your initial appointment by visiting the contact page and filling out the short form or outreaching directly to your desired provider by calling (470) 231-5355.
If you are an existing client, please outreach to your provider directly either by telephone, email, or via the client portal secure messaging system.
Do you accept my insurance?
HWP does not accept insurance. Managed care companies were created to “manage” and contain escalating health care costs. Their bottom line is to reduce costs and raise profits; it is not to increase the quality of care professionals provide or your quality of life. HWP is solution-focused on quality of life and personal goals.
What is your cancellation policy?
If you need to cancel or change your appointment, we ask you to inform your provider at least 24 hours in advance of your scheduled session start time. Your full session fee will be charged for missed appointments and cancellations received less than 24 hours in advance.
What forms of payment do you accept?
Cash, credit cards, and health savings (HSA) or flex spending account (FSA) cards that have a major credit card logo on it are all accepted forms of payment.