Postpartum Therapy
for The Difficult Journey
of Parenthood
Pregnancy, the birthing experience, and being a new parent can be beautiful, transformative, and enlightening experiences. In fact, this is a societal expectation. Comments or questions like, “You must be so happy!”, “You’ve wanted this your whole life, just be grateful.”, “Breast or bottle fed?”, and “I can’t wait to meet him or her!” only add to the pressure, stress, anger, and anxiety a new parent feels.
A common myth about postpartum depression & anxiety is that you don’t love your child. For decades, people have associated postpartum depression & anxiety with feeling disconnected from your baby. In reality, parents often feel intense love for their children. But, they may also feel a self-blame that can be paralyzing.
At Pacific Coast Therapy, we recognize the severity and intensity of the many postpartum depression & anxiety symptoms.
These Symptoms Could Include:
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Depressed mood or severe mood swings
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Intense irritability and anger
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Fear that you’re not a good parent
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Hopelessness
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Feelings of worthlessness, shame, guilt, or inadequacy
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Diminished ability to think clearly, concentrate or make decisions
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Restlessness
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Severe anxiety and panic attacks
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Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby
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Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide
There is no specific cause for postpartum depression and anxiety. But, common explanations may include physical and emotional changes. After childbirth, a dramatic drop in hormones (estrogen and progesterone) in your body may contribute to postpartum depression and anxiety. Other hormones produced by your thyroid gland also may experience sharp drops. These can leave you feeling tired, sluggish, and depressed. When you’re sleep-deprived and overwhelmed, you may have trouble handling even minor problems. You may be anxious about your ability to care for a newborn. You may feel less attractive and struggle with your sense of identity. Or, feel that you’ve lost control over your life. Any of these issues can contribute to postpartum depression.
Some things you may be experiencing are:
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Stressful events during the past year. This may include pregnancy complications, illness, or job loss
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Your baby has health problems or other special needs
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Gave birth to more than one child
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Problems in your relationship with your spouse or significant other
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Feeling out of control
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Career or financial concerns
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Having a traumatic birth experience
You may experience some or all of these postpartum depression & anxiety symptoms after giving birth. But, it’s important to remember these symptoms are NORMAL. It’s normal for you to feel angry, sad, and/or hopeless as a new parent, even if it’s not your first child. It’s normal for you to want or need support, but feel too ashamed to ask for help. And, it’s normal to feel like you are drowning or that motherhood is not as bright and cheerful as you first expected.
At Pacific Coast Therapy, we seek to understand the unique experience of every new parent.
We aim to help them overcome their symptoms of postpartum depression & anxiety and be the best person and parent they can be. We believe cultural, societal, and familial pressures can all contribute to your symptoms. This is why we are equipped to help you explore how to address these pressures. Always remember: you are enough, you are doing the very best you can, and it’s okay to not be okay. Please reach out to a team member at Pacific Coast Therapy if you or someone you love may be struggling with postpartum depression or anxiety.
Meet Erin Murray, MA LMFT
POSTPARTUM THERAPIST AT PACIFIC COAST THERAPY
Erin meets people with a warm, down-to-earth approach that is relatable and authentic. Her goal in therapy is to create an environment where personal exploration feels inviting. Erin helps people recognize their worth through empathetic reflection and compassion. As a mental health counselor, she supports people with developing skills to help manage life’s stressors, while looking at the patterns in life that continue to create distress. Erin is dedicated to helping people understand themselves better, so they navigate their lives and relationships with more ease and confidence. Erin works with several age ranges, but she really excels and enjoys working with new moms and dads. Erin can support those experiencing:
- Difficulty managing emotions
- Feelings of depression and/or anxiety
- Pregnancy and parenthood challenges
- Relationship issues
- Complexities in these areas that leave people questioning their self-worth
Erin is a Registered Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist #146016. She holds a masters degree in Counseling Psychology from Palo Alto University. As a Mental Health Counselor, Erin has worked with various populations across the lifespan. She has worked as a therapist in a variety of clinical settings including community mental health programs providing outpatient treatment and intensive outpatient treatment, residential treatment, school-based systems, and group practice. Erin is a member of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists.
Erin Works With
- Adults
- Couples
- Teens
- Families
Modalities and Frameworks Erin Uses
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Psychodynamic Theory
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Depth Psychology
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Existential Theory
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Attachment
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Mindfulness
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Somatic Therapy
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Narrative Therapy
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CBT
- DBT
- Emotion Focused Therapy, Level 1
Fun Facts About Erin
Erin enjoys spending time in the outdoors hiking, camping, gardening, or walking around the farmer’s market. She loves spending quality time with her family or connecting with her friends.
Frequently Requested Information
Insurance Information
We are considered “out-of-network” with insurance companies. This enables us to deliver a higher quality of care, with individualized attention, and complete confidentiality.
Many insurance companies provide reimbursement for out-of-network therapy. We gladly provide a “superbill” which can be used to submit to your insurance and seek potential reimbursement for sessions.
Rates & Payment
- 50 Minute Individual Session: $190
- 50 Min Individual Adult/Adolescent Initial Session: $220
- 1 Hour Family/Couples Initial Session: $250
- 50 Minute Family & Couples Therapy: $220
Get Started
The Pacific Coast Therapy team is passionate about helping people thrive. If you’re ready to take the next step in your life, contact us today to schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation. One of our caring therapists can offer support. To start your therapy journey, please follow these simple steps:
1
Contact Us
Text, call, email, or fill out the form at the bottom of the page in order to contact us.
2
Meet With A Caring Therapist
Take part of a free 15-minute consultation with a therapist to see if it is the right fit.
3
Begin The Road To Healing
Start meeting on a regular basis and conquer your goals.
“Sometimes the bravest and most important thing you can do is just show up.”
-Brene Brown
Get Started with Therapy in Campbell and Santa Cruz
info@pacificcoasttherapy.com
Call or Text
(831) 687-9555