Therapy for Postpartum Depression: How Support Can Make a Difference
Postpartum depression isn’t just about feeling sad—it can show up as guilt, irritability, numbness, or even a sense of disconnection from your baby or yourself. As a mom, you may have been told that what you’re feeling is normal, that it will pass, or that you should just be grateful. But if those reassurances haven’t helped, please know this: what you're feeling is real, and you don’t have to carry it alone.
I’m Andrea Bryant, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with a Master of Divinity and a Perinatal Mental Health Certification (PMH-C). I specialize in working with mothers who are navigating the emotional challenges of new motherhood. I offer therapy for postpartum depression in Georgia, South Carolina, and Florida, with both in-person sessions available in Georgia and virtual sessions across all three states.
This article is here to help you understand what postpartum depression really looks like, how therapy can support you, and what to expect if you decide to reach out for help.
Understanding Postpartum Depression: More Than Just “Baby Blues”
Most new moms experience some emotional ups and downs after birth. We often call this the “baby blues”—mood swings, weepiness, irritability, or trouble sleeping in the first couple of weeks. These symptoms are very common and usually pass on their own.
Postpartum depression, on the other hand, is something deeper and more persistent. It doesn’t always show up right away, and it doesn’t always look like sadness. Many of my clients describe it as a heavy fog or a disconnection from themselves and their baby. Some feel intense guilt or shame. Others feel numb, overwhelmed, or angry without understanding why.
These feelings are real and they’re treatable. Therapy offers a space to explore them safely, without judgment.
According to the CDC’s Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS), about 13.2% of women report experiencing depressive symptoms during the postpartum period—roughly 1 in 8 mothers.
That number could be even higher since many women don’t reach out for help. Therapy offers a safe, compassionate space to process these emotions, explore what’s underneath them, and begin to heal in a way that honors your story.
Signs You Might Be Dealing with Postpartum Depression
Every woman’s experience is different, but here are some of the most common signs I see in my work:
Constant sadness or emptiness
Feeling disconnected from your baby
Guilt or shame about how you’re coping
Trouble sleeping (even when the baby sleeps)
Loss of interest in things you used to enjoy
Thoughts that worry you, including intrusive or self-critical thoughts
Feeling like you’re failing as a mom—even when others say you’re doing well
If any of these sound familiar, know that they are not a reflection of your worth as a mother. They are signals that you might need support—and that’s okay.
Why Therapy for Postpartum Depression Matters
Many of the moms I work with waited weeks or even months before reaching out for help. Some weren’t sure if what they were feeling “counted” as postpartum depression. Others didn’t want to feel like a burden to their family or were afraid of being judged.
But the truth is, therapy for postpartum depression can be one of the most empowering steps you take—not just for yourself, but for your baby and your entire family. You don’t need to wait until things get worse.
In therapy, you’re given space to:
Talk openly about what you’re feeling without guilt or fear
Learn how to manage intrusive thoughts and mood swings
Reconnect with your identity outside of motherhood
Find compassion for yourself as you adjust to this major life change
Build emotional resilience and practical tools that truly work
What Therapy Looks Like (and What It Doesn’t)
Sometimes new clients ask, “Am I just going to talk about my feelings for an hour?” Therapy can include that, but it’s so much more.
When I work with moms experiencing postpartum depression, I adapt each session to meet your needs. Some days, we talk about relationship stress. Other times, we work through identity shifts or explore how sleep deprivation is affecting your emotional health. There is no script and no pressure to show up a certain way.
Therapy doesn’t mean you’re broken. It means you’re investing in yourself and giving yourself the support you deserve.
What New Moms Quietly Confess in Therapy
Without sharing any personal details, I want to share a few things I hear from moms again and again—quiet thoughts they’ve often kept to themselves for weeks or even months. Maybe some of these will sound familiar to you:
“I love my baby, but I feel nothing.”
“Everyone keeps telling me I should be happy.”
“I don’t feel like myself anymore.”
“I didn’t expect to feel this alone.”
“I thought I would be better at this.”
If any of those thoughts have crossed your mind, I want you to know—you’re not alone in thinking them. These are the voices of real mothers who were brave enough to speak their truth and who found strength in therapy.
How Therapy for Postpartum Depression Helps Rebuild Your Foundation
What I’ve seen again and again is that therapy doesn’t just reduce symptoms—it helps you reconnect with your sense of self. Many moms come into therapy feeling like they’ve lost their footing. Over time, they begin to:
Set boundaries without guilt
Let go of perfectionism
Improve communication with their partners or families
Regulate emotions more effectively
Feel more confident in their parenting and daily life
If you're struggling to feel like you again, you may also find this post on balancing motherhood and identity helpful. It explores how to reconnect with who you are while still showing up for your family.
Therapy helps you feel grounded again. It reminds you that you’re more than just a mom trying to “hold it all together”—you’re a full person with your own needs, emotions, and strengths.
You Don’t Have to Go Through This Alone
In my practice, I often meet mothers who were silently suffering for weeks or even years. Some were told to “just be grateful” or “it’s just hormones.” But minimizing your pain doesn’t make it go away—it only isolates you further.
Whether you gave birth months ago or years ago, postpartum depression can linger. But healing is possible. You deserve support that sees all of you—not just the version the world expects to see.
What to Expect When You Start Therapy
Reaching out can feel scary at first. I completely understand that. Many moms feel nervous or unsure before their first session. But here’s what I want you to know:
You don’t need to have everything figured out. You can show up as you are
You set the pace. Whether you want to start slow or jump right in, it’s okay
You’re in a safe space. Therapy is not about judgment—it’s about understanding
You’ll be met with compassion. Always
You’ve carried enough alone. You don’t have to anymore.
Therapy for Postpartum Depression in Georgia, South Carolina, and Florida
I work with moms throughout Georgia, South Carolina, and Florida, offering both in-person (in Georgia) and virtual therapy options. Whether you're at home with a newborn, back at work, or somewhere in between, therapy can meet you where you are—literally and emotionally.
Some moms prefer the comfort of their own home, especially in the early months. Others appreciate the chance to step into a different space for in-person sessions. Both are valid, and both are available.
Book a Free Consultation
If you’re ready to explore therapy for postpartum depression, I’d be honored to walk alongside you. At YouWell Collective, I offer compassionate, trauma-informed care for mothers at every stage of the postpartum journey.
Whether you prefer virtual therapy from the comfort of your own space or in-person sessions near Dunwoody, I’m here to help you reconnect with yourself, find relief, and move toward healing—at your own pace.
Call: (678)701-7640
Email: info@youwellcolletive.com
You don’t have to carry this alone. Let’s talk.