Perinatal psychotherapy

Postpartum Rage Signs, Causes, and How to Get Help

Postpartum Rage Signs, Causes, and How to Get Help

The baby finally falls asleep after an hour of rocking. Then a pan clatters in the sink, the baby startles awake, and something in you snaps. You yell louder than you've ever yelled at someone you love, and ten minutes later you're sitting on the bathroom floor wondering who that was.

Postpartum rage is intense, hard-to-control anger that shows up in the months after having a baby, often far bigger than whatever set it off. It's common, and it's treatable. Below, we'll walk through the signs and causes of postpartum rage, and when it's time to talk to someone.

Body Image Issues During Pregnancy and How to Cope

Body Image Issues During Pregnancy and How to Cope

You're standing in front of the closet in the morning, and nothing fits the way it did last month. The jeans won't button, and the one dress that still works is in the wash. A coworker told you yesterday that you've "popped," and you smiled, then thought about it for the rest of the day. You wanted this baby, and you still don't recognize the body in the mirror.

Body image during pregnancy is the way you think and feel about your body as it changes to carry a baby. If those thoughts have turned harsh, you're dealing with something common that rarely gets talked about. This post covers why body image issues during pregnancy show up and how to tell everyday discomfort from something bigger. You'll also find ways to cope that our therapists use with clients.

What Kristen Doute's Postpartum Season on The Valley Shows About Marriage Strain

What Kristen Doute's Postpartum Season on The Valley Shows About Marriage Strain

You watch Brittany Cartwright describe living with her husband like a roommate. Something about it lands differently once you know they had a toddler at home. You watch Kristen Doute talk about "postpartum rage" on a reality show, and you recognize the exact feeling from your own living room at 3:00 am. For a lot of The Valley's cast, this has turned into a show about what a new baby does to a marriage, playing out in real time.

Postpartum marriage strain is the drop in relationship satisfaction, communication, and closeness that many couples experience after having a baby, driven by exhaustion, identity shifts, and a sudden, uneven division of labor. Three storylines on The Valley: Jax Taylor and Brittany Cartwright, Kristen Doute and Luke Broderick, and Nia and Danny Booko, show three different versions of it, each shaped by a different set of circumstances. 

If you've watched any of these couples and felt a little too seen, you're not imagining the overlap. This post looks at what happened with each couple, what the research says about why new parenthood is so hard on a relationship, and what actually helps once you're in the middle of it.

Birth Trauma PTSD: More Common Than Anyone Talks About

Birth Trauma PTSD: More Common Than Anyone Talks About

Birth trauma PTSD is far more common than people realize, and it's rarely talked about. Here's what the symptoms actually look like, why some births feel traumatic even when the outcome is fine, and how trauma-informed therapy in Hoboken, NJ can help you heal.

Everything You Need to Know about CBT for Postpartum Depression

Everything You Need to Know about CBT for Postpartum Depression

Postpartum depression, simply referred to as PPD, is a serious mental health condition that affects many new mothers, often leaving them feeling disconnected, overwhelmed, and uncertain. The arrival of a newborn is typically a time of joy, but the emotional and psychological toll of this major life transition can be significant. Luckily, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, is an evidence-based treatment that has been proven to be a highly effective treatment for PPD. CBT for PPD offers new mothers tools to manage their mental health symptoms, challenge negative thought patterns, and construct healthier coping skills. Whether you are struggling with PPD yourself or know someone who is struggling, understanding how CBT works can make a big difference in the journey towards healing.


In this blog, we will dive into everything you need to know about CBT for PPD. You will learn how CBT targets the root causes of depression, its benefits, and how it can be integrated into your mental health treatment plan. If you are ready to learn more about how CBT can help ease the challenges of PPD, keep reading!

How Can I Control My Anxiety While Pregnant?

How Can I Control My Anxiety While Pregnant?

Pregnancy can be an exciting yet overwhelming time and, for many, anxiety can become an unexpected challenge. The physical, emotional, and hormonal changes that come with pregnancy may trigger feelings of worry, stress, and fear about the future. Managing anxiety during this period is crucial not only for your well-being but also for the health of your baby. It is important to acknowledge your feelings and seek ways to navigate this rollercoaster of emotions in a calm and healthy manner!


There are several strategies that can help you maintain peace of mind during pregnancy, from deep breathing exercises and mindfulness practices to physical activities that reduce tension. Connecting with a supportive network of friends, family, or women’s health professionals can also provide comfort and reassurance. In this blog, we will explore some of the most effective ways to manage anxiety while pregnant, ensuring that you can enjoy this beautiful journey with more calm and confidence.

What is Perinatal Psychotherapy?

What is Perinatal Psychotherapy?

Perinatal psychotherapy is a form of mental health counseling designed to help women during the perinatal period, including pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum phase. This type of therapy focuses on addressing the various emotional and mental health challenges that can arise during this time, from anxiety and depression to the life transition of parenthood. The primary goal is to help women navigate the complex emotional and psychological changes that come along with being a parent. Not only are you managing the physical and emotional demands of pregnancy, but you are also planning for the major life change that comes along with the birth of a child.


Perinatal therapy is especially important because many women experience increased vulnerability during the perinatal period. Of course, pregnancy and childbirth comes along with physical demands, but there is also potential for emotional difficulties, such as postpartum depression or anxiety. A perinatal therapist at Anchor Therapy can give you a safe and supportive space to explore your emotions, process past trauma, and successfully manage the stress of transitioning from pregnancy to parenthood. Perinatal counseling can also benefit women experiencing fears about pregnancy or childbirth, those with mental health disorders, and/or parents struggling with the emotional demands of having a newborn.

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