Postpartum Depression Therapy in San Diego
Pregnancy, birth, and becoming a parent can bring profound emotional changes. If depression, anxiety, birth trauma, grief, or feeling unlike yourself has made this season harder than expected, compassionate support is available.
You can care deeply about your baby and still not feel like yourself.
The postpartum period can involve joy, exhaustion, identity changes, relationship shifts, physical recovery, and emotions that do not always match what you expected to feel.
Postpartum depression is more than simply having a difficult day. Symptoms can include persistent sadness, anxiety, irritability, hopelessness, loss of interest, guilt, trouble concentrating, changes in sleep or appetite, or difficulty feeling connected to your baby.
Therapy for postpartum depression offers a private, nonjudgmental place to understand what you are experiencing and develop a treatment plan that reflects your needs, experiences, and goals.
Postpartum depression can look different than people expect.
There is no single postpartum experience. Consider talking with a healthcare or mental health professional if emotional changes are persistent, intense, or making everyday life more difficult.
Persistent sadness or hopelessness
Feeling low, empty, overwhelmed, or emotionally disconnected much of the time.
Anxiety or constant worry
Feeling on edge, unusually fearful, restless, or unable to quiet persistent worries.
Irritability or emotional overwhelm
Experiencing anger, frustration, or emotional reactions that feel difficult to manage.
Guilt or self-doubt
Feeling inadequate, ashamed, worthless, or convinced that you are not doing enough.
Loss of interest or connection
Losing interest in activities you normally enjoy or struggling to feel connected to yourself or your baby.
Changes in sleep, energy, or concentration
Experiencing exhaustion, difficulty sleeping even when you have the opportunity, or trouble thinking clearly.
Postpartum therapy gives you room to care for your mental health, too.
Therapy is not about telling you how to parent. It is about creating a supportive space where your emotions, experiences, relationships, identity, and mental health can receive attention.
Baby blues vs. postpartum depression
Emotional changes are common after childbirth, but the duration, intensity, and effect on daily functioning matter.
The “baby blues”
Mild mood changes, worry, tearfulness, and exhaustion are common during the first days after childbirth and often improve within approximately two weeks.
Postpartum depression
When depression, anxiety, hopelessness, guilt, disconnection, or other emotional symptoms are severe, persist beyond the early postpartum adjustment period, or interfere with daily life, talking with a qualified healthcare professional is important.
Alexandra Mers, LPCC
Alex brings extensive experience supporting individuals and families through trauma, grief, loss, and significant life transitions. Her work also includes supporting clients navigating birth trauma, postpartum issues, anxiety, depression, parenting struggles, and changes in identity.
Alex uses a person-centered, holistic approach and draws from a range of therapeutic tools based on each client's individual goals and needs. Her clinical approaches include EMDR and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), along with training in Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), mindfulness, Gestalt Therapy, and other approaches.
She provides both in-person and virtual therapy sessions.
Postpartum therapy in San Diego or from home
Leaving home with a newborn is not always simple. Freedom Within offers flexible options for receiving mental health support.
In-Person Postpartum Therapy
Meet with your therapist at Freedom Within Therapy and Wellness Center at 2254 San Diego Ave., San Diego, CA 92110.
Request an appointment →Online Postpartum Therapy
Telehealth sessions can make therapy more accessible when transportation, childcare, recovery, work, or a busy family schedule makes getting to an office difficult.
Ask about telehealth →Need immediate support?
If you are experiencing thoughts of suicide or harming yourself or your baby, call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. Symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, severe confusion, paranoia, or mania after childbirth may be signs of a psychiatric emergency. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department for immediate help.
Postpartum Depression Therapy FAQs
How is postpartum depression different from the baby blues?
The baby blues generally involve mild, short-term mood changes during the first couple of weeks after childbirth. Postpartum depression symptoms tend to be more persistent or severe and may interfere with daily functioning. If you are concerned about how you are feeling, a healthcare professional can help determine what type of support may be appropriate.
Can therapy help with postpartum depression?
Yes. Psychotherapy is one of the established treatment options for postpartum and perinatal depression. Therapy may help you explore emotions, thought patterns, stressors, relationships, identity changes, coping strategies, and other factors affecting your mental health. Treatment should be individualized based on your symptoms and needs.
Do you offer postpartum depression therapy in San Diego?
Yes. Freedom Within Therapy and Wellness Center provides in-person therapy at 2254 San Diego Ave. in San Diego. Availability with clinicians who work with postpartum concerns may vary, so contact our team for current scheduling information.
Is online postpartum therapy available?
Yes. Telehealth therapy is available for eligible clients located in California. Online counseling can be especially helpful during the postpartum period when childcare, transportation, recovery, or scheduling makes attending an office appointment difficult.
Who provides postpartum counseling at Freedom Within?
Alexandra Mers, LPCC works with clients experiencing postpartum issues, birth trauma, depression, anxiety, grief, parenting struggles, and significant life transitions. Visit her therapist profile or contact Freedom Within for current availability.
How do I get started with postpartum therapy?
Call Freedom Within at (619) 363-1920 or submit an appointment request online. Our team can answer scheduling questions and help determine the next step for beginning therapy.
You do not have to navigate the postpartum period alone.
If postpartum depression, anxiety, birth trauma, grief, or major life changes are affecting how you feel, support is available. Contact Freedom Within to learn about current appointment options.
This page is intended for general educational purposes and is not a substitute for diagnosis, medical advice, or emergency mental health care. Treatment recommendations vary by individual.