Therapy for Prenatal and Postpartum Anxiety, OCD, Depression & more
Real healing from real moms. Judgement-free support from specialized therapists who’ve been through the trenches just like you.
In Sacramento, CA and online throughout California
There’s no other stage of life quite like the perinatal period
Beautiful, transformative, life-changing
And yet so isolating, anxiety-inducting, and filled with guilt
Whether you’re nervous about welcoming your first child into the world, or feeling overwhelmed by the new addition or your 2nd, 3rd, or beyond, the strains of motherhood can feel lonely and all-consuming.
If you’re endlessly overwhelmed, overstimulated, and always feeling like there’s something you’re failing at, you’re not the only one. Our compassionate perinatal therapists are here to listen, walk beside you, and empower you to become the mom you’ve always envisioned becoming.
We were never meant to do it alone
Every mom deserves a village
What do perinatal mental health struggles look like?
Symptoms vary from one person to another, but generally include some of the following:
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constantly worrying about your baby or what might go wrong
feeling irritable, on edge, or restless, often resulting in difficulty sleeping
not trusting anyone else to watch or hold your baby
chronic nausea, headaches, dizziness, or other physical symptoms that don’t have a clear medical cause
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feeling depressed or hopeless
feeling detached from your baby or having trouble feeling bonded with them
frequent tearfulness, crying spells, or irritability
trouble sleeping or wanting to sleep all the time
difficulty experiencing joy or positive feelings
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constantly imagining worst case scenarios involving your baby
spending hours researching the “right“ or “wrong“ way to do things
avoiding interacting with your baby out of fear that you’ll harm them
doing things to feel “sure“ that something bad won’t happen, like cleaning items or washing your hands extra carefully, asking for reassurance from loved ones, or reviewing the details of a situation over and over again in your mind
worrying you’re going to lose control or “snap“
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feeling lost in your new identity as a mom
worrying you won’t be yourself again
struggling to feel confident in your pregnant or postpartum body
having doubts about what your new life will look like and how it might differ from what you expected
How we help
A safe space to share everything on your mind: the good, bad, and scary. Clients often report leaving sessions feeling like a weight has been lifted from their shoulders. Being able to share your toughest thoughts and lowest moments with someone who gets it can be healing in and of itself.
Real tools to get you through your hardest moments. From learning new ways to process your emotions (because you no longer have time for journaling and skincare), to managing postpartum rage, to figuring out how the hell to just get through the day without breaking down, we offer tangible strategies to help you through it all.
Reconnection with yourself and building confidence in your new identity. “Matrescence“, or the process of becoming a mother, can hit you like a truck. It changes your identity, your relationship with yourself and your body, and shifts your perspective on just about everything in life. We help you navigate these changes and learn how to rebuild confidence in your new role, without feeling like you’re losing you in the process.
Strategies for rebuilding trust in your relationship. Tired of having the same conversation over and over with your partner, or feel like they just don’t understand what it’s like to be in your shoes? We help you build communication and conflict resolution strategies that make sense for this stage of life, so that everyone can have their needs met.
Clearer mind. Restored confidence. Renewed hope.
Types of Perinatal therapy We Offer
Our approach to perinatal therapy blends genuine human connection with strategies that are backed by decades worth of research. Read below about what can you expect from each style of therapy we offer:
Strengths-based - Everything we do stems from the belief that you’re always doing the best you can with what you have. Using a strengths-based approach means we’ll spend time celebrating your wins, not just on what you’re struggling with. Showered for the first time in 4 days? Walked down the mailbox with your baby? We’re excited to hear all about it and cheer you on every step of the way.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) - Helps you better understand the connection between your thoughts, feelings, and actions. CBT is especially helpful for perinatal anxiety and depression and gives you tangible steps you can take toward improving your mental health. It’s also great for restoring your confidence as your identity shifts throughout the various stages of motherhood.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) - There are so many aspects of growing and raising a baby that are outside your control, which can lead to anxiety, guilt, grief, and many other strong emotions. ACT offers powerful strategies to help you move through every difficult moment without overly criticizing yourself or trying to change things that are unchangeable. It works especially well for perinatal anxiety and OCD.
Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy (ERP) - The gold standard for all types of OCD, including perinatal OCD. ERP is highly efficient and can help reduce the emotional distress associated with intrusive thoughts, anxiety, and all those lingering “what if“ questions.
Why choose perinatal therapy at Evoluer Counseling?
Moms who get it (because we’ve been there):
Our perinatal therapists are passionate about this work because we’ve been through similar challenges in our own motherhood journeys. We’ve been through the trenches and understand what it’s like to feel alone, hopeless, and to be constantly worried about doing something wrong. If you’re looking for a therapist who can provide professional mental health support AND relate on a deeply personal level, you’re in the right place.
“Mom shame”-free:
No matter how you choose to parent, we’re here to support you 100%. Formula from day one or breastfeeding until age 3? Wonderful. Returning to work or pivoting to become a stay at home mom? Perfect. Each mom’s journey through motherhood looks different (and this can change with each child!), and we know you’re always making the best choice for your family.
Specialized training and research-backed support:
Our perinatal therapists undergo extensive training in all things perinatal mental health to ensure they’re equipped with the knowledge, skills, and latest research to provide you with the quality care you deserve. All therapists are trained by the leading provider of perinatal mental health education, Postpartum Support International (PSI).
A safe space to share your darkest, scariest, and weirdest thoughts:
Keep picturing yourself throwing your baby down the stairs? Suddenly worried you’re secretly a child molester and just didn’t know it until now? Sometimes wonder what it would be like to run away and abandon your family at 2am? We’ve heard all this and more, and no, none of it scares us. Intrusive thoughts are an extremely common part of postpartum, but are rarely talked about because of the stigma attached to them. We know these thoughts don’t define you as a mother. Having a safe space to freely share everything that’s on your mind, big or small, can help you feel less alone. We’re here to be that sounding board for you.
Perinatal therapists At Evoluer Counseling
Jessica Michaels-Erickson, ASW
Sees moms in all stages of motherhood
Passionate about helping you discover the best version of yourself, as a mom AND as an individual
Specialties: perinatal anxiety, OCD, and depression; building self-confidence in pregnancy/postpartum; reconnecting with your partner after baby arrives
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Absolutely! If you are attending sessions virtually, you are always welcome to have your baby or toddler present. For in-person sessions, babies are welcome to attend with you until they start walking/wandering. It may still be possible to have them present even beyond this stage, although we ask that you discuss the risks and benefits of this with your therapist when it becomes relevant.
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Always! We know your time is precious and that you want to keep your baby’s feeding schedule consistent. You’re welcome to feed your baby in any way you need during your sessions.
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Yes! If leaving the house feels too daunting or inconvenient at the moment (we totally get it), you’re more than welcome to opt for virtual sessions. We can hold virtual sessions for anyone in California.
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Yes! Our office is located in the quiet Sacramento neighborhood of Campus Commons. Our building offers a stroller-friendly layout, ample parking, and we’re stocked with diapers and wipes in case you need to conduct a mid-session diaper change.
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The vast majority of the time, the answer is no. Having thoughts about harming your baby can be terrifying and isolating. We know that having these thoughts almost never means you’re actually a danger to your baby. It is very common for moms to report having scary, intrusive thoughts about harming their baby, and we don’t report thoughts alone. If there is ever a situation where your thoughts are accompanied by an actual desire or intention to harm your child, we will work with you to create a plan that prioritizes everyone’s safety. Rest assured that as perinatal professionals, we’re trained in knowing the difference between intrusive thoughts and an actual desire to harm your child.
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Absolutely! Many moms comes to us not because they’re currently experiencing symptoms, but because they’ve struggled with anxiety, depression, or OCD in the past and want to prevent developing any of these issues postpartum. We can help you build (or rebuild) your coping skills and resources so you’re set up for success once baby arrives.