Virtual Postpartum Depression Counseling Services in Alaska
What are Perinatal & Postpartum Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs)?
Pregnant persons and their partners experience unique mental health changes and symptoms compared to the general population.
Perinatal and Postpartum Mental Health Quick Facts:
1 in 5 pregnant persons experience depression or anxiety during the perinatal/postpartum period.
1 out of 10 men experience depression and anxiety during the perinatal/postpartum period.
About 50% of women receive counseling for postpartum depression.
Men are less likely to seek mental health support for PMADs.
These data are from Postpartum Support International (PSI); the prevalence rate of perinatal and postpartum disorders is likely undercounted.
Pregnancy brings a wave of new emotions, feelings, sensations, fears, worries, joys, and surprises.
Postpartum mental health struggles do not reflect personal failure or shortcoming; PMADs do not discriminate by ethnicity or socioeconomic status.
Perinatal / Postpartum Mood and Anxiety Disorders simply happen at random.
Learn more: Perinatal and Postpartum Mental Health (7 Ways to Promote Perinatal Mental Health)
Signs and Symptoms of PMADs
PMADs may present with some, or all of these symptoms:
Increase feelings of irritability, anger, rage, sadness, or restlessness
Somatic symptoms such as nausea, upset stomach, headaches, or muscle pains
Loss of interest in hobbies or activities which used to bring joy
Difficulty or doubting ability to bond with the baby
Changes in weight or appetite (unexpected weight changes)
Intense fear or worry about harming the baby
Not letting appropriate people hold the baby, such as a partner or family member due to fear (when there is no actual threat)
Trouble maintaining personal hygiene
Difficulty following conversations, concentrating, or focusing
Sleeping too much or too little
Isolating oneself from family, friends, and community groups
Fear of harming oneself, thoughts of suicide
If you notice thoughts involving self-harm, harming the baby, or hearing/seeing things that are not real, contact help immediately using the 988 Crisis hotline, have someone take you to the nearest emergency room, or contact your physician.
Thoughts of suicide, self-harm, harming others, or psychosis require *immediate* treatment.
How Does Therapy Help Perinatal / Postpartum Mental Health?
Treatment for PMADs include traditional “talk therapy,” medication, or a combination of both.
Counseling services for perinatal / postpartum depression, anxiety, or OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder) help process difficult emotions, low/sad mood, worries about the future, traumatic experiences, loss, stress management, or self-doubt.
Other common issues perinatal and postpartum populations seek help with through counseling include education on mental health changes, coping skills, emotional processing, setting and maintaining boundaries, and cultivating healthy relationships and conflict resolution.
Stellar Insight Counseling provides online individual therapy services to men, women, and non-binary adults who are trying to get pregnant, currently pregnant, experiencing pregnancy loss, or struggling with the postpartum period.
Postpartum anxiety, depression, and OCD are treatable.
The postpartum period for mental health risks ranges from up to two years after delivery (or miscarriage or stillbirth).
Meet the Therapist:
My name is Nicole Zegiestowsky M.S., (she/her), and I am a pre-licensed telehealth therapist under the supervision of Psychologist Dr. Ekstrom (she/her) (#125200, #196093). I hold a Master’s in Clinical Psychology from the University of Alaska, Anchorage.
Learn more about my clinical training and qualifications.
I am currently completing requirements towards the Perinatal Mental Health Certification (PMH-C), which means I have specialized clinical training regarding the mental health changes associated with pregnancy, postpartum period, pregnancy loss, difficulty conceiving, abortion, and family planning.
I am a LGBTQ+ and ADHD/Autism affirming provider.
Our work will begin by conducting a biopsychosocial evaluation which will inform diagnosis, therapeutic goals, and treatment planning.
I use a humanistic, feminist, strengths-based, trauma-informed approach and draw from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), and attachment theory.
Contact me today for a free 20-minute initial consultation.
If you believe we may be a good fit together, I can’t wait to hear from you.
Disclaimer:
This information is provided as general knowledge and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from your own healthcare providers. Always consult with your own healthcare providers regarding your unique health situation.
If you have thoughts about suicide or harming another individual contact het 988 Crisis Line, have someone take you to the nearest emergency room, or contact your physician.