Perinatal Mental Health Therapy In duxbury

I’m sure you have heard of adolescence, the developmental transition from childhood to adulthood. Few people talk about matrescence, the equally profound transition into motherhood, including: preconception, pregnancy and birth, adoption or surrogacy, postpartum and beyond.

Matrescence describes the emotional, psychological, hormonal and identity changes that occur when someone becomes a mother. Just as adolescence reshapes who we are, matrescence can bring shifts in identity, relationships, priorities and sense of self.

Understanding matrescence helps normalize the complex emotional and physical experience of becoming a parent. It reminds us that motherhood is not just a life event- it’s a developmental transition.

Becoming a parent can be beautiful- and it can also feel overwhelming, isolating or unlike anything you expected. If you are feeling anxious, irritable, disconnected or not like yourself, you are not alone!

Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders are the most common complications of pregnancy and postpartum. Research shows that approximately 1 in 5 women experience anxiety or depression during pregnancy or after birth.

These challenges are not a reflection of your love, strength or capacity as a parent. They are treatable conditions- not personal failures. With support, healing and personal growth are possible.

• Changes in identity or career direction

• Feeling overwhelmed by new responsibilities

• Constant worry or racing thoughts

• Loss of interest, joy or pleasure in things you used to enjoy

• Feelings of guilt, shame or hopelessness

• Irritability , rage or scary unwanted thoughts

• Disturbances of sleep and appetite beyond normal newborn patterns

• Birth trauma symptoms

• Relationship strain or shifts

• Loss of identity or grief for parts of life that have changed

• Grief related to fertility, miscarriage or birth experiences

As a trained perinatal mental health therapist, I provide therapy that is compassionate, steady and grounded in evidence-based care. I believe all mothers or aspiring mothers deserve a space where they can say the hard things out loud- the anxious thoughts, the anger, the grief, the ambivalence- without fear of judgment.

My work integrates:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

- to help manage anxious thoughts, guilt and unhelpful belief patterns

Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)

-particularly effective for role transitions and relationship distress

Attachment-Based and Psychodynamic approaches

- to explore deeper emotional patterns and early relational experiences

Nervous System Regulation Skills

- practical tools to reduce anxiety, improve emotional regulation and restore a greater sense of safety in your body