Therapy For Prenatal and Postpartum Anxiety in Ontario

Perinatal anxiety can involve persistent thoughts about the health or safety of the baby, fear related to pregnancy or childbirth, difficulty tolerating uncertainty, or feeling overwhelmed by the responsibilities of parenthood. Hormonal changes, sleep deprivation, identity shifts, previous anxiety, traumatic experiences, fertility challenges, or lack of support can all contribute to anxiety symptoms.

Research suggests that anxiety symptoms during the perinatal period are very common, with many individuals experiencing increased stress, worry, or emotional overwhelm during pregnancy and early parenthood.

Perinatal anxiety can affect emotional wellbeing, thoughts, physical health, and daily functioning. Symptoms can appear during pregnancy, shortly after birth, or gradually throughout the postpartum period.

Common symptoms include:

• Excessive worry or constant anxious thoughts 
• Racing thoughts or difficulty “turning your mind off” 
• Feeling on edge or unable to relax 
• Difficulty sleeping, even when tired 
• Persistent fear that something bad might happen 
• Intrusive or distressing thoughts 
• Feeling overwhelmed by daily responsibilities 
• Difficulty concentrating or feeling mentally exhausted 
• Irritability or increased emotional sensitivity 
• Physical symptoms such as muscle tension, headaches, nausea, or rapid heart rate 
• Repeatedly checking on the baby or seeking reassurance 
• Avoiding situations that feel stressful or unpredictable 

If anxiety symptoms are affecting your quality of life, perinatal anxiety therapy can help.

I use an integrative therapy approach to treat perinatal anxiety, combining evidence-based therapies to support emotional wellbeing, reduce worry, and strengthen coping skills. Evidence-based approaches such as CBT, ACT, DBT skills, Interpersonal Psychotherapy, and EMDR Therapy can help reduce symptoms, improve emotional wellbeing, and support recovery. Treatment is tailored to your unique experiences, stage of pregnancy or postpartum recovery, and personal goals.