Maternal Mental Health

Motherhood & Mental Health

Becoming a mother is a complex life transition rife with significant physical and psychological changes. The transition is so significant that the term “matrescence” was coined by medical anthropologists to describe the developmental passage one undergoes from pre-conception, pregnancy and delivery, surrogacy or adoption, to the postnatal period, and onward. Although the potential for growth and positive change is boundless, the accelerated pace and multitude of adjustments mothers face throughout this developmental trajectory can result in feelings of worry, guilt, shame, and grief, just to name a few.

In the process of welcoming and learning to care for another vulnerable human being, mothers are simultaneously grappling with foundational shifts to their identities, bodies, relationships, work, communities, and beyond. It may come as no surprise then that many parents experience mild mood changes during or after the birth of a child and that 15-20% of women experience more significant symptoms of depression or anxiety (Postpartum Support International, 2022). Symptoms may manifest anytime during pregnancy or in the months following the birth of a child.

Postpartum Depression Treatment

Becoming a mother is often imagined as a time of unmitigated joy, but in reality, it is a profoundly disorganizing experience. The self, once familiar, is now split between an old identity and a new one, often in ways that evoke unconscious conflicts, past wounds, and existential anxieties. Postpartum depression, rather than being a mere biochemical imbalance, is often an expression of these profound shifts—of losses that accompany growth, of grief that shadows transformation. A mother may find herself flooded with sadness, inexplicable guilt, or an unshakable sense of inadequacy, all of which can be difficult to articulate in a culture that idealizes maternal devotion. Therapy provides an essential space for metabolizing these feelings, exploring their origins, and understanding them not as personal failures but as part of a deeply human, deeply relational process. By engaging in reflective work—often integrating relational, attachment-based, and psychodynamic perspectives—mothers can come to recognize not only the sources of their suffering but also the resilience embedded in their struggles.

Prenatal Depression Treatment

Depression during pregnancy is often met with silence, as if the anticipation of a child should preclude any feelings of despair. And yet, pregnancy is a time of profound psychic upheaval, in which unconscious conflicts about dependency, separation, and identity often surface with startling intensity. For many women, the expectation of motherhood stirs old attachment wounds, unresolved grief, or fears about their capacity to care for another. Depression in this context is not simply a symptom to be eliminated but a message to be understood—an invitation to explore the meaning of these anxieties, to grieve what must be left behind, and to construct a narrative of motherhood that feels more authentic. Therapy offers a space to think about these struggles rather than just suffer through them, to recognize how early relational patterns may shape one’s experience of pregnancy, and to work toward a greater sense of psychic integration. When this kind of reflective work is undertaken, the transition to motherhood—while never simple—can become more bearable, even transformative.

Serving Carlsbad, Encinitas, and Vista

At Coastal Therapy Group, we understand that motherhood is a deeply personal journey—one that can bring both joy and unexpected emotional challenges. In our warm and inviting offices in Carlsbad, Encinitas, and Vista, we provide a supportive space where you can process the complexities of pregnancy, postpartum, and the evolving identity of motherhood. Whether you are seeking help for postpartum depression, anxiety, birth trauma, or the daily struggles of balancing caregiving with your own needs, our experienced therapists are here to listen with compassion and guide you toward healing with respect and care.

Take the First Step

Seeking support during pregnancy or postpartum is not a sign of weakness—it is an act of strength and self-care. If you are struggling with anxiety, depression, birth trauma, or the emotional complexities of motherhood, we are here to help. At Coastal Therapy Group, we offer a compassionate space where you can explore your feelings, find relief, and reconnect with yourself.

Contact us today to schedule an appointment or learn more about our maternal mental health services in Carlsbad, Encinitas, and Vista. You don’t have to navigate this journey alone—together, we can create a path toward healing, balance, and a motherhood experience that feels more supported and sustainable.