Prenatal & Postpartum Adjustment
The journey into and through motherhood invites us to experience intense love and joy, but it also touches our most raw and vulnerable parts. We may experience worries of not being good enough or fears of losing our identity. The practical challenges of becoming a parent (such as breastfeeding and balancing work and home) can be particularly difficult and overwhelming when sleep deprived. Even the strongest/most capable among us sometimes experience stressors that challenge our ability to cope.
A safe space to be yourself
The poet John O’Donohue once wrote that our greatest longing is to be seen. I have a warm, accepting style that encourages you to process painful feelings and experiences and move toward healing and growth. My approach is creative and collaborative— based on your unique experience, strengths, and challenges. I work with you to understand the underlying issues that are contributing to the stress you experience as a mom. I can help you peel back the layers of anxiety and doubt to explore and reconnect with your most authentic self. I will work with you to increase self-awareness, understand your emotional triggers, and develop loving and open relationships within your family.
As a therapist and mother, I understand how difficult it can be to take time for yourself when you may feel like you are barely keeping up with the demands of life and motherhood. But I also know that taking the time now, to increase self-awareness can move you beyond mere survival and transform your experience of motherhood. I invite you to discover meaning in your new role as a mother, connect with inner strengths and wisdom and recreate harmony and meaning in your life.
Postpartum Anxiety & Depression
Are you a new mother in San Jose struggling with anxiety or depression during the postpartum period? Are you feeling on edge and overwhelmed? You’re not alone in your struggles. As much as 15% of women can experience symptoms of Postpartum Depression.
You don’t have to brave it all alone. Therapy during the postpartum months can make a real difference to your wellbeing and to your relationship with your new baby.
The struggles of postpartum depression and anxiety
For many women, the period after birth is difficult and stressful. You try to listen to the advice of your doctor and sleep when the baby sleeps, but your energy makes you restless and by the time you fall asleep, it is time to feed your baby again. When you finally surrender to the exhaustion, your sleep can often be anxiety-ridden and disturbed by unwanted thoughts.
You might feel that you barely recognize yourself when you look in the mirror. You vaguely remember a time when you felt strong and capable. Maybe you are thinking, “I can’t do this,” and then feel guilty and ashamed for even having that thought.
You thought it would feel more natural. You may have been so excited for this baby, and now you feel isolated and detached. You may fear you are not a good enough mother. You might be worried that if you share your thoughts out loud, your worst fears will be confirmed.
Taking care of yourself so you can take care of your baby
I understand how difficult it is to come and talk to someone when it feels you barely have time to shower. It’s probable that the only thing you really want to do is get a good night’s sleep. However, I have found that when you share what is in the darkest recesses of your mind, you find relief. And with that relief comes sleep. By expressing and verbalizing your most painful emotions, these emotions become more manageable.
My approach is warm and collaborative, based on your unique strengths and individual challenges. I provide compassionate and knowledgeable support so that you can work through painful feelings and challenge unhealthy thoughts that fuel anxiety. I will support you in taking practical steps to relieve symptoms of postpartum anxiety and depression, so you can first take care of yourself.
You can’t pour out of an empty glass. Once you find some relief and feel like yourself again, it will be easier to increase your connection with your baby and your partner. In therapy, you will explore meaning in your new role as a mother, connect with your inner strengths and wisdom, and recreate harmony and meaning in your life.
Reach out
If you or someone you love is struggling during the period after giving birth, please reach out for support in San Jose, CA. Feel free to call me for a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation.
Miscarriage
Are you feeling raw and emotionally vulnerable after a miscarriage? Are you having trouble focusing and being present? You may try to go on as if nothing has happened, but then feel empty inside.
According to the CDC, it’s estimated that 10-15 in 100 pregnant women will experience a miscarriage during the course of their lives. If you’ve experienced a miscarriage, you may be struggling to cope with your feelings of grief, pain, and sadness. A miscarriage can be a heartbreaking and lonely experience. Many women have not publicized the fact they were pregnant even to close family members and feel a sense of isolation as they struggle to process their emotions without the support of family or friends. You may feel completely alone and overwhelmed with sadness and anger and a laundry list of what if’s.
Women after a miscarriage are often placed in a unique position where their feelings of sorrow and loss are not acknowledged by those around them. Many women have not publicized the fact they were pregnant even to close family members and feel a sense of isolation as they struggle to process their emotions. Doctors often treat the issue as a purely medical one and may not appreciate the emotional burden of the loss. Women grieving from a miscarriage or stillbirth often miss the emotional benefits of a funeral or other grieving rituals.
How therapy can help after a miscarriage
When you feel alone and adrift, it can be helpful to reach out and have someone to support you in both your grief and your healing. Often we don’t want to burden those around us with our darkest emotions, but having someone who can sit with you through your pain can lead to healing and growth. A therapist can walk beside you on your journey through grief, allowing space for sadness and anger and guilt.
In therapy, I support you in processing your feelings and reconnecting with life. By acknowledging and even embracing these painful emotions, you re-open your heart to hope, love, and calm. I provide a supportive, comforting space where you can explore your feelings without fear of judgment. My warm, collaborative approach to therapy is about helping you make even your most painful experiences a part of your journey of personal growth and development.
In therapy, I support you in processing your feelings and reconnecting with life. By acknowledging and even embracing these painful emotions, you re-open your heart to hope, love, and calm. I provide a supportive, comforting space where you can explore your feelings without fear of judgment. My warm, collaborative approach to therapy is about empowering you and helping you integrate your loss into your life journey of personal growth and development.
Reach out for help
To find out more or to schedule an appointment in San Jose, contact Dani Salzer, MFT today. You can reach her by phone or by filling out the contact form.
The Next Steps
Call (408) 763-3003 now to make an appointment with me, or simply fill reach out via the contact form. I welcome all parents and families journeying through parenthood including LGBTQ community and parents through adoption or surrogacy.